Tomato Seeds Lifespan?

 

Hi,

I was cleaning out some drawers and I found a packet of tomato seeds
from 1991.  Are they still viable?

If they are, is August a good time to start tomatoes in La Mesa, Ca?

Thank you for your time,

Karen R.

 



There's a decent chance, if you really want to keep that variety, and don't
have much to lose if they don't germinate.

I can't advise on Left Coast planting times, though.


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

 

The seeds will probably be fine.  Not clear on what zone you're in, but what
the heck.  Plant them and go for it.
I remember reading an article about some USDA office that had seeds in a
drawer of a desk that had been there since the '40's.  No refrigeration, no
nothing.  The seeds were over 80% viable.  Go for it!

 

Karen Rodgers wrote:

Tomato seeds are good for about 7 years.  After that, they start to
degrade, but I'll bet a few of them are still OK.  (just might not have
a lot of vigor)

August is a terrible time to start them.  Wait until March. :-)

Bob