DG Site Updates: Propagation Database ideas-Bring 'em ON!!, 1 by Weezingreens

Weezingreens wrote:
Sorry I haven't come back to answers sooner. Ceeadsalaskazone3 pretty much explained how I go about managing my seed inventory. It's pretty elaborate, but I have so many packets of seeds in so many varieties that I could never keep track of them otherwise. At the beginning of each year, I determine my target date for having seedlings ready to set out. Our last frost danger is late May or early June, and I open my little nursery business over the Memorial Day weekend, so that is usually my date. Once that is determined, I decide how many weeks I must allow for each variety to germinate and grow to a saleable size. I label 2 gallon ziplocks with 'Week 22', Week 21, Week 20... and so on. Inside each 2 gallon bag are ziplocks with each genus. Inside the genus bags are the species bags. I maintain a list of where to find each type of seed, as well, and leave a copy in the tote.

Here is an example of my Planting Schedule:

21 Weeks (147 days) before Target Date of Dec 30

Allium: (all but leeks)
Geranium: Pelargonium
Impatiens
Rosemary

So, if I want to locate my pelargonium seeds, I would look at my planting schedule and determine that they are in the Week 21 bag. Conversely, I can look at the list and determine when I should start planting my seeds. Also, at the head of my planting schedule is a list of all the seeds that need to be frozen for stratification or to keep them fresh. (Some seeds do not store well otherwise) Here is the heading for my 2007 plantlist:

Harvest and Freeze in Fall
Aconitum (Monkshood)
Allium (all but leeks & onions)
Clematis
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Lavender
Meconopsis (Poppy)
Stachys
Sweet Cicely
Trollius
Violets

I also make note of the times seeds need to be chilled for a week, etc. or any special germination needs.

14 Weeks (98 days) before Target Date Feb 17

Aconitum (Monkshood): (Look in freezer) 2-4wks, then outdoors
Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle) 2-4wks, then outdoors.
Anemone: Sow 2-4wk, then outside
Apium: Celery, Celeriac
Aquilegia (Look in refrigerator)
Arnica: 3-4wks, no germ, outdoors