Old seeds...REALLY OLD SEEDS !
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:37 am
I found a stash of flower seeds from 1962, and vegetable seeds from 1968.
They were in a hall closet, still in the box Burpee sent them in !
The seeds I can see look fine to me. The only disappointment I have in the find is that there are no tomato seeds...oh well.
The first question I have is obvious. Will they grow ?
Secondly, if they do, how can I save some of the harvest for seed to grow next season should I like the variety?
Here's what I found:
FLOWER SEEDS: (all are unopened and from Fredonia, Asgro or American Seed Co.)
Candytuft; Calendula (pacific beauty); Forget Me Not (chinese blue); Bachelor's Button (double); Coleus; Sweet William; Carnation (chabaud giant); Morning Glory (heavenly blue); Cosmos (sensation); Spencer Sweet Peas; Celosia (toreador/cockscomb); Scabiosa (giant); Zinnia (super giant); Sazvia (tall bonfire)1969.
Some of the packets are labeled "TREATED WITH CHLORANIL DO NOT FEED".
VEGETABLE SEEDS: (some opened, some not)
Burpee:
Beet: Redhart; Red Ball; White
Carrot: Half-Long Nantes; Gold Pak.
Cantelope: Crenshaw-early hybrid; Hybrid.
Onion: Yellow Globe Hybrid.
Radish: Cherry Belle: White; Sparkler.
Lettuce: Bibb.
Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant.
Watermelon: Fordhook Hybrid; New Hampshire Midget.
Pumpkin: Small Sugar; Big Max.
Pole Lima Bean; Burpees Best.
Bush Beans: Improved Tendergreen; Tender Pod; Stringless Green-Pod; Brittle Wax.
Sweet Corn: Golden Beauty Hybrid; Barbecue Hybrid.
American Seed Co.:
Butternut Squash; American Wonder Peas.
We plowed about 12 acres or more when I was a teen. We filled 4 huge chest freezers, and a pantry not including the stuff we gave away to family and friends or ate fresh. I didn't really pay attention though. I saw the work as keeping me away from the girls at the swimmin hole! I just did what Mom & Pop told me to do....ugh. I can still hear that JD L goin putt putt ! I like dabbling in gardening now, but don't have much real knowledge in this area. Anybody have any advice? How about knowledge or memories of the different varieties listed? Perhaps some of the ladies will have something to share about the post as well?
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post but I know I am in the right place for asking questions and getting help !
Thanks, Marion
They were in a hall closet, still in the box Burpee sent them in !
The seeds I can see look fine to me. The only disappointment I have in the find is that there are no tomato seeds...oh well.
The first question I have is obvious. Will they grow ?
Secondly, if they do, how can I save some of the harvest for seed to grow next season should I like the variety?
Here's what I found:
FLOWER SEEDS: (all are unopened and from Fredonia, Asgro or American Seed Co.)
Candytuft; Calendula (pacific beauty); Forget Me Not (chinese blue); Bachelor's Button (double); Coleus; Sweet William; Carnation (chabaud giant); Morning Glory (heavenly blue); Cosmos (sensation); Spencer Sweet Peas; Celosia (toreador/cockscomb); Scabiosa (giant); Zinnia (super giant); Sazvia (tall bonfire)1969.
Some of the packets are labeled "TREATED WITH CHLORANIL DO NOT FEED".
VEGETABLE SEEDS: (some opened, some not)
Burpee:
Beet: Redhart; Red Ball; White
Carrot: Half-Long Nantes; Gold Pak.
Cantelope: Crenshaw-early hybrid; Hybrid.
Onion: Yellow Globe Hybrid.
Radish: Cherry Belle: White; Sparkler.
Lettuce: Bibb.
Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant.
Watermelon: Fordhook Hybrid; New Hampshire Midget.
Pumpkin: Small Sugar; Big Max.
Pole Lima Bean; Burpees Best.
Bush Beans: Improved Tendergreen; Tender Pod; Stringless Green-Pod; Brittle Wax.
Sweet Corn: Golden Beauty Hybrid; Barbecue Hybrid.
American Seed Co.:
Butternut Squash; American Wonder Peas.
We plowed about 12 acres or more when I was a teen. We filled 4 huge chest freezers, and a pantry not including the stuff we gave away to family and friends or ate fresh. I didn't really pay attention though. I saw the work as keeping me away from the girls at the swimmin hole! I just did what Mom & Pop told me to do....ugh. I can still hear that JD L goin putt putt ! I like dabbling in gardening now, but don't have much real knowledge in this area. Anybody have any advice? How about knowledge or memories of the different varieties listed? Perhaps some of the ladies will have something to share about the post as well?
Anyway, sorry for the lengthy post but I know I am in the right place for asking questions and getting help !
Thanks, Marion