PROOFING BEAN SEED 2016

It has been since May 21, 2015 that I last posted.  We didn't have a garden the last two years.  There were several reasons.  The main one was we had a "hoard" of ground hogs move in.  They were extremely smart and thwarted all our methods to capture them.  We have a dog which has helped dispatch a couple of them and are hoping this will give us a window in time to garden.

First up for gardening is proofing all the old seeds.  We want to see if we need to order new replacements or if we will be able to use what we have.  Here are two blogs on the subject:

Proofing from another year
http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/02/proofing-seeds.html

Blog about our favorite bean.  We are worried this year we won't have viable seed.
http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2011/09/searching-for-spartan-arrow-green-beans.html

My excitement for gardening was rewarded when I checked the incubator on the 27th to see if the beans were showing any sign of germination.  WOW....not only were the seeds germinating, but they were all ready at 60 -80 percent germination.  Yesterday this was the results.  I am so pleased.

BEANS AND PEAS  FEBRUARY 24, 2016 PROOFED

“R”   SPARTAN ARROW BUSH BEAN 2010  RISPENS SEEDS (PR 10) 2/28 (10)

“RA” 2012 ORGANIC FROM US, OP 2012 (PR 10) 2/28 (10)

“RB”   “         “                        “                “      (PR 10) 2/28(10)

“RC” 2010 OUT OF 3 LB BAG  (PR 10) 2/28(10)

“Z” JADE GREEN BUSH BEAN PINETREE 2010 
        (PR 10) 2/28 (1) (ROTTED) TRASHED

“E” PEAS DWARF GRAY SUGAR 2008 100%, 2010 100%, (PR 10) 2/28/16 (8)

“A” SUGAR SNAP PEA 2013 GURNEYS (PR 10) 2/28 (9)

“J” GARDEN PEA 2010 SHUMWAY (PR 10) 2/28 (8)

“D” SUPER SUGAR SNAP PINETREE 2010 (PR 10) 2/28 (8)

The proofing of seeds tells me a couple of things:  

One my storage of them must have been optimum (the seed is very old for bean seed)

Some sources say 3 years and some say 5 years).

The seed quality from the producers are very good.

The proofing of seeds also tells you how long each variety will take to sprout in the
garden.  Remember you have to take in to account the temperatures and the weather.  

When proofing you may get 100% germination but the outside planting conditions 
may inhibit the germination of the seed.  

Googled and found the following info on germination times:

Propagate by seed - Do not start seeds inside. Beans do not like to be transplanted. Germination temperature: 70 F to 80 F - Germination is slow 

and poor when soil temperatures are below 60 F. 

Days to emergence: 8 to 10 -

Germination may take two weeks or more if soil temperatures are below 60 F.

From Cornell edu 

Take time to test your seeds and possibly save some money because you won't have to buy new.  

Off to proof some tomato and pepper seeds.

Other blogs by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

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Blogs about our pair of pitbulls.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/

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