re cold weather and last year's seeds

[matowakan]

I am unsure if I can use the veg seeds that I have from last year as they have been in the wooden shed all over winter. Usually I bring them inside but due to building work I forgot about them.
Do you think they will be ok to use this year.
Obviously we have had cold weather with snow and inside the shed it was very cold - freezing in fact. How cold it was I know as the owl 's food (chicks) never thawed out!!
Any advice gratefully received.
I do know to buy fresh parsnip seed and carrot but believe other varieites would be ok to use last years?
Thanks

[prison break fan]

I have exactly the same problem! I am going to have a go with them as some seeds say keep in the fridge! I thought I would try them early, so as to have the time to plant again. pbf.

[bonniethomas06]

Hi there,

You should be fine - it doesn't follow that being cold will damage your seeds - they are designed to drop off the plant and sit dormant all winter until it warms up again - indeed some seeds even need the cold winter to break down germination inhibitors on their surface.

I would give them a go - you could always germinate them on kitchen paper if you dont want to waste the compost?

[matowakan]

Thanks for that reply,kitchen paper sounds like a good idea