I am intrigued by your "victory garden in a can" product. I am new to gardening and was thinking about getting it and planting some of the seeds next spring. Given the small size of our garden, I think it would take me at least 5 or 6 seasons to even experiment with all the varieties contained in the "victory garden in a can," so I was wondering how long the seeds will keep. Also, will these varieties work well in southern Michigan?

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

Answers

Hello Dan,

There are a couple of qualifications to be made when talking about viability. From my standpoint as a seed supplier, my germination rate is required to be high based on State and Federal seed standards. However, for a gardener, germ rates up to 50% can be experienced, and can be acceptable, years after a seed's sellable germination rate has passed.

Viability is also dependant on the storage conditions. If seeds are kept in a constant cool temperature with constant low humidity, they will last to their optimal life expectancy. That leads me into the final variable based on plant type. Some seeds like onions (all alliums actually) and parsnip are short lived. Most others will last 2 to 10 years with ease.

No one in the seed industry will guarantee a specific seed life because there are too many variables. It is the same as trying to predict the life expectancy of any living organism. However, there are some observed averages. One list of seed life was published by Vilmorin & Andrieux in 1885.

If you are interested, I can email you scans of the pages. Let me know. I hope that this helped answer your question.

Regards,

Mike

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2001

I have had a dafodil seed last for over 18 years. If you sit on it twice a day and have your dog lick it, it could be even longer. It's really a matter of how much love and affection you provide. XXXOOO

-- Anonymous, June 09, 2003