Oh of course, I have tomato seeds that are ten years old, and while over time, the germination rate drops, you can still have seedlings from old seed. I've heard of people getting seeds to sprout that were twenty years old. In his case, only 1 out of every 5 seeds sprouted, but it worked. Keeping seeds for a year or two is fine.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Garden

Yeah, a couple of years would be nothing. Over 5 and you start getting some minor problems. Over 10 and its pure luck.

There are recorded instances of 50 year old seed being germinated under ideal conditions, germination of 15-20 year old seed when frozen is fairly common, and whenever this question comes up on the Tomato forum and the Seed Saving forum here there are many reports of 5 year old seed or more being used. Of course proper storage - cool and dry - will determine longevity.

Personally I frequently use 5-8 year old tomato and other common vegetable seeds.

Dave

Thank you guys so much!!