Vegetable seeds

Georginazn

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Apr 22, 2009
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Interesting question on Gardeners Question Time yesterday.
Are supermarket veg seeds better value than those bought from specialist seed merchants?
The answers were equivocal, suggesting that supermarket quality was less definite, but pointing out that most packets are date stamped, so buyer beware.
I have an ancient gardeners tome that gives advice about seed viability, as it makes sense to only plane what you need each year, and as some packets contain hundreds of seeds it's good to know what you can keep till next year. If you store them either cool and dry, or like me, in a sealled pot in the freezer, here's an idea of some viability:
Parsnip, leek, onion ans sweetcorn - buy fresh every year
Beans, Peas, Carrots - keep for up to two years
cabbage, Sprouts, Lettuce, Tomato, Pepper - five years and more!
Of course allow a bit of running to seed and you have free seed for evermore, and are on your way to self-sufficiency!