[growth] seed organisation

[kaberett]

I have come to the conclusion that my current method of seed (dis)organisation -- a larger box, containing an index-card-sized box, with seed packets divided by approximate category in a variety of different piles around those two boxes, and frequently spilling out elsewhere -- could stand to be rationalised.

My grandmother used plastic bags inside larger plastic bags inside carrier bags, which I also consider an inadequate solution. (I don't know what my grandfather on the other side of the family did; probably something Very Tidy, but alas I have no idea what.)

Since last time I looked for Seed Organisers and was unsatisfied with all of the options, this box seems to have shown up on Etsy in such a way that my search terms actually led to it. It is an extravagance! I am nonetheless very tempted, not only because I get to DECIDE what the DIVIDERS say. (I have yet to come up with text I'd want on the lid, though, which does at least mean I have not yet sprung for the thing, though there is a non-zero chance it will be a Dealt With A Doctor treat.)

If this is a problem you have solved for your own purposes I would be delighted if you shared details! :)

Comments

[chiasmata]

OMG, I might also require one of those. Oddly enough, my system of scattering seed packets randomly around the house is not working well for me…

[kaberett]

you don't say?! <3

[chiasmata]

I was shocked, shocked I tell you…

[kaberett]

On the upside, you've got a variety of enthusiastic recs in the comments here? :-p

[ewt]

I am very happy with my photograph organising boxes. This sort of thing;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274563424629 but mine have rainbow colours, which I like.

I have put labels on them, and when I run out of a species or what have you, I turn the box the other way around, so the label is upside down.

[kaberett]

Many thanks for link! I v like the Can Turn It Upside Down aspect and that generally looks Cunning.

Do you wind up needing multiple boxes for peas/beans?

[ewt]

I have an entire separate case for legumes, in order to differentiate drying (soup) peas, eating peas (tall), eating peas (dwarf), French beans (tall), french beans (dwarf), and so on. It is a bit silly but I really like legumes and they are Big. Similarly, I differentiate winter squashes by fruit size.

Another thing I like about this system is that if I want to do some direct sowing at the plot, I can either grab the relevant boxes, or take some seed packets and make some labels and put them in a spare box, and that is relatively waterproof if I get caught in the rain. At church I also keep one internal box for labels.

[kaberett]

Ha! I am delighted by this solution (and categorise things not dissimilarly...)

The Spare Box As Seed Transport is Very Interesting. I have mostly been shoving things in my pockets and aware that this is non-optimal. Hmm.

[aldabra]

I have just upgraded from an overflowing shoebox to this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C8C2FXX/ref=pe_991361_665160631_fxm_4_0_n_id

but haven't actually transferred everything yet.

[kaberett]

HA, that would indeed be more or less the rainbow version of the thing that ewt linked to immediately above! Two recommendations is pretty good going...

[ruric]

I got a couple of these - one for fruit/veg and one for flowers - please excuse that they come from the temple of hell - I was desperate for good storage when I bought them!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removable-Organizing-Photographs-Stationery-Jewellery/dp/B09GYDDHYP/ref=sr_1_9?crid=28NEQQEQVMNMH&keywords=photo+storage+boxes&qid=1674779077&sprefix=photo+storage+boxes%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-9

That wooden box is lovely though and very tempting.

[kaberett]

... THREE recommendations in a row, good grief! Is this some sort of Seeds Life Hack that everybody but me got a memo about?! I am delighted to know it works so well!

(And no worries re Evil River link; I am well aware that they are frequently most convenient even just for going "this! this kind of thing!" <3)

[ewt]

They went around on Gardening Youtube a year or two ago.

[kaberett]

Oh right! Thank you! That would indeed explain why I'm utterly baffled, given the whole I Don't Audiovisual Media (Much) thing!

[cesy]

I have a random pile in the cupboard and they keep spilling

[kaberett]

Sympathy. I appear to be getting some fairly emphatic recommendations for other things that might also work for you...?

[cesy]

Ooh yes, though possibly most are for more seeds than I yet have

[kaberett]

I have discovered at least some places selling the half-size version of the thing everyone's linking to!

[konsectatrix]

Ooh that's a lovely box!

I was plotting to possibly move mine from plastic boxes stuffed with plastic sandwich baggies to either a photo or recipe organizing box of some sort.

I was thinking plastic for mine tho, because all too often the entire thing comes outside or to the greenhouse with me and I need to be able to wash it off because everything I own winds up muddy. XD

[kaberett]

how come (almost) everyone but me has heard the good news about photo storage boxes

(My seed box lives At Home and Does Not Go To The Allotment -- I take individual seed packets, many of which do indeed wind up extremely muddy, but being already set up for Seed Box Stays At Home means that this wouldn't be a huge amount of an adjustment for me. If all my gardening were on the property, though...)

[konsectatrix]

All the people you have befriended are terrible evangelists XD
("should we go out and preach the good news about photo boxes as seed storage???"
"... Nah let's stay inside and have another cup of tea.")

That makes total sense. My issue is definitely more along the lines of 'grab a packet or two, go outside, walk all the way across the yard, get struck with another idea, walk back to the house, wash, rinse, repeat about half a dozen times... .'

[lunabee34]

Admires box!

[kaberett]

Isn't it! They also do a vegetabley one. :)

[sleeplesspotato]

Lovely box. <3 I've only just started building up my collection; once I have enough I could probably go for one of the big organizer boxes linked in the other comments.

[kaberett]

I am definitely entertained by how many people who Are Not Me appear to have got the memo about photo storage boxes! I am having a Serious Think about pros and cons...

[afuna]

That is *beautiful*.

I have no advice, only admiration. Mine are all in one small box right now, I have a vague idea that maybe I just stop buying when the box is full, and use up all that I have.

(l o l)