Do you organize your seed box? And How?

15 years ago

Hi there :)

I was looking through my seed box because I was attempting to see if I could muster up a trade of seeds that I have a lot of or seeds that I will not use.

Well once the lid came off, it quickly went right back on because it was a little overwhelming.

Now if I just had to sit there and organize the seeds once and then could go back in quickly that would be a different story.

So I am interested in knowing if you organize your seeds and how? What do you use?

Right now I have a cute red box with a ladybug on it, the box is about the size of a shoebox, I just do not know what I could use in there to help keep things organized. I am also opening to getting a different box.

Any ideas?

Please post pictures if you can!!!

Thanks

Christie

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Comments (9)

bakemom_gw
15 years ago
I'm your downer. I use a clear plastic shoe box. What I don't sow, I give away. No organization when it's basically empty. the best place to store seeds - in the ground!
proudgm_03
15 years ago
For my trading seeds I use a plastic shoe box with two velveeta boxes in it. I have my seeds in 3 x 5 envelopes with a 2 1/2 x 4 piece of cardboard (to make it stand up) with the name of the seed on it. The I organize my seeds alphabetically. It makes it easier to find what I am looking for.

For my planting box last year I used multiple velveeta boxes with seeds arranged by height and separate boxes for annuals and perennials. This year I will separate by annuals and perennials only since I plan to mark the height on the planting stake along with the plant name and color. That way I won't have to refer back to my spreadsheet when I plant.
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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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trudi_d
15 years ago
I have a gallery of ideas on how to store your seeds--there are lot's of ways to do this.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Storage Gallery
pitimpinai
15 years ago
I collect seeds in different containers such as tuna cans or foil baking pans, depending on the size or stalks. I let them dry completely before winnowing or removing chaff then put them in snack bags.

I use regular shoe boxes and index cards that I alphabetized. I keep seeds and their tags in 6 1/2" x 3 1/2" snack bags then line them up alphabetically in the shoe boxes. I keep perennials and annuals in separate boxes. Right now I have two boxes for perennials and two for annuals.
dorisl
15 years ago
If the seeds are actually IN any of the platic boxes, Im considering them organized--never mind the sorting and arranging and all that stuff. just get the packets IN the box in any fashion possible. hee!

When they are on the table, on the floor, in my pocket, under the table, in the cabinet, they are disorganized.

:)
northforker
15 years ago
I have 4 photo boxes (like shoe boxes)and have them tagged alpabetically on the outside - ABC, D-K,L-P, Q-Z. Then inside I use hard card stock index cards with tabs that I found at staples to have sections (Sage, Sedum, Snapdragon). I like the organization this way (do I have any calendula seeds left, let me check.. and I can go right to it) but I do end up pulling everything out when I sow and having big messy bowls of seed packets around. I may make up seperate boxes for Perennials and Annuals at some point, but I haven't yet.
etravia
15 years ago
I have 3 plastic shoe boxes. One for annuals, one for perennials, & 1 for veggies & herbs. Each box has 10 or so large plastic bags (quart size) that are labeled A-B, C-D, etc. Some varieties have their own bags (poppies, zinnias). I also have this big metal cookie tin that holds my markers, razor knife, duct tape & other important stuff, and it ends up with bunches of seed packs in it too. Oh, and I have 1 bag for "special" stuff, that I want to make sure I plant. I need to go through everything and prepare for this seasons seed collecting!
Maggie
booberry85
15 years ago
I have three boxes. Two are shoe boxes and one is a small orange crate. One box holds tomato & pepper seeds. Tomatoes on one side in alphabetical order, sweet peppers separate from hot peppers on the other both in alphabetical order.

Another box has herbs & flowers. The herbs are first in alphabetical order, followed by the flowers.

Everything else is in the third box (the vast majority is veggies.) These are arranged by general type in alphabetical order(beans, cucumbers, kale, melons, etc.). Then by specific type in alphabetical order (Asparagus beans, Blue Lake beans, Kentucky Wonder, etc).

I have a spread sheet of everything I have in house and what I'm out of.
paulan70
15 years ago
I also use a photo box and I have mine divided by when to sow them. But I also use a notebook and write every seed I have and if it was commerical, collected, traded, or bought from ebay. And just before I start to sow them like in either october or november I will sort them into the sections of the months to sow them in.But as I am sorting them. I just think of how much room I have left and what I will enjoy looking at (weird I know) and also how much of the seed I have. For example last year my laura bush petunia gave oodles and oodles of seeds while some of my other petunias were hardly giving any seeds at all. So I will seperate the amount I will use and then put the rest into a galloon storage bag ( each seed is in its own little baggie) and then I will also write it down on paper as eatra seed. If there is only a few of the seed then I don't share it. It may take a little bit more time but it works for me. And then when I am ready to start sowing then I just grab the seedds for that month or time period and then just sow away.

hth

Paula

Do you organize your seed box? And How?

Comments (9)

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