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Seed Viability Chart

Ever wondered how long you can save your seeds and have them still be viable? We've created this chart to help you determine the longevity of your seeds.

Proper seed storage conditions are cool and dark. The moisture content within the seed greatly affects germination rates. Seeds should be stored in their original packaging in a cool (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), dark place where their moisture content will stay relatively stable. Here at High Mowing we keep our seed cooler at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit with less than 40% humidity.

Seed Type	Longevity Under Proper Seed Storage Conditions
Artichokes	5 years
Arugula	3 years
Beans	3 years
Beets	4 years
Brrocoli	3 years
Brussels Sprouts	4 years
Cabbage	4 years
Carrots	3 years
Cauliflower	4 years
Celery/Celeriac	5 years
Chard	4 years
Collards	5 years
Corn	2 years
Cress	5 years
Cucumbers	5 years
Eggplant	4 years
Endive/Escarole	5 years
Fennel	4 years
Kale	4 years
Kohlrabi	4 years
Leeks	1 year
Lettuce	5 years
Melons	5 years
Mustard	4 years
Okra	2 years
Onions	1 year
Peas	3 years
Peppers	2 years
Pumpkins	4 years
Radish	5 years
Rutabagas	4 years
Spinach	1 year
Summer Squash	4 years
Tomatoes	4 years
Turnips	5 years
Watermelon	4 years
Winter Squash	4 years

Tags: gardening, organic, seeds

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Comment by Steve Racz on January 22, 2012 at 7:45pm: I've just recently successfully sown saved lettuce and tomato seeds which were both 6 years old and were not kept in any conditions as precise as suggested by High Mowing Organic Seeds so, I think YMMV and the above is probably a very informed guideline, but I wouldn't throw out seed based on it.

Comment by Sharon Carson on January 18, 2012 at 12:29pm: 35 years ago when, We lived in New Mexico We came across a 3 gallon tine of pinto beans that had been stored in an abandoned house for 20 years . We dumped them out thinking they could not possibly be any good... under the drip line of the adobe house . Right after the next rain they all sprouted! What a waste! but it shows how resilient seeds are. I have sprouted tomato seeds 10 years old though most of them did not sprout. :)Sharon

Comment by Cornelia on December 1, 2011 at 9:38am: This is great - thanks! What about silica packets to keep moisture under control? Would you recommend using them?