out what to grow this year, I remembered that several years ago I grabbed a number of seed packets out of a 'free' pile at a chicken keeping workshop.I went and found the packets - quite a few of them - and saw that they were all stamped with "03". So that means I've got at least a dozen 7-year-old seed packets on my hands.
Rather than just throwing them all out, I thought I may as well do a quick test to see if they were still viable. I started with the radishes, thinking that if the seeds were in fact still good, I could try an early planting.
I assembled the necessary components; seeds, paper towels, plastic bag, and plant mister.
I sprinkled about a dozen seeds on the moistened paper towel, folded it up, placed it into the plastic bag, and waited.
Less than 48 hours later I took a peak and much to my surprise found that every single seed had sprouted!
A little bit of research has since told me that radishes are known for their high germination rates - but 100% germination of 7-year-old seeds is still really impressive!
Finding all the seeds so happy, I went and popped the sprouted seeds into the prepared raised bed next to the lettuce seeds that had been planted a few days before.
No signs of green yet - hopefully I'm not pushing my luck too much planting them this early!
