Am I the only gardener who thinks that when she buys a packet of seeds, she needs to plant the entire packet ? 🌱❤️ - ThreadSky

peggybrava.bsky.social • 14 days ago

Am I the only gardener who thinks that when she buys a packet of seeds, she needs to plant the entire packet ?
🌱❤️

Comments

thriftstorebarbie.bsky.social•13 days ago

It depends on the seed for me. If it was from an exchange or an experimental species, whole pack will get processed due to lack of germination tests. For well established vegetable lines, I only plant what will give me the amount I need to grow. I have a seed fridge for the rest.

sleepycatnatives.bsky.social•13 days ago

Exactly!

falkirkbairnexiled.bsky.social•13 days ago

No, I once had to find spaces for 160 primroses due to that habit!

mmmarvalous.bsky.social•13 days ago

🤣🤣🤣 me too!

jacquik63.bsky.social•13 days ago

I do- that way I always think I might have a chance of growing at least 1!

nathistnativeplan.bsky.social•13 days ago

I thought that was the rule.

peggybrava.bsky.social•13 days ago

I see so many people only planting some of the packet, then storing the leftovers for the following years. Some have seed boxes and tins filled with half emptied seed packets. Seeds only stay viable for a few years, eh? 🌱🤷‍♀️

flaurafauna.bsky.social•13 days ago

It depends. Germination rates go down fast for alliums & carrots. Brassicas are generally ok for about 3 or 4 years. However, loads of seeds will last quite a long time if stored properly

raywolf.bsky.social•13 days ago

Just plant a few extras to account for the lower germination rate. 😁

truebluetexan24.bsky.social•13 days ago

Store them in the refrigerator you will be surprised.

danh0164id.bsky.social•13 days ago

most times i wouldnt have room for all the sprouts, would be uprooting the ones i couldnt use.
so, sadly this is me with storage containers of seeds.
do go through and clean out every year.
storing in fridge sounds interesting.
then i think i need to buy new seeds in case old dont germinate.

lwballard.bsky.social•13 days ago

If the storage is cool, dry, and oxygen free seeds are viable for up to 10 years. So, a sealed freezer container with a packet of desiccant and kept in the freezer works perfectly. Last year I planted Long Pie Pumpkin seeds that I collected and dried in 2013. 90% germination.

danh0164id.bsky.social•13 days ago

may need to rethink my seed storage then.
thanks so much for the info.

lwballard.bsky.social•13 days ago

Yeah, carrots and a few others seem to be more like 5 year seeds but will still have some viability (80% or so) after that and some are up to 20 year seeds. Anyway, desiccant packets, airtight containers, and a freezer and the survival rate is quite high.

plantsndogs.bsky.social•13 days ago

Depends on the type of seed. The little itty bitty guys? Nah… throw it all in. The massive sunflower seeds I harvested? I’m going on year 2 with those.

philosopherjul.bsky.social•13 days ago

I think it really depends on what you're planting. I can only manage so many of most things. I do tend to be a seed saver, I only plant so many. They can last longer if stored well. But yes, germination rates drop. If you have the space and can maintain keep planting away!

leemacl8.bsky.social•13 days ago

I have herb seeds I bought in Italy in 2005. Mostly kept vacuum sealed in freezer. Just grew basil, still perfect germination!

katydiddance.bsky.social•13 days ago

I succession plant. So e ery few weeks I put seeds to grow somewhere between a cultivator, greenhouse and the ground. I also try yo grow year round. So, I don't use all the seeds ar once. I do mark each packet w/year date. Test 3+yrs old seeds on damp towels for viability.

hippiesalad.bsky.social•13 days ago

Guilty 🙋‍♀️

rudiev.bsky.social•13 days ago

Same, mostly. Though it depends on how many seeds are in the packet. I've noticed that newer tomato varieties, they only give you maybe 10 to 15 seeds, if that. Basil, on the other hand, where the seeds are quite small, a single packet is more than I need for the year so I save the rest.

alexsolla.bsky.social•13 days ago

Pretty sure all my seed packets say: Serving size = one packet. 😄

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