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Growing from Seed

How do you inventory your seeds?

15 years ago

I'm a newbie and have seeds I need to catalog/inventory. How do those of you that do this keep the information organized and what info, besides seed name, do you sort/categorize them by?

Thanks!

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Comments (11)

sarahbarah27
15 years ago
I like to keep a log of them as I am growing them. I usually include:
NAME---ANNUAL/PERENNIAL---DATE SOWED---DATE GERMINATED--- #GERMINATED

I do this just so I can look back and see what worked well for me. I also have a calendar I use to keep track of when to start different seeds because all have different starting times(some 8-10wks before last frost, some 4-6wks etc...)

Hope this helped.
Sarah
ragtimegal
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, that helps! Do you keep an inventory of your un-sown seeds so that you know what you have?
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I store my seeds in a bread loaf tupperware type container in alphabetical order. I used 3 x 5 index cards that I write the name on and staple the seed packs to the card. I try and staple above the ziplock with the bags and if very small seeds not in the ziplock, I put in a seed ziplock and staple. I keep all of the different types stapled to the index card. For example, I have a card with hollyhocks, stapled to it are 4 different types of hollyhocks. When the card if full, I start another and put a #2 Hollyhock on it. All seeds are logged into a spreadsheet with sowing, growing, germinating, who I got it from and planting info. I sort by sow month and pull out all the seeds I need to plant. When finished sowing, I re-staple to the card and re-file. All finished packs are put in a pile and I add a "DONE" to the spreadsheet and next year remove all the "DONE" seeds and start over. I use a staple remover when sowing and a little dixi cup to collect the staples BYW, all my seeds are stored together except for the ones that need to be stored in the fridge. I started stapling because those little ziplock seed packets get so unruly and some of the folded seed packets get lost on the bottom. Good luck! Andrea Appaloosa909
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I'll have to apply some of your methods, such as using larger boxes with envelopes as dividers. I've been using 1 gal zip-lock bags inside approx. 20x12 in box, each bag holds seeds to be traded (containing same seeds in smaller bags), seeds for us, empty seed packets and 1 with notes about the trades from this year only- older ones are kept elsewhere. Each bag is marked with permanent marker - 3 diff. colors in my case. Once I prepare seed pkts, they go in another bag and into the fridge, thankfully have a new larger fridge I can use one of the crispers for the seeds! What I've been doing , the old fashioned way, writing down on the piece of paper basic info -seeds to be sent and the seeds I'm most hopeful to be getting, address and I make a square which I mark, often with large point pen/marker , once I send with a check mark, received with an X, often have GREAT across the note -ab 1/4 size of the typing paper page, which I also use for seed envelopes. I make simple seed packets, with plain white or any color typing paper, lately I've been using pink. Fold the page in half (crosswise), cut the folded edge, then cut each crosswise into 3 equal piecesSmaller seeds -salvia and purslane, for instance, are best cleaned up in a plastic bag, give it a few shakes, let the seeds fall into the corner, discard most of the chaff, snip the corner and empty seeds into packets. Night Blooming Jasmine - got a new idea, after gathering white seed pods, again, place in the plastic bag, crush gently with fingers to open the pods, take out into paper bag or large envelope and let dry. Unless you prefer to leave it in the pods to dry, works either way. I keep my freshly gathered seeds under the patio cover away from the kitties, for a couple of days or until I feel like cleaning them out. If there are any bugs -seldom have them, put seeds in the freezer for a few hours-that'll get 'em! Of course, certain seeds shouldn't be refrigerated or frozen, such as palms and other tropicals, need to learn. Again, thank you all and am going to try some of your methods. Lots for me to experiment and learn daily. Happy gardening and best wishes, Bea-GB
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I use the business envie filing system (in 2 boxes, alphabetical, veggies are filed elsewhere) for the small amounts of seeds only (gathered, commercial or traded). Both things to trade, and my personal stash are mixed together in this...as my priorities change on what's personal and what's for trade. All types of morning glories in one envie, sunflowers in another, I subdivide when needed -- herbs are getting too full, and need to be seperated into Herbs-culinary and Herbs-medicinal/decorative soon. Along the side of one box there's extra space (it's running out this year -- need a wider box now, or a seperate one just for these). This is where I file the larger 3x5" bags of labeled/cleaned seed I've harvested. Also alphabetical. Before here, they live in coffee filters (a few thick) to dry well, then into a large bag to help sort out the chaff (involves a lot of shaking, and then scooping out the seed from the bottom), then into the 3x5's. From these, I package seed as I go, and check the stock before I offer it in a posting. I only write seed info down somewhere when I've either decided to add it to my trade list as a trade-out, or I'm compiling my "to sow" list with germination info (got to nick this one, soak this one, etc). I generally just have it in my head what I've got in the boxes. But I keep a detailed record of my trades on the computer (and backed up to disk), and can search that for any "where or who it came from" questions later.
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Wintersowing-Seed Trade Packaging from Straws The following is a technique relating to Wintersowing. For those of you who havent heard of it, Wintersowing is a method of starting seeds for your garden. No need for complicated light setups or heat mats or any of the bother that starting seeds indoors using traditional methods is usually associated with. No need to buy expensive seed starting flats. You simply sow your seed in easily prepared, "found", recycled containers and set them out in the yard in the dead of winter. They freeze, they thaw, get snowed and rained on and, come Spring, grow. Sounds crazy but it works. Just like it does in nature. See http://www.Wintersown.org or the Wintersowing forums at http://www.Gardenweb.com for details on what types of seeds can be sown in this way. The method is also popular as it is a great method for recycling discarded plastic items into useful things. You can look at my other Instructables post for info on how to prepare these to be used. If there is one thing that Wintersowers love as much as collecting seeds itÂs trading them. Sow something, grow something, come fall harvest the seed heads and trade them with others so you can grow something new. Very cool way to gather a diverse number of plants you may not otherwise have access to. So, you have harvested a bumper crop of seed heads from some special plant, put some away for yourself but still have tons left. What is the most economical method of dividing them up and packaging them to be traded? To do this efficiently you need to divide and package the seed in some way and label it so you know whatÂs what. Many folks use tiny ziplock bags but these may be difficult to find. And there is still some cost involved. Others print out pretty full color folding templates to make seed packages much like the commercial companies use. Nice but printer ink is expensive and you still need to take the time to cut out and fold the envelopes. Got no time for that. Others just do little origami folded affairs but again, no time for that. So what to do? Plastic drinking straws (you can "find" these at all kinds of places you know) and pre printed cheap labels. Your Tools Radish Edible Amaranth Well you need some kind of label. Most word processing programs have the templates for standard addres labels built into them. You can open up the program and either input your info one cell at a time or, if you have a lot of one type of seed to trade simply print out an entire page of one label. Just print out on plain paper and cut the labels apart. A paper cutter is nice but scissors work just fine also. Plain text, draft mode is fine for this so itÂs economical. If you want to go further with color graphics or other embellishments your free to go nuts. OK, you have the seed and have printed up the labels. How do we divide and package. Take one end of the straw and fold over about an inch. Staple it closed. First Fold Slip the straw thru the seed to pick some up. You can easily meter out how much each has visually. Slip and Load Cut the straw down if need be, fold over the other end and attach a pre-prepared label sealing everything up with another staple. Folded and Labeled Now you have all your seed packaged and labeled and ready to go out for trade. Easy peazy. Enjoy Monte
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sarahbarah27
15 years ago
Yes,I order all my seeds from one place (Park Seed) so i just keep a copy of the order for my records.

