When to Buy Seeds for Spring Gardening

We know, we know—it’s a little strange to be posting a blog about spring gardening when fall is moving into full swing. However, gardening is about planning a hopeful future, so it’s not a bad idea to spare a thought or two for our spring gardens as the weather grows crisps. Even in autumn we can dream of spring, and part of that dream is getting the seeds we’ll need for our spring gardens. So when should we buy seeds? How early is too early to order seeds for our spring garden? The answers are fairly simple but there are a few things we all need to know, so let’s dig in!

How Long Do Seeds Last?

When we ask “when should we buy seeds for the spring?” part of what we’re really asking is “how long do seeds last? How long are they good for?”. That’s a good question in and of itself, and the answer comes with some good news for many of us.

While results will vary depending on the species in question, the quality of the seeds, and a few other things, a good guideline is that good quality garden seeds will be usable/viable for at least a year after they were packed, and with proper storage may last for up to five years and maybe longer. Here at the Gardzen Test Gardens, we’ve used much older seeds with some success.

This comes with a few caveats. Older seeds will gradually lose viability, so whereas all the seeds in a new packet should start and sprout just fine as they age a growing percentage of them won’t. So if you find an old packet of seeds and  you have the space and resources it can be worth starting them to see what happens. Just make sure that no mold or mildew is present, as that can infect your soil.

So When’s the Best Time to Buy Seeds for Spring?

So the good news is that the seeds we bought for last spring and maybe didn’t use are likely still viable and should work fine. But when’s the best time to buy new seeds?

That’s a little tricky. Many seed companies release seeds on a seasonal schedule, and those schedules vary from company to company and from store to store. If your local garden stores are anything like ours, spring seeds start to go out onto the shelves in midwinter. Online vendors tend to release a little earlier, so it pays to check your favorite seeds selling website from time to time throughout the year.  If budget permits, we like to buy seeds when they become available and store them in a cool dry place in order to make the most of the season and ensure that we have the seeds we need when we need them.

What About Seeds Saved from a Home Garden?

Home saved seeds should last as long as commercially produced ones, assuming that they were dried and stored properly and haven’t been exposed to heat, cold, or excess humidity. We’ve found that using our home-saved seeds on a regular schedule helps increase the quality of both the seeds and the plants they become, so we recommend cycling through all your seeds—both home produced and commercial—regularly. Fresh seeds are always your best bet, so label your seeds with the packing date and stay organized!

Seeds Are the Future

Seeds shopping is as exciting for home gardeners as clothes shopping can be for many people. It’s a chance to explore, to try new things, and to reinvent our spaces when it’s time for a change. The good news is that seeds last for at least a year, so the time to buy new seeds for spring gardening is when they come available . . . or when you find a good sale. Regardless of where and when we’re buying seeds, spring will be here before we know it and a new gardening season will begin!