Using last year's seeds?

[MammaG]

I got a ton of seeds last year and only planted a few. Packages have been in the fridge since then, taped closed. They're marked for sale by 11/09.

Think I can use them again or should I just get new ones?

On a related note...how do you avoid wasting so many seeds? I only need like 5 tomato seeds of each variety to get a good strong plant for my bucket, you know? Do people give the remainder away on craigslist or something? I hate spending all that $ and wasting perfectly good seeds.

[Owen'nZoe]

You can absolutely reuse them! Some seeds don't keep well (like parsnips), but most will keep for a few years.

I keep my seeds in a tupperware container in the fridge, and am trying really hard to use up some stock I still have from 2007. I also swap seeds with a friend in the neighborhood. That way we both get to try more varieties than we would on our own, and we don't waste seeds. You may also be able to find a seed swap in your area if you don't have any gardening friends to share with.

[cschick]

The only problem with old seeds is that their rate of germination starts to decrease after a few years.

I tend to get good germination for about 3 years, and I just store my seed packets on a shelf in the garage. I was trying to germinate some hot pepper seeds this year that were older (5 years), and they have just failed to germinate at all--although, the bell pepper seeds I bought this year have also failed to germinate at all in the same tray. Last year the hot pepper seeds from the same packet were fine.

[HeatherAtHome]

What would be the best way to store seeds from year to year?

[DirtRoadMama]

The suggestion I've seen is to store them in those black plastic film canisters with a little silica gel packet (the ones that come in purses and shoes). Then put those in the freezer. Of course, make sure you label and date them.