I think people underrate how long seeds can last. The seeds companies also tries to shorten the estimation more so people can buy more seeds yearly. Some people say it won't be viable after a few years, but honestly they can last for a decade if not more, which is why there are seeds banks like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. I collect my tomatoes seeds, ferment it to kill possible diseases, use durable 4mil zipper bags, put in them air tight canister jars, and put it in a cool dark place (cellar or fridge).

I've been growing my seedlings in compost mixed with a light amount of general purpose slow release organic fertilizer to give them a boost when they're small. I grow all mine in seed trays, transplant them into red plastic cups with holes, wait till they are 1ft (from root base) and transplant them into soil, then mulch. It's very easy for them to get damping off at this stage, so I only keep the mix moist enough with good drainage. 1ft tall may be too early for people, but I'm lazy (or impatient) so that's how I do it.

We had some heavy rain and I left my tomato seedlings outside before transplanting them (hardening off) and they got rained on and all got septoria leaf spot (except for Cherokee Purple which somehow resisted the disease). It was very stupid because I knew tomatoes doesn't like to be wet. I read some people saying how their Cherokee Purple don't do well, I don't know where they got their seeds, but it sure grows well in Florida, they're durable with good production, it seems suited for this climate.

I have just been starting some tomatoes and two of them (big beef, sweet 100) are four or five years old. They still sprout and grow, and even though I double seed each one (old bad habit), each and every seed almost always sprouts. I have three year old zucchini where I expect to have every seed start, and a humongous bag of field marigolds that's also four or five years old keeps growing flowers but i have no idea what percentage of seeds are viable there. I think it's probably all about how you store them over the years.

Put the left-over seeds in a ziploc (better yet, a doubled ziploc with a packet of some moisture absorber -- DampRid or the like) and stash them in your fridge. When you want to use them, take them out and let the packet warm up THOROUGHLY before opening, to prevent condensation. They'll last for years with good germination rates. Some people freeze them. I do this routinely and use 3-4 year old seeds regularly. To the extent the seed companies want you to always buy fresh seed, that is entirely a marketing ploy. If you just stick them on the shelf where they are exposed to atmospheric moisture and heat, you may get two good years out of them.

More than likely, the "fresh" seed you buy has been stored at cold temps for a year or two that way.

Thanks for all the info. Being retired (early) with no trips in my immediate future, I might try starting from seed another try!

When I have a green house in the winter, I usually get lazy about going out there, then I forget about watering and all the seedlings die! (and I feel so much guilt about wasting a life! ;) )

I have a place for some lights, and a frame for a temp greenhouse, so.......maybe this year?????? Nancy

FWIW, I never had a greenhouse, couldn't justify the expense and aggravation. However, one sheet of plywood and some clear plastic corrugated roofing, four hinges, misc. hardware and you can have two cold frames. Add electric heating cables under one and you've got one cold and one hot frame. For detailed instructions buy "Crocket's Victory Garden," used at Amazon, great reference with a monthly calendar of what to do. CAUTION, he couldn't plant a radish seed without tons of chemicals....:-( Ignoring that, it's a "must" in any library if you grow veggies.

I added a further enhancement, discovered that all I was using them for was San Marzanno tomato's as they weren't available here, so gave one away. All the other veggies we use were readily available. Got to know someone who has a greenhouse and sells veggies and flower's in the spring. Long story short, I now give her the San Marzanno seeds I want, she does all the work and then sells them back to me at what she normally sells tomato plants for. Gave another cold frame away. :-)

Speaking of veggie porn, not that I am a particular fan of Burpee, but their catalog is incredible this year! Better than any other I got, even Baker's Creek.

glib! SWAOMCM (spitting wine all over my computer monitor) Nancy

I start my seeds on the bottom shelf of an old 60 gallon fish tank stand in my bedroom (the only place the stupid cat can't get to them to eat them). Old fish tank light with a grow bulb in it and I'm in business. Having it in my bedroom reminds me not to kill them - light goes on when I wake up and off when I go to bed. Who needs a greenhouse? ;)

Also, I discovered last year that our local food pantry volunteers think anyone who brings in fresh produce (like several hundred pounds of zucchini) is awesome. Unlike my neighbors. Just a thought if you go crazy like I do and grow too much.

Actually, my neighbor has a huge greenhouse he doesn't use except to over winter his cold sensitive plants! I think I'll see if it's OK to start some stuff in there?!? I can start some for him too! That'll be "rent"! Nancy

I second Humsi on the food bank idea. I volunteer at one, and it loves when it receives produce. Check for your closest food bank at http://www.feedingamerica.org.

Mallory, I used to do the extra row and give to the food bank until the drought hit. We really had to do our part to save water, so only grow for ourselves and nearby neighbors. We're hoping for el nino to kick in this year and get back to growing extra for the food bank or other projects! Nancy

If you buy in the fall, you can often get a good price since the seeds being sold are from the past season or maybe business is slow due to the cold. Anyway, I cannot resist and usually by a bunch and store them in the crisper until February when I plant indoors. This year I ordered leeks, mustard, chards, beets and cucumbers. Everything else I will buy locally.