I've noticed that on most online seed suppliers' sites, they have various packaging/price options. Typically I grow with the smallest package which has the cheapest price. For one veggie, I was concerned that I might actually run out of seed in a single season and looked at the next level. I was shocked to see that for $.60 more I could get 2 to 3 times the amount of seeds! I didn't check everything I ordered but every item I did check was the same... small increase in $ resulted in doubling trebling the amount. So here's the question to you all. Do you buy more than you will need and plan on having the same variety the following year, even though the germination rate might be lower?

I think I'm going to be kicking myself for not buying the next size up on most of the items I've ordered. Is there a general lifespan for a seed that is stored properly?

Generally I buy what I need because I have a very small garden. However....

I sometimes buy more because I join seed swaps so I know that I can give away leftover seeds that I don't need. It's also a really cheap way of getting a lot of different varieties and you can ask swappers how that variety grew for them.

How long seeds are viable can vary a lot depending on storage conditions and the type of seed. The seed forum has a sticky thread with some general numbers for common seeds. I've found that even very old seed (10+ years) can still germinate although the germination rate will be low. That's fine for me since I generally only need 1-2 plants of anything anyway.

I'll look for the sticky thread. I'm currently using up some seed from two years ago and the packet only had 25 seeds in it. But I was thinking about trying to swap seeds as well if I can find a swapping group.

I limited myself to just one pound of Burpeeana zinnia seed.

Maybe I should have bought two pounds, but I was feeling like, if I was really careful when planting them, I could get by with just one pound.

ZM

There are lots of swaps on this site. I think the last one of the season is next week. Typically they get going in the Fall and end in Feb. You can already sign up now for ones being held Fall 2019. Look under Tool & Apps for Seed Swaps and you can see all the ones listed. They are a ton of fun so I hope you join in!

ZenMan said:I limited myself to just one pound of Burpeeana zinnia seed.

Maybe I should have bought two pounds, but I was feeling like, if I was really careful when planting them, I could get by with just one pound.

ZM

Lol. I assume you're broadcasting them? You must be one of those Zinnia lovers. I make sure to plant some every year but I may start them this year. The wife is the instant gratification type and when I get done planting, if the area doesn't look full, I didn't plant enough, regardless if I left proper space for plant growth and how NICE it looks at the end of the season.

bxncbx said:There are lots of swaps on this site. I think the last one of the season is next week. Typically they get going in the Fall and end in Feb. You can already sign up now for ones being held Fall 2019. Look under Tool & Apps for Seed Swaps and you can see all the ones listed. They are a ton of fun so I hope you join in!

LOL. I actually went to the Tools section to look up an online supplier for reviews and saw the Seed Swap section right after I posted that message. Thanks!

Personally I always end up with more than I need as I like to plant multiple varieties. Then it never fails I lose them or something happens to them by the following year. So I just buy what I need. Like tomatoes for example, I plan to have about 20 plants but I am doing a few variety so individual packets of them is more than enough. I try to buy a few of my favorites and trade for the rest as I won't use all of the seed packets.

It depends for me what type of seed it is. Tomato seeds have a long shelf life, so I don't mind ordering extra if the price is right. Some herbs, lettuce, eggplant have a much shorter expiration date, so I usually just order smaller quantities.

We now have a local seed library, so I can always donate extra to that cause. Much better than letting seeds go to waste when someone else can use them.