Hey Hamama Friends!
Have you ever wondered about the shelf-life of your Seed Quilts? We’re here to provide some clarification on the subject!
Understanding the Sell-By Date on your Seed Quilt:
🗓 A sell-by date is not synonymous with a use-by date. According to seed labeling laws, the sell-by date for our seeds must be 1 year from the initial germination test date. After this date, the seeds can absolutely still be sold & used, they just need to be re-tested to ensure that the germination rates still meet quality standards. Seeds that pass germination testing a second time can then re-labeled or re-stickered with the new test and sell-by dates.
🌎 In efforts to be as eco-friendly as possible, we opt not to print all new labels for the re-tested Seed Quilts. Instead, we place a sticker on the outer package (on the back) to endorse that the Seed Quilt has been re-tested & has passed the germination quality standards. The sticker provides a new test and sell-by date.
🌱 The germination rate & quality is how seeds are judged as "good" or viable, so there really is no such thing as "fresh" or "old" seeds. They don't go bad, i.e. if the seeds are re-tested and the germination rate passes the minimum standards, they are still very much "good!" All of our seeds are tested (and re-tested if needed based on the original sell-by date) for germination % and only the ones that pass the germination standards are shipped out to our consumers.
See a past sell-by date on your Seed Quilt label? Do you recall seeing the sticker on the outer package of your Seed Quilt before you opened it? If that was missed, no worries! You can always check our Seed Testing table online (updated monthly) here.