I was wondering if they get thrown away and if they could be bought for pennies on the dollar
Most of it is returned to the vendor after the main selling season ends so the retailer never has to clearance them. The vendor simply takes them and gives the store credit back. The vendors then usually destroy the seeds or find some other use for them as many seeds are only good for so long.
My mom works for Lowes, so I can tell you at least what they do with their overstock. They keep this stuff in rotation only so long. After it has been out so long, it is then put on clearance and is sold off that way. Whatever is left may be sent back to the company. Ask when you go if they plan on putting them on clearance soon...the seeds are usually only kept for the growing season after they have been packaged.
Definenetaly Target it is cleaner and I love that it has a Starbucks! I really don't shop at either Lowes or Home Depot I'm more of a Sears person!
I have a friend who works for Burpee. They maintain their own displays in the major stores, and they took old seed and destroyed it. Until this year; now they are donating it to groups that grow food for food banks. Some seeds last for many years, and some do not. Your home garden takes a lot of effort, and the space is valuable. I don't suggest wasting time on bad seeds. At least find out which seeds are likely to last a long time. The off brand seeds you find at the dollar store aren't worth the envelope they are in. At least not for vegetables. You are going to spend many hours raising the plants, then find that they produce inferior vegetables. If you are really interested in cheap seeds, learn to save seeds and maintain quality plant genetics.
