Tough winter. Helaine bought some grass seed to fill in a few of the bare spots that didn’t survive. It’s EZ Seed Turf Builder from Scott’s.
The expiration date is printed on the side of the container. That’s understandable. You want seed that will germinate.
What’s weird is there are different expiration dates for different states!
The default expiration date is 7/31/2013, but that’s not a uniform date. Why are these seeds good until 2014 here in Connecticut, but only the end of May in Florida and the end of October in four other states?
Obviously, too much time on my hands at the moment.
Maybe the sell date (shelf life) is regulated differently by the various state agriculture depts.
You asked very valid questions, I would like to hear the answers too!
I would think that the reason would be the heat/humidity! I just returned from a week in Orlando, FL and we had high 80’s and 90 degree weather all week! That was very hot for April, so I can understand an expiration date for May. Just a thought…
I work in the garden dept. at Home Depot so I will ask the Scott’s rep. about that. 🙂
Maybe Florida’s high humidity causes seeds to deteriorate faster than other places? Just a thought.
Probably due to geographic location. There is a grow map somewhere on the web for planting, etc. That could be why.
Probably a state requirement thing. Ever noticed that your milk expires faster in NYC?
States are allowed to set their own ag product requirements/restricts, etc, as long as they minimally comply with USDA regulations. Many states do employ stricter codes than USDA. This is true for expiration dates on food products, farming guidelines for animal health, chemical treatment of crops, etc.
Source: grew up in a farming family, BS in ag science, chemical applicators license in three states.
that’s probably thanks to GMO’S!;P
Perhaps it goes by the same growing region chart that most seeds to and they prefer to use a list, not a color coded, Zone 1 type chart?
level off the spots with loam, at desired type of seed, rake it in a little, sprinkle a little more seed on top. no need for that chemical laden stuff hence the reason for the expiration date.