New Year, New Seeds (and Organizing)

[orangetabbys]

157+ seed packs?! Over how many years do you guess this accumulation has spanned?

[Shawn]

Jun 1, 2019 4:49:04 GMT -5 orangetabbys said:

157+ seed packs?! Over how many years do you guess this accumulation has spanned?

Not long.  2.5 years   Tops would be three but I don't think I started going custom until at the earliest 6 months in.

[Sher]

I just found this old post on seed storage. It's fun and deserves to be resurrected for all the new members.

Here's my sorta organized seed storage box. 

[Shawn]

Mar 8, 2021 11:58:19 GMT -5 Sher said:

I just found this old post on seed storage. It's fun and deserves to be resurrected for all the new members.

Here's my sorta organized seed storage box. 

As your seed stash grows, so does your boxes LOL

[cloudshaper]

I upgraded from a cookie tin to an ammo box this month, with a dedicated dessicant pack.  It lives in the fridge like the cookie tin did:

[Sher]

I should store mine in the refrigerator, but have no room.

Instead, I've started buying my outdoor vegetable seeds from Everwilde. They come in a triple layer mylar packet and are supposed to last 3 times longer than those packed in paper or plastic.

As for the fun Aerogarden seeds, I don't worry about storing them long term. I just need to be able to find them!

[Shawn]

Fort Knox for Seeds LOL cloudshaper,

I personally have never had a problem storing any seeds in the containers and places I store mine.

[cloudshaper]

Shawn, The collection outgrew my cookie tin after 4 years!  It's really nice to be able to have them set up file style instead of digging around in the ziploc bag groupings I had in the tin.  Much quicker access.  I looked at the photo organizer style tote that you have (and a smaller version of it) after seeing it on Epic Gardening, but wanted an opaque container.

I've been storing mine in my old recipes box. I've got the photo storage bins in my shopping cart now waiting for payday.

[ERR0R1755]

I also use the photo organizer approach like Shawn, but instead of organizing my boxes by seed type, I give each packet a code in the format of "box letter, case number, packet number" and keep track of things in a spreadsheet.
An example would be box A, case 3, packet 27. The packet numbers are unique overall in case I mix things up by accident.
I like this approach because I can easily see what I have (sorting by the common name, for example) as well as see other information I've stored, such as whether or not I've grown it before, what generation it is (for seeds I harvest myself), and other notes.

ERR0R1755 I like this approach. I just started making a spreadsheet for mine.

[Shawn]

I write the dates and heights each package. 

Mar 9, 2021 6:27:31 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I write the dates and heights each package. 

That great idea!

[Sher]

Mar 9, 2021 6:27:31 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I write the dates and heights each package. 

I need to do that. I usually have to do a web search for plant heights when I am planning which seeds to start.

[maskedsonnet]

I just ordered a box like this, I’ve finally gotten sick of the little cardboard box that I have to shuffle through every time I wanna grow something new. I’m gonna jump on the spreadsheet bandwagon too, what a great idea!

[hakaku]

For those of you with the photo organizer box, how do you deal with open seed packages or seed packages that are larger? I've been debating getting one for a while, but I'm worried seeds will go everywhere if the opened packages are left on their side.

[ERR0R1755]

Mar 10, 2021 11:14:59 GMT -5 hakaku said:

For those of you with the photo organizer box, how do you deal with open seed packages or seed packages that are larger? I've been debating getting one for a while, but I'm worried seeds will go everywhere if the opened packages are left on their side.

I bought some small bags and use them to store seeds from any open package. Normally I'll place the seeds in the plastic bag, and then place the plastic bag into the (now empty) original packet.

So far I haven't had any issues where a seed packet was too large, but if I did run into that, I would probably place the seeds into a bag or two and trim down the packet size to keep the information I want while ensuring it fits.

Mar 10, 2021 11:14:59 GMT -5 hakaku said:

For those of you with the photo organizer box, how do you deal with open seed packages or seed packages that are larger? I've been debating getting one for a while, but I'm worried seeds will go everywhere if the opened packages are left on their side.

I actually already deal with this without the photo organizer. Not all of the seed packets reclose well, so I'll fold them over until they'll fit into a coil envelope.

[campingcorgis]

I've had one of the photo organizers in my "basket" for a while.  Mikey made me a nice little box, but I think I'm to the point of really needing to "upgrade".  And I LOVE the spreadsheet idea!  I love spreadsheets and use them for lots of applications.  From complicated schedule planning to simple packing and meal ideas.  

I'm so new to the AG stuff, when I open a packet, I then fold it over and paperclip it to keep it closed.  Probably not the best or neatest idea, but that's what I came up with when I did my first "grow anything" garden.  

[Shawn]

I still leave seeds in their original packet.  I fold over and place in its proper container.  As stated somewhere (maybe above) I do add the date I acquired the packet and approx height.  Once grown I then add the actual height if different.