Do seeds expire?

Seems everything you buy these days has an expiration date on it. Seeds however are required to have on their package the year they are packed for, and that seeds 'germination' rate. What does the germination rate mean? If the germ rate is 80%, that means for every 100 seeds you plant, only 80 are likely to germinate. (what's germinate? starting to grow) So if you want to have 10 tomato transplants and the germ rate is 80%, then plant 12 seeds. If you have had seed for a looonnngg time, try to pre-germ some early in the season to see if they are viable. Worst case scenario is to have old seed, none of which germ, which of course you realize after you already are wanting to plant them outside!

The older the seeds are, the germination rate drops as some seed types can become useless and dead over time. Keeping them in a dark, dry place will help to keep them useable. Store them in a covered container, mice and mealy moths love seeds. I try to make any important notes right on the seed pack rather than in that notebook I'll never find again.

If the seeds that you are directly seeding into the garden come in big packs, take to the garden only what you need. Too often packs can get wet, tipped over, blown over, or the ones in plastic bags get left in the sun and sweat. Ya, some of this I know from experience. I usually bring mine in a ice cream pail, with a lid, and keep it shaded. Never dig in the packets w/muddy fingers unless you are planting the whole pack. If seeds you intend to save have gotten wet, totally dry indoors on paper for several days before packing up. Wet seeds will mold.