I have been putting number on bottle and listing in note book the number on jug, the plant and also recording the date sown. I am interested in seeing when they germinate from the date sown.Currently the jugs are under snow I have sowed only perennials so far. This is my first year winter sowing.

I've got a database going where I catalog my seeds as well as keep track of what I've sown (including sowing/germination dates, # of containers sown, as well as light/water/growing needs, etc.). I'll sow a container and label it on the outside using aluminum foil tape (good stuff!). Then register it in the database and .... done.

The database is set up so that the "seeds sown" form pulls info from the "seed catalog" list - nice and easy. The whole setup works for me really nicely; it has the added feature of helping me keep track of what seeds I have and whether the packet has been used or not - and it keeps me from duplicate ordering of seeds when I feel the need to satisfy my seed addiction.

But ..... I don't sow hundreds of containers .... although I certainly wish I could.

PV

I do somewhat the same as you - I have my containers numbered, since last year I tried to write what was in them directly ON them - and now can't reuse them as well. ^_^ I confuse easily. *lol*

I don't go into too much detail, though, I keep packets that I empty for the season, at least, and I plan to cut the pics off the fronts (where applicable) and write the info on the back. Those will be going back into 'snack baggies' for collected seed to go into for next year. Getting optimistic, I know! :D

As for my 'master list'... they're written in lists on 4x6" cards, they fit perfectly sideways in a ziplock, so I don't have to worry about them getting water spots and the like.

I have the lists with the name, variety if needed, and any other info I feel needs to be *right there*. When I finish a day's worth of sowing, and I'm done, I mark a line under that batch and date the group. I'll be highlighting them later, with different colors to code out what time. ...I have a lot of different colored highlighters, though, I don't know how it'd work without. ^_^;

I'd like to get even more organized - but this is simple, and Simple = Me Actually Doing It In The First Place.
I'll work on progress from here. ;)

PV: How on earth do you manage that, anyways? I think I saw you mention it in some thread or another... but I've been pretty mental lately, so who knows.

I keep a notebook starting with date sown, seed type and 'name', annual or perennial, bloom info (ie color, ht.& month)and other growing info such as sun or shade, water req., soil req., also fert. req. and any other bits that i might find helpful. I add in the germenation dates under date sown.

I like having this info portable so when i'm outside planting out I can look them up for best placement.

My containers just included name and date sown and I look them up the date.

Wendey

I just write the plant name on the label under the container. After germination I lift up the container above my eyes and see what it is. Almost all the containers are plants I'm familiar with so I know where I can put the seedlings, but any that are very new to me I can still look up the info when I want to plant the container.

I too have a notebook with seed type, seed source, date sown, how many sown, a place for notes, and dates of germination, and dates of first bloom. I also put the information into a spread sheet on the computer. The only thing I put on the actual jug is the jug number.

The one thing I would add is; in my notebook I leave space to write where I plant it. My memory is the pits and my animals dig up so much I need to know what's suppose to be coming up where. I have maps of some of my beds and note when I see the first new growth in the spring. That way hopefully I won't ruin something that is just slow to come up in the spring.

I write it on the container in china marker, and place the used seed packet into a different box.

Excel. Plant (perennials are in bold and I make myself use the Latin names), source (who sent them), date sown, date germinated, date planted out and a field for notes.

That's it. The containers are numbered and I have a foil tape tag on each bottom.

I have a MS Word document with a table format. I have a column for the name of the seed, how many seeds sown, date sown, date of first germination, and how many germinated. I keep everything in alphabetical order, with veggies and herbs separate from flowers.

I enter the first three columns every time I WS some containers. When spring comes, I enter some of the "date germinated" info on the computer, but I usually end up printing the form out, and entering the info on the hard copy. I bring it outside with me every time I check on the containers, and I can keep track of how many seedlings germinated day by day on the hard copy. It's easier to have my entire list in my hand than try to remember what and how many germinated and run in the house to enter it on the computer.

When it is all finished, I go back to the computer and enter in all the info. This is then what I use to contribute to the database.

Which makes me wonder.... I don't think I ever sent in my info from 2006-2007...?

:)
Dee

I write out the similar info as others mentioned in a spiral notebook. I number the containers on my notebook but not onthe containers. I just like to know how many I've sown and I have done over 150. I use cut up mini blinds as markers inside my containers so I don't have to tape anything outside. I can read the labels inside the containers since I use the clear soda bottles and juice jugs.

I just use a paint pen on the jug.. usually on the top and bottom, to label. Paint pens don't fade like Sharpies do.

How do I keep track of the rest.. I fear I'm not as organized as everyone else.. I put the empty seed packets in a mainilla envelope...

I scribble notes with pen and paper as I sow. I make columns for

container number
common name
botanical name
annual, perennial, biennial
date sown
date germinated
exposure (sun, shade)
"notes" (like height, spread, etc)

Anything I don't know I leave blank.

Eventually, some day, I enter all into an Excel document and store on the computer. As I enter I google anything I didn't know when sowing and fill in the blanks.

This is my third year and I keep the spreadsheets from year to year. It helps to know what failed to germinate, when it was sown, etc. If I decide to try it again I can check on how I did it the previous year (mainly, date sown) and try sowing earlier or later, etc.

Karen

I do similar to what you do.
I....
-number on the outside of the container
- number on a tag in the inside of the container (I usually use plastic cups cut up into strips)
- number in a notebook with name of the plant, date planted and where I bought the seeds from
- Then I also put the number and date on the seed pack and save that as well.

This is my first year, so we will see how this works!

I make a table in Excel. I like that I can add columns when I need to (like color, size, special traits/uses of the plant) and sort the list to fit whatever category is on my mind at the moment.

Linda

i write it on the container the name of the seed and wht info i have, and in the ws notebook i have made up. nothing near as fancy as ya'll!! LOL :'))