This varies considerably by plant, however, and it also depends on how the seeds are stored. For smaller areas, you can spread the seed by hand, but use a spreader for larger areas. If you look on the back of your seed packet, there should be some type of dated information, at least with most reputable sources. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Some seeds will maintain high germination rates for up to five years but others, such lettuce, will lose vigor as soon as one year in storage. Once the grass seed starts to germinate, continue to keep the top two inches of soil moist until the new grass reaches mowing height (normally between 2 … Breathable packaging is best, such as a cloth sack or burlap bag. Age – All seeds stay viable for at least a year and most will be viable for two years. Conclusion. Grass seed will only germinate in moist soil conditions. Watering Grass Seed: Everything You Need to Know, Annual Ryegrass Differs From Perennial and Winter Rye Grass, Tips for Overseeding Lawns With Cool-Season Grasses, How to Harvest Cucumber Seeds From Your Garden. The factors influencing seed viability include: There is no harm in trying to use some old grass seed for top seeding or reseeding, but you should expect there to be a lower germination rate than you would enjoy with fresh turfgrass seed. Inside each plant seed is the embryo of a future plant. Many may also add rice grains to the jars to discourage the presence of moisture. You could lose all your good seed. Straight seed consists of only one type of grass and is suited to situations where you want to achieve a certain look or effect. You do not buy just any seeds. For more details, see our, How to Save Your Vegetable Seeds for Next Year. In other words, if a seed packet or box of grass seed promised that 90 percent of the seeds will germinate and sprout when fresh, it will probably drop to about 80 percent in year two, and another 10 percent each year thereafter. Check the age of the grass seed used. The shelf life of lawn grass seed depends mainly on the strength and health of the grass plants ( Poaceae ) that produced the seed and how the seed was stored after it was harvested. If you don't know what type of grass you have, consult our Identify Your Grass article. The seeds that are still able to germinate will sink to the bottom of the container while the bad seeds will remain floating on top. After ten days, check the germination of the seed. It's best to plant cool-season grasses in the late summer or early fall, 45 days before first frost. Horticultural professionals generally advise that packaged plant seeds of any kind can be expected to see a shrinkage in their germination rate of about 10 percent per year. When wondering, “will expired seeds grow,” gardeners can conduct a simple germination test. If the seed you purchased this year is retested seed harvested in 2001, you might not get very good germination next year. The viability of stored seeds of any kind are greatly influenced by storage conditions, and unfortunately, the ideal conditions for seed storage are very often exactly the opposite of how homeowners store grass seed. Depending upon the type of seeds, environmental conditions, and the manner in which the seeds have been stored, the germination rate of older seed packets may be greatly impacted. When you’re planting a garden, you want to make sure you’re not wasting time, energy, and garden space with bad seeds. You can extend its viability by keeping it out of a hot garage or shed and storing it indoors where it is cool. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. If you find yourself stuck with an expired bag of grass seed, here are some options for you. However seed that is bagged and sold later the next year will actually germinate FASTER. Place the damp paper towel into a zip-lock bag. First of all, you need to determine if you need grass that’s ideal for warm or cool season. If this isn't practical, seek out the coolest location in your home. While proper storage conditions will help to prolong the lifespan of seeds, the viability of many types of seeds will begin to decline regardless. Germination rates of at least 50% indicate a moderately viable packet of seeds. If you can’t wait until September, do it in the spring (April/May is generally best) but keep an eye out for weeds; However, all this advice is predicated on the weather. Vernon, Ohio A. How to Store Grass Seed. When wondering, “will expired seeds grow,” gardeners can conduct a simple germination test. Type – The type of seed can affect how long a seed stays viable. Yet, even then, there is no guarantee that they will still be productive for next season’s planting. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. But you may well wonder if that old grass seed is still viable, or if it has gone bad with age. Grass seed, like any other plant seed, has a finite shelf life.Grass seed stored for more than one year gradually has fewer seeds that would sprout, or germinate, if planted. The date on the seed bag should be no farther backdated than nine months from the date you planted the grass seed. How long seeds remain viable depends on the type of seed and how well it is stored. If the seeds dries out, the germ inside dies and the seed is dead. One study showed laboratory-sealed cannabis seeds were still viable after 19 years. --Don in Mt. In many cases, these seeds are stored away for safekeeping, slowly accumulating with what many the gardening community refer to as a “seed stash.” So are old seeds still good for planting or is it better to acquire more? If you’re using bag seeds then you never really know what you’re getting anyways. However, seeds do not remain alive forever. If your grass seed dries out after it has started to sprout, it will die. There are two easy tests you can take to … Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. The only problem you may have with old seed is getting rats in it. Never start your fan too close to your seeds and on the highest speed setting. The amount of seed you'll need will depend on the size of the area, the type of grass, and your climate, but the average is between 12 and 16 seeds per square inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm). Can Old Vegetable and Flower Seeds Still Be Planted? 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