I have vegetable seeds left from last season that I did not plant. Will they germinate this season if I plant them? In general, for how long are vegetable seeds good?
I would guess that many of your seeds may still be viable and able to germinate. Storage conditions can improve the success ratio however. For future reference, store seeds you intend to hold over in an airtight container in a cool (40 to 45 degrees), dark place. While the viability may decrease on a sliding, downward scale over time, holding seeds for 2 to 3 years is not out of the question. When sowing these older seeds, overplant the normal rate (1-1/2 to 2 times) in the event that all the seeds do not germinate. If more come up than what you need, simply thin them out. In hindsight, if you believe your storage conditions were less than adequate, you may be further ahead to purchase new seeds. Fresh is best!