I’m using 2019 bean seed this season, too. Good germination on all, with the exception of ‘Saychelles’ green pole bean, which needs to be re-seeded in 4 spots around my bean pole.
Larger seeds such as pumpkin, beans and such don’t last as long as smaller seed, but sometimes you get lucky. ;)
On the subject of squash longevity, I haven’t had a squash go soft in almost 2 months. That makes the ones in my basement at least 8 months old now. I’m thinking I might propose to Baker Creek that they order these squash seeds as if they were biennials. That way seeds will come from the ones with proven keeping quality, rather than the ones that were cut open right after harvest.
If BC doesn’t go for that, I’m pretty sure the Experimental Farm Network will. They’re made up of mostly plant breeders, so they know how important it can be to screen for those kinds of traits.
And on that subject, if anyone here is thinking of trying their hand at plant-breeding, but isn’t sure they can handle the strict way most breeders operate, Joseph Lofthouse just published the book for you! His methods of landrace breeding break a lot of rules, but the result is an almost lazy way to breed new varieties. Check it out!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0578245655/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1