Vegetable Seed Viability & Characteristics  
Vegetable   Seed Viability Pollination Isolation Distance
Asparagus P 3 years insect 1 mi / 1.6 km
Bean, broad A 3 years self 50 ft / 15 m
Bean, French A 3 years self 50 ft / 15 m
Bean, runner A 3 years self 50 ft / 15 m
Beet B 4 years wind yes
Broccoli B 5 years insect yes
Brussels sprouts B 5 years insect yes
Cabbage B 5 years insect yes
Carrot B 3 years insect 1 mi / 1.6 km
Cauliflower B 5 years insect yes
Celeriac B 5 years insect yes
Celery B 5 years insect yes
Chinese cabbage A  5 years insect yes
Chive P 2 years insect yes
Corn, sweet A 1 – 2 years wind yes
Cowpea A 3 years self limited
Cucumber A 5 years insect yes
Eggplant A 5 years self limited
Garlic A      
Horseradish P      
Jerusalem artichoke P      
Kale B 5 years insect yes
Kohlrabi B 5 years insect yes
Leek B 3 years insect yes
Lettuce A 5 years self limited
Lima bean A 3 years self limited
Muskmelon A 5 years insect yes
NZ spinach A 5 years wind yes
Okra A 2 years self limited
Onion B 1 – 2 years insect yes
Parsley B 1 – 2 years insect yes
Parsnip B 1 – 2 years insect yes
Pea A 3 years self no
Peanut A 1-2 years self limited
Pepper A 4 years self limited
Popcorn A 1 – 2 years wind yes
Potato A   self no
Pumpkin A 5 years insect yes
Radish A 5 years insect yes
Rhubarb P      
Rutabaga B 5 years insect yes
Salsify B 2 years self no
Soybean A 3 years self limited
Spinach A 5 years wind yes
Squash, summer A 5 years insect yes
Squash, winter A 5 years insect yes
Swiss chard A 4 years wind yes
Tomato A 4 years self limited
Turnip A 5 years insect yes
Watermelon A 5 years insect yes

 

Updated on January 15, 2024