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Q: I purchased two bags of grass seed last spring, and I am finally getting around to using them. However, the seeds in one of the bags now has a musty odor. Does grass seed go bad?
A : Everyone wants a riotous lawn with minimum effort and minimal expense , and planting eatage seed can be a price - effective solution . But nothing survive eternally , including grass seminal fluid . “ The ledge life can alter look on thegrass species . But I have always notify homeowners to purchase fresh seminal fluid each season , ” says Gary Bachman , Ph.D. , CPH , retired extension / research prof at Mississippi State University at Coastal Research and Extension Center . “ And do n’t purchase more than you need , remember it can be stored and [ go for you may save ] a few bucks . ”
Even if we buy carefully , though , we ’re often leave with the odd half - bag of pasture seed when springiness rolls around again . While the answer to your question—“Can grass ejaculate go bad?”—is “ yes , ” it does n’t happen immediately , and it ’s all potential that your leftover grass still has some living in it . But before you start scattering that seed on your lawn , you should first love how long skunk seed live and how to distinguish if grass seed is still good .
How long does grass seed last?
Many factors affect how long a particular udder of sess germ will last , but there are expected lifespans . According to lawn leader Scotts , sens seed can be continue for 2 to 3 years if it ’s stack away properly . There is also evidence that some species of grass germ last longer than others . A U.S. government study in the recent 1970s found that forBermuda weed semen , 50 percent or more of the seeds could be look to germinate after 1 to 2 years . ForKentucky Bluegrass Country seed , that same germination pace could be obtained after 3 to 5 eld , and for creeping bentgrass , after 5 or more years .
Seed quality is a major influence on grass seed germination and shelf life.
Before you even bring a bag of locoweed ejaculate home base , its sprouting rate — the percent of seeds that will in reality sprout — has already been impacted by production location , harvest conditions , and germ quality . So if the seeded player were harvested in sub - optimal conditions , even if they were continue in the best possible storage environments , their germination pace will be significantly reduced .
Each package of store - boughtgrass seedshould be check with a“tested ” date and a germination charge per unit . The examine date , as the name implies , is the escort on which the source was essay for sprouting . This date indicate freshness and protects consumers from purchasing an old bag of seed . The germination charge per unit is the pct of seed that can be expected to germinate under idealistic weather condition . For caliber seeded player , this figure should be 80 percentage or high . If you apply seminal fluid within the first year post - packaging , it should germinate approximately at this rate . This charge per unit will drop by about 10 per centum each year , so you should expect your grass come to lose viability over time .
When you ’re shopping for Mary Jane seed , apart from have certain that you ’re buy the right kind ofseed for your regionandyour particular lawn , fit the label for the followers to confirm that you ’re purchasing high - quality seed :
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Another way to ensure you ’re getting a quality product that was package and stack away according to manufacture criterion is to buy from reputable distributors .
So , what about that udder of Mary Jane seed you inherited when your neighbor moved ? Unless it ’s unopened , in its original packaging , and less than a few years old , it ’s probably in force to use it just for overseeding or other downhearted - stakes projects .
Storage conditions affect grass seed shelf life.
Ideal atmospheric condition for germ storage begin with a teetotal , nerveless , and gloomy place . Avoid wet , humidity , direct sunlight , and rodents when salt away Gunter Wilhelm Grass come . spare wet from rain and humidness increases the chances of fungal contagion , mold growth , and premature germination . Rodents and other pests feast on the come but pass on the husk behind , which can be misleading to an untrained optic , as the seed container will still come out full .
While grass cum is cover to survive freezing temperature in juiceless environments , it ’s also best to ward off temperature extremes . In other Holy Scripture , outdoor storage is not ideal .
You can also maximize grass seed shelf life with the right container.
Seeds are magnets for moisture , so for long - term computer memory , verify germ are dry and place them in a certain container . “ Storing in the garage , most likely in exposed or badly sealed bags , allows pests like insects , shiner , and puke to get in and enjoy an easy meal , ” Bachman says . To protect stored seed from plague and moisture , Bachman uses bucketful with piece of ass - top lids , which are also great for storing plant food .
If , however , you intend toplant the dope seedin the amount time of year , bulk storage bags may do the trick . mention that these bags have perforations that permit trace amounts of humidity to go in , reducing sprouting over metre . Make certain the grip are kept in a cool , ironical space to help limit the gist of wet exposure . If you ’re storing remnant seeds in a breathable sack , such as gunny , put the sack in an airtight container in a teetotal environment . check that to escort and recording label leftover eatage seed , and always check the semen for preindication of supernumerary moisture and mould before usage .
How can you tell if grass seed has expired?
The first step is to check off the sell - by date . As discuss above , though , this expiration date does n’t think that the cum are unusable . They may just have a lower germination rate , which mean you may need to inseminate more seed to fill the lawn .
Aside from contain the sell - by appointment , how else can you tell if your pot seed is too honest-to-god to utilize ? Start by giving it a quick visual inspection . The presence of cast or fungus can indicate that the Gunter Wilhelm Grass come has been damage by moisture . In the absence of such an obvious meter reading , though , determine if dope seminal fluid has extend speculative is “ hit or overlook , ” Bachman says . “ It may become darker in color from high-pitched temperature or have a smell . It may be almost fermented - smell . Or it may have no outward indications of having lost viability . ” This is why Bachman advises homeowners to buy new seed .
If you ’re utterly determined to use up some erstwhile seeded player , you’re able to perform a DIY germination mental test to bump out if the seeds are viable . spot 10 seeds on a damp newspaper towel , put it inside a plastic bag , and seal it . Place the base in a warm area for 10 days , and watch for germination . If few than five of the seeds sprout , the grass seed has a less than 50 percent viability pace , which means you would ask to sow closely to replicate the recommended amount to accomplish passable reporting . While this is certainly an option , you may get better outcome more expeditiously if you just take Bachman ’s recommendation and corrupt young seed .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
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Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila