Test your seeds to find out their germination rate!
Before ordering your new seeds, it would be useful to check with a test if your seeds still show a good germination rate.
But first of all, it's important to know that seed preservation is linked to their age as well as the conditions in which you have stored them.
For optimal preservation, I recommend storing your seed packets in a metal or cardboard box in a dark, cool, and dry place. I use an unheated room in the house and keep the door closed at all times. If you don't have such a room, you can use a cupboard or a pantry. With winter heating, conditions in our homes are naturally dry: it's important to choose a location away from heat sources.
The following table indicates the number of years seeds can be stored, depending on the species. To remember the year you purchased your seeds, it's important to mark it on each of your packets when you receive them.
Do you doubt the germination of your seeds from previous years?
You can perform a germination test to check if they germinate. Here's how to do it. Place 4 to 5 layers of newspaper in a shallow container with a rim (a Pyrex dish or pie plate will do), then cover it with a paper towel. Then arrange ten seeds from each batch you want to test without overlapping them. On a piece of paper, draw a diagram where each cultivar is clearly identified. Cover the seeds with a double paper towel, then water gently without overdoing it. You can tilt the container to drain any excess water. Place the container in a spot at a temperature of 22-23°C, which is suitable for all species. Nightshades and gourds could be tested at 28°C, a temperature that is too high for lettuce.
To maintain humidity, partially cover the container with a lid or a plastic bag, keeping it slightly ajar.
| All the seeds we sell are good for planting for at least two years. |
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After five days, you can carefully lift the paper towel to do a first count. Be careful, some seeds stick to the paper towel. You can dislodge them into the correct spot with the tip of a knife or tweezers. Generally, results for most species are obtained between 3 and 15 days, except for ground cherries which may take up to 30 days to germinate. If 10 out of 10 seeds have germinated, you can note a germination rate of 100%; a result of 9 out of 10 gives you 90%. If the seeds germinate at a lower rate, you can still adjust the density of your sowing based on that rate. If no sprouts appear, you will know that you will need to order new seeds.
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 So you understand that it's not that complicated to know the germination rate of your seeds. It's better to learn that seeds no longer germinate through a test in winter than at spring sowing!
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Good luck!Yves Gagnon for Semences du Portage |
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