I’ve had many questions about how to check for whether the older flower seeds you have are still viable to plant this spring. I’ve also had comments that some big scientific explanation or process is not what most of us are looking for. So here are two quicker methods to check viability.
- Take a glass, fill it with water, then toss in up to 10 seeds from your packet. Let them soak for about 15 minutes. If they sink, they are viable, but if they float, more than likely they’re dead. I would discard them.
- Take a sheet of paper towel. Lay out ten seeds, each about an inch apart. Fold the paper towel over and moisten it (a spray bottle works for me). Now place that sheet inside a regular plastic baggie, zip it closed and make sure it’s placed somewhere warm (like on top of the fridge or near a heat vent). In 3 to 4 days (possibly up to a week) check to see if you have any sprouts. Even if only 6 or 7 of the seeds sprouted, I would use those seeds, just plant a few more than you usually do when getting your garden started.
It’s only January and I’m already excited to get started!