Does Grass Seed Go Bad – Let’s Find Out

Many people keep a massive amount of grass seed bags in their shed, but not everyone will know that grass seeds expire too.

According to research, grass seeds get older along with the time and lose around 10% germination factor each year. 

In this article, we will discuss whether grass goes terrible with time.

We will also discuss the main factors affecting the viability of seeds and the storage process of grass seeds, and physical expiration signs.

Does Grass Seed Expire with Time

Yes, The Grass Seeds comes with an expiry date that has been written in the bag. So, it is best to use the grass seed before expiry; otherwise, you do not have any option other than throwing it away.

After a certain amount of time, these seeds’ germination speed decreases, and it is unable to provide adequate coverage.

After the expiration date, Irrigation, feeding, Nurturing, etc., nothing works, and the seeds cannot produce any grass.

The Viability of Plant Seeds

As advised by Professionals, there would be shrinkage in the germination of packaged plant seed at a rate of ten percent per year.

It can be explained such that if a packet of grass seed promises that 90 percent of seed will germinate when fresh, then after two years, the germination percent falls about 20 %.

The germination factor of the seeds also depends upon how the seeds are stored.

Factors Affecting Seed Viability

The viability of seed is mainly affected by the storage conditions, and the correct storing process of seed is the exact opposite of how we store grass seeds at home.

The Grass Seeds will be viable for a long time if stored correctly, such that in cool and dry conditions.

Some of the Main Factors Which Influence Seed Viability Are:

Seed Moisture Content

The Seeds require a moisture level of 10 to 20 percent, although it varies from species to species.

Those seeds which lose moisture faster or absorb humidity quickly are more likely to die soon. Seeds can absorb too much moisture around a humid surrounding.

Storage Temperature

The Ideal Storage Temperature for storing grass seeds is almost 60 degrees F. Higher temperatures than 60 degrees can badly affect the seed’s viability.

Storage Humidity

It is always recommended to store grass seeds in cloth sacks or in open containers to absorb their required moisture level and absorb humidity in humid climates.

How to Store Grass Seed

It is essential to know how to store the grass seeds correctly. The best idea is to store the seeds in a bag with small air vents and keep the insects away from the seeds.

You also must take care of the temperature conditions, and you must store the seed in a cool and dry place, which is free from humidity.

You also must keep the insects and rodents away from the seeds as they can destroy the seeds. While storing the seeds, make sure that the seeds do not freeze. For the best results, it is recommended to purchase a high-quality seed.

It is best to place it in a cool, dry area with some air circulation in it for storing grass seed. You must avoid placing the seeds in an icy area that leads to freezing of the seeds.

The ideal places for storing seeds include basements and cellars only if they are dry. If you don’t have a moisture-free place to store seeds, you have to use an open box of baking soda or any other desiccant in the seed bag, which helps absorb the moisture and keeps your seed moisture-free.

Refrigerators can also be used to store grass seeds, but you must maintain the temperature between 40 and 50 degrees; also, you can use a desiccant to absorb extra moisture. It is always recommended not to keep the bag of seeds on the floor where mice and other insects can reach.

Physical Signs that your Grass Seed May Have Expired

It is tough to catch whether a grass seed has expired or not as there are no hard or fast signs which indicate that the seed is expired or not. The expiry dates available on the bags are a rough estimation, and the expiration of grass seeds mainly depends on storage conditions. 

To check whether the seed has expired or not, you must scrutinize it and look for fungi or discoloration of seeds. Look for any clumping or damp areas as well sniff your seeds if they are giving odd smells or not.

If you are successful in finding any of these conditions, it is best to dispose of those seeds and purchase a new batch of seeds. If you are unable to find any of the conditions, you must sow the seed to understand that it may or may not germinate.

If the grass seeds are stored under ideal conditions, it must last at least 10-18 months without decreasing the germination rate. Each year the germination rate should drop up to 10-20%, according to the reports.

Recommendations

Recommended by professionals, there is no harm in trying out old seeds for reseeding, but you must keep in mind that the germination rate is low for those seeds.

It is always recommended to keep the grass seed in a tightly sealed plastic bag not to absorb moisture.

Grass seeds stored in perfect conditions will last longer and remain more viable than grass seeds kept in normal conditions.

Final Words

If stored under ideal conditions, the grass seeds last more than the normal, so if you want to store grass seeds, make ideal surroundings.

In this article, we have discussed whether grass seed goes terrible and all the major factors responsible for the viability of the grass seed and its storage process and physical expiration signs. 

I hope you find this tutorial useful, and If you did, then don’t forget to share it once, and if you have any doubts/questions regarding the topic, don’t forget to paste it in the comment section below. We will try our best to solve all your queries.