Asked May 23, 2018, 9:28 AM EDT
I mistakenly left a bag of grass seed in my garage over winter. Is it still viable?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Grass seed should be storedin a cool, dry location with good air circulation. Since grass seed should not be in anenvironment where temperatures are below freezing, there may be some issueswith your grass seed having been stored in your garage over the winter. It is also important to note that seed viabilitydoes decrease over time, so you probably won't have the same germination rateas you would if you used it when the seeds were fresh or used shortly after youpurchased them.
You can check the viability of the seeds byputting a layer of them between two wet paper towels and then placing them in awarm area. Check the seeds to see if any have germinated. Be sure that they don’t dry out. Knowing the percentageof seed germination will help you decide if the seed is worth using.
Below is a link to Oregon State University’s website which gives directions onhow to test your seeds for germination:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/how-test-your-stored-seed-germination-0
You may also be interested in the following article by authors from OregonState University on “Maintaining Grass Seed Viability in Storage”:
http://seedlab.oregonstate.edu/training-education/publications/maintaining-grass-seed-viability-storage
I hope this information is helpful to you.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2018, 3:49 PM EDT
