Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Starting Seeds

Starting Seeds
It is that time of year again.  It is always a big rush of excitement to start seeds in February for the growing season ahead.  This week is a big seeding week.  With the help of some home school students we seeded the first of the tomatoes, swiss chard, kale, cabbage and spinach today.  As we were seeding I was thinking of all the home gardeners out there and whether or not they new how long seeds will store from year to year.

Here is a list of seeds and their shelf life:  (This only applies to seeds which are stored properly at a cool temperature with no moisture.)


Asparagus - 3 years
Beans - 3 years
Beets - 4 years
Broccoli - 3 years
Brussels Sprouts - 4 years
Cabbage - 4 years
Carrots - 3 years
Cauliflower - 4 years
Celeriac - 3 years
Celery - 3 years
Chard,Swiss chard - 4 years
Chicory - 4 years
Chinese Cabbage - 3 years
Collards - 5 years
Corn - 2 years
Corn Salad-(mache) - 5 years
Cress - 5 years
Cucumbers - 5 years
Eggplant - 4 years
Endive - 5 years
Kale - 4 years
Kohlrabi - 3 years
Leeks - 2 years
Lettuce - 6 years
Muskmelon - 5 years
Okra - 2 years
Onions - 1 year
Parsnips - 1 year
Peas - 3 years
Peppers - 2 years
Radishes - 5 years
Rutabagas - 4 years
Salsify - 1 year
Scorzonera - 2 years
Sorrel - 4 years
Southern Peas - 3 years
Spinach - 3 years
Squash & Pumpkins - 4 years
Tomatoes - 4 years
Turnips - 4 years
Watermelon - 4 years

Even if your seed is old it might still germinate but the germination rate drastically decreases after the above length of time.

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Happy seeding to you all,
Erica

Onions planted last week in the greenhouse.

The first seeds to germinate this season are the basil seeds.

Betty the kitty supermodel waking from her nap in the greenhouse.

Flowers always make you feel happy even on a cloudy day.