Seed viability chart
How long each seed type stays good in cool, dry, dark storage — and where your own packets land on that timeline.
Checking your seeds…
How long seeds last
The shortest-lived seeds. Buy fresh every season.
Fades fast — expect a real drop in year 3.
Stored well, these often still sprout past year 6.
No published figure for this one — assume ~3 years and test before sowing.
Count out 10 seeds, fold them into a damp paper towel, seal in a plastic bag somewhere warm (70–75°F), and check daily. Sprouted seeds ÷ 10 × 100 = your germination rate.
Under 50%? Sow twice as thick or replace the packet. Log the results in the germination tracker so you remember which brands hold up.
Storage is what really decides this: cool, dry, and dark. A sealed jar with a silica packet in the fridge can double these numbers; a hot garage shelf can halve them.