I was going through my seed collection to see what I needed to buy, when I found I had 23 packets of various winter squash seeds and 4 packets of summer squash. Years back, my mother-in-law was given these (they were bought to be sent oversees to help impoverished farmers, only to find out that they weren't allowed to send them over seas). They were packaged for 2006, and she got them in 2007. Since she had no use for them, she gave them to me. I had no desire to try my hand at growing squash at the time (I didn't even know what winter squash was, and zucchini--which I hate--was the only summer squash I knew of.). But, being the little hoarder that I was/am, I stashed them away. This year I discovered them again, and I already had plans to try growing squash! They spent 5 years at the top of a deep shelf at my old house, and then another 4.5 years stashed in my rather humid, but cool, garage.
My question is, do you think any of them will germinate? How much time/effort/space
should I spend on these? I'd already planned on ordering squash seeds, but should I delay that purchase in case any of these germinate? If I use them, how many should I stick in a mound?
It should be noted that I am still no where near having as "green" of a thumb as I'd like.
Thanks!