Field and Sweet Corn
 

I have leftover seed from planting my corn and I don't want to just throw it away. Can you keep left over seed for next year? If so, is the germination percentage the same or less?

Thanks in advance

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

I believe the germination rate will be less. Others will know a lot more.
Maybe keep it in the freezer? Again, I don't know if that will help.
Brian

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

Yes it will be less, but not enough for a food plotter to notice.

I planted some 2 year old RR corn and it came up fine.

Freezer not necessary, I kept mine in the garage in a garbage can to keep the mice out.

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

A relatively dry, cool place is the best way to store excess seed. Germination may suffer some, but not much. I keep my excess seed sealed in containers in my basement.The temperature is cool and the humidity is kept under control.

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

Thanks to all! I will store it for next season.

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

Selling seed I should tell you throw it out and buy new next year, but it will come up and like someone said for a food plot it might reduce so little just plant it thicker. Go to a farm sale and watch those Amish guys buy an open bag of seed , partial bags, and old seed like it was going out of style.....

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

I never seem to use all I buy and find that I get mixed results with "old seed". Of course I probably break al lthe rules in storing it, etc, but I definetly would plan on spreading it on a little thicker.

RE: Field and Sweet Corn
 

We have gotten corn seed that is 4 and 5 years old and it grows fine. Usually if stored in a dry place the germination will only reduce by a percent or two per year.

I have found that sunflowers will loose gemination much faster. I planted some 4 year old seed and found less than 50% germinated even when planted at the correct deptha and with good moisture. The deer do love sunflowers and will forage on them all summer. I have even seen them take the entire 4" to 6" head in bloom and chew it down. I plant some mixtures of seed the last week of July and the deer feed on it right through freeze up. Sunflowers, Corn, conola, beans, turnips, sugar beets, oats, and some other brasica mixes. I plant it with a very heavy seed rate and it helps to choke out the late germinating weeds.