Regarding old seeds: I am sure you all have heard of this but, let me post as a reminder for those that have not.
Many of us have 1/2 used package of seeds that we have saved. (Ex: we only plant a few zucchini seeds so we don’t alienate the neighbors with our generous gifting.) Some from last year, perhaps some from 5 years ago. There is a simple test to see if the old seeds are viable.
On one end of a paper towel, write on a piece of paper toweling the name of the seed and year of packaging – in ball-point ink not felt tip.
Then dip the other end of the paper towel into some water, so the towel is damp for several inches. Line up the seeds across the damp end of the towel. Use a round number like 10. Roll the paper towel from the damp end to the written end. Place this damp towel into a small plastic bag; and wait. You may need to re-dampen the towel if you need to wait for a week. Don’t use too much water or the seeds will rot.
If the package says germinates in “X” day, that is how long you wait. Larger seeds with harder hulls ( think squash) will take longer than small, hull-less seeds like cabbage.
So, if you wet 10 seeds and 9 sprout roots, you are pretty safe to plant normally. If only 5 sprout, then you should double your seeds. If only 2 or 3 sprout, don’t plant them, unless they are special seeds that you really want to grow and have the patience to pre-sprout the seeds.
I just did that with some old squash seeds. I saw the seeds were swelling, so I put them into the ground before I saw the root emerge.
Warning: if you wait too long, the root may grow into the paper towel. No problem. Just cut/rip the paper towel apart and plant the rooted seed with it attached.
Hope this helps someone.