How long are flower seeds viable?

I bought some flower seeds this year (spring), and was wondering if I have to start them indoors this winter, or will they be good until next spring if I store them in the refrigerator? I can't give names, I have literally HUNDREDS of different kinds left over from plants I started. How long will they be good?

How long are flower seeds viable?
How Long Will My Seeds Last?



Most seeds, based on the number of years they will produce, can be divided into three categories;



Short Life - The seeds of the vegetables in this category will last for a maximum of two seasons - corn, leeks, rhubarb, parsnip and parsley.



Medium Life - These seeds will most often last from two to three years - Asparagus, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, peppers, radish, spinach, turnip and watermelon.



Long Life - Tomatoes, eggplant and cucumber all last three to five seasons.



Some of the varieties may last longer or not as long as the times mentioned above. When you plant your seeds after the recommended time frame, you will still get some activity but, the results will not be as vigorous. Before you order your plant seeds you should have your garden planned and you should know exactly where each plant will be planted in your garden. You should already know how many seeds you would need to accomplish your well thought out garden plans. The more you know about your garden before you plant your first seed, the better your entire garden will be and the better your crop will be.



It is best if you choose plants and vegetables that are native to your part of the country. These native seeds will produce a better crop because they have, for centuries, adapted to that particular region.



How to Store Your Left-Over Seeds



I'm sure you have some seeds left over every year when you get through planting you garden(s). The way you store these seeds will determine if you are able to get the seeds to produce when you do plant them. Seeds that are poorly stored - in warm, moist conditions - will most likely be diseased and they will not give you the harvest that is expected. It is best to store your unused seed in an airtight container and put in a cool, dry place as soon as you can after opening. They will last for several years if storage is done properly.



When you store your see during the winter months, keep them in a place that has humidity of 45% or less and a mean temperature of 40 to 50 degrees. If they are kept in these ideal conditions your seeds will last their assigned life span - or longer - and produce plentiful harvests year after year
Reply:storeing them in the freezer would be better. some last a long time.
Reply:My mom recently gave me a few four o'clock seeds from my great grandmothers farm. She had them in an old pill bottle, and marked the collection year as 1974, when I was but 2 years old. I have 3 beautiful plants growing and flowering now. I'd say it depends on the seeds and the method of storage.
Reply:Mine has expirations dates on them, so I know. Well the only way to know is to keep them in different conditions. And when you plant them if they don't grow you'd know that was not the right keeping condition.
Reply:Depends entirely on the species and storage conditions. All of the common garden flowers that you find in commercial packets will last at least a year at 50oF and 50% relative humidity. You'll double the lifespan of the seed for each 10oF or 10% RH you decrease in storage conditions, down to about 10% RH or 30oF.



Store your packets cool and dry in the refrigerator (a veggie crisper isn't a bad choice for temperature) -- I prefer paper packets in a sealed glass or plastic container.

Teeth Problems