Sarah
retiredprof
15 years ago
I use an Excel spreadsheet. Each "tab" is a different year. For each year I indicate new seeds purchased, from what company, and break by veggies, herbs, and annuals/perennials. You can make this as complex as you want, but at least I know what I have in inventory.

I highlight (in different colors) those that I wintersow, direct sow, or start inside.

I can send to you if you would like.

Prof
ragtimegal
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Prof! I was just saying today that I was thinking of creating a spreadsheet. I'll send you an email.
kayhh
15 years ago
When I plant my seeds, I write an estimate of how many is left on the front of the package. Also, I make sure the package is marked with a year purchased or saved. Then they are sealed up with tape and tossed haphazardly into a plastic sealable container to await the next season.

I have tried tracking them on spreadsheets and what-not, but find that the best method for anything is the method you will acutally use.

It works for me.........Kay.
barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
15 years ago
With a spreadsheet such as excell you can sort by any column grouping so if you have enough groupings the entry of data can be put at the bottom and then sorted into place.

I CROP GROUP my veg. seeds by the same containers that I store them. Alliums are stored in the freezer; beans and peas;cole crops; corn;cucumbers&melons; greens&root crops;herbs; peppers&eggplant; pumpkins&squash;tomatoes;ornamentals&flowers.

My next heading is CROP TYPE(eg.beans); then CROP SUBTYPE (eg.green,yellow,italian); VARIETY NAME; SUPPLIER;SEED AMOUNT; UNIT(M,lb.,oz.);PURCHASE DATE; NOTES(poor germ, order more,etc.).

I usually start a new inventory every January by printing out last year's inventory, then going thru all my seed lots to correct the seed amount column and put a check in the note column to show I found it. I don't open seed packs so I only estimate seed numbers in most cases.

Most of my seeds for this year have arrived so I now will update the inventory. It is most helpful when you head out to plant and again when you are harvesting and you need to know more about where and when you got the seeds. If you can quickly see the source you can look in the catelog for more discriptive info.
ragtimegal
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, bmoser. I like your detail. I do like spreadsheets, so finding a system that will capture all of the information that I want (without too much info) is all I need to do.

Kay- you are right! Finding a system I will use is key. I have purchased 'organizing' systems before that I just could never get myself to use.
philothea
15 years ago
Wow, this is embarrassing! I keep my seeds in a shoe box alphabetically with index-card separators and notes on the packages (and not too many of them, either!)

I was just planning to switch to a time order rather than alphabetical, and thought I was doing really well!
marthacr
15 years ago
I have been doing it alphabetically, too, but have realized that sowing time would be handier. I haven't done it yet, But maybe now is a good time to start!
Martha
retiredprof
15 years ago
I do use the Excel spreadsheet (see my earlier post in this thread), but the actual seeds I keep in a shoebox with alpha dividers I made by cutting up large index cards. I want to be able to find the actual seeds fairly quickly, but the spreadsheet gives me the data I need (year, name, source, how planted, etc.).

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