[Liparis]

Many of you are probably like myself, save seeds left over from last year. Kept in an airtight container in a cool, frost-free shed extends the life of unused seed. Stored like that you will probably still have a good germination rate the folllowing year, but now is the time to test them before it's too late and you sow unviable seeds when the time comes, you wait a couple of weeks for their emergence and nothing happens. You then spend your time running around garden centres etc looking through what's left for something to sow.
Take a small pinch of seeds and sprinkle on some blotting paper, pop it into the airing cupboard and you should see them sprout (although with the likes of carrot and other smallish seeds you might need a small maginifying glass). Don't foget to keep the blotting paper, or kitchen towel paper damp. My rule of thumb is germination down at any rate down to 50% is worth using, saves some thinning as well, 75% failure and upwards isn't really worth it. Larger seeds like peas and beans can be treated in a jar similar to sprouting seeds like alfalfa etc.
Make sure your stored seeds are viable now rather than at sowing time.
Bill.

[Her Outdoors]

Excellent tip Bill! I have been caught so often with dormant seeds, I never thought of doing that. You are a mine of information!!

[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Great tip Liparis.
Few things worse than loosing valuable time to poor germination rate seeds.
You could loose a whole years growing.
Good Irish seed supplier here.... Seedaholic

[Liparis]

You certainly could lose a whole years growing. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting, finding your seeds aren't viable and you can bet your bottom dollar that when you go to buy a packet of what you need, even in early May, they're sold out!
Bill.