Testing Your Forgotten Seed Packets for Life
You're digging through the garden shed and find a crumpled packet of heirloom kale seeds from three years ago—back when you still thought a perfectly edged lawn was the height of gardening success. Instead of just tossing them or risking a big, empty patch in your garden bed, you can run a quick check. This covers the "paper towel method" for testing seed viability. It's a simple trick that saves you from the frustration of waiting two weeks for sprouts that aren't ever coming.
How do you know if old seeds are still good?
Most seeds don't just "die" on a specific expiration date. Instead, their germination rate—the percentage of seeds that actually wake up and grow—slowly drops over time. Some things, like onions and parsnips, are notorious for losing their spark after just one season. Others, like tomatoes or melons, might still be raring to go after five years if they stayed cool and dry. If you aren't sure where yours stand, don't just "poke and hope" in the dirt. You'll end up with patchy rows and wasted compost.