Curious, How do you sort your seeds?

This is for all of you who have been seed trading for a while...

With all the different packages, and methods of labeling that comes along with seed trading, how do you keep it all straight? How do you keep your seeds sorted and stored? (by date? alphabetical order? annuals? perennials? veggies? by latin name? by photographs?) Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorted?? You have got to be kidding, right?LOL I toss them in one RubberMaid box, some on shelves in the garage drying, some in my bonsai tool-box, gloves compartment of my car, etc.

BTW, I will mail out your package today.

LOL!!! I wasn't going to tell about my 8' china hutch filled with little bowls and paper bags with just the name jotted on them! I'll organize better when they're dry and I can't work outside:)
tiG

tiG
'Name jotted on them'?? You mean you don't just shake and try to guess what's inside or open and try to figure out what's inside?

NOTE TO ORANGE COSMOS TRADERS:
I better apologize to everyone on my orange cosmos offer, I have no idea what kind of seeds they are, other than that they look like cosmos!! LOL

that's only on the bags, Tim. Not the bowls. I found some seeds this morning that I sent off for a year ago, were supposed to be confederate rose. But I ordered some confederate rose this year, and they're not the same. Don't have a clue what these are, how to start them, I think they need soaking!!! ack! I need a system, but I really need more time:)
To anyone who trades seeds with me. Those I'm sure of. So far!!! LOL!!

People, I think she means how do we theoretically keep them sorted, so that she can assess a suitable method that will work for her. How you sort and store them will depend on how you personally classify them - I just have seeds I want to sow and seeds I want to trade.

I have a little book I write the name of the Trader and the date I get the seeds, then I give them a number beside their name (in Latin). I keep them in number order in a large plastic box in the fridge. If they come in something other than a small paper envelope, I put them in one of my own, with the name and the number on.

I don't always get round to doing everything, but I do always write them in the book and put the Latin name and number on the envelope.

Seeds I collect go in a separate box, kept in alphabetical order.

Can't explain why I have three big boxes and four small ones in the fridge and two boxes of bits in the kitchen.

I knew sooner or later someone organized would step in here and stop our silliness! Thanks Mary, great ideas!

Hi! I have tried a couple different ways. I had an accordian folder (too full couldn't find anything). I tried sorting in drawers of a small storage chest. It worked pretty good, still can't find everything as quickly as I would like. I think the only thing that would make it easier is to trade for less (gasp..gasp..) I can't do that so just try to keep them sorted the best I can. If anybody has some fail safe way please let me know. I also have a database that I started a couple of years ago that has all the info I have found for each plant with a number along with whatever pictures that I have.

Well, guys, Sourdough Pete and I have just had LOADS of fun not only updating our seed list, but also having categorized each type of seed in separate huge zip locks. Then, some of those where we have LOTS of varieties (like tomatoes, melons, etc.), we alphabetized them just so we could EVER find what we are looking for! Just updating the seed LIST took us about 11 hours the other day! Of course, all the zip locks are in a huge rubbermaid container and "overflows" are in a plastic bucket and tin cans.

wow turtlewoman, sounds like you have some good trades!!!

Hi Violet,
I have an old metal desk, in which I keep my seeds. In the top left drawer are annuals, bottom left veggies, bottom right perennials, top right note book and envelopes. Yes, I am slightly anal, but it works for me. Each type of seed has its own file jacket which is alphabetized in the proper drawer.
As for waiting for the seeds to dry fully, I usually hang them in brown paper bags on a "washline" in the basement. Sometimes I forget to hang the bags, and that is when my dog and cat decide they want to play tag. They did this last night---what a MESS.
As for sifting through the seeds, I "borrowed" my mom's old wooden embroidery hoops. The local handyman shop saves me their small pieces of mesh screening. A little glue on the edge of the hoop and I have a nice sized sifter.
Hope some of this may help.
Donna

Hi Violet, I am a newbie so this is only in theory. I have 2 refrigerators (yes, both in my kitchen). I had a new one and there was a nice large side by side that came with my house. Anyway, I plan on keeping my seeds in the crisper drawers - Annuals in one and perennials in the other. (in food storage containers) I would like to say I will have them in alphabetical order, but I know my self better than that. As far as drying them - I like to use paper bags & hang them in the back of the closet - yes they get left in there for a while...out of sight out of mind. I had never thought of keeping a notebook for inventory....that may help, I'll throw it in the crisper drawer as well. (at least I'll be able to find it).

That is why I _love_ this sight...new ideas all the time.. always learning
Julie

I read somewhere in a garden site that plastic breaths, allowing moisture and bacteria in. The best thing to use is glass. I use old canning jars with glass lids. Durring planting time I try to keep three shoe boxes, all in alphabetical order, one for seeds planted, one for veggies, and the other for seeds to plant. But sad to say after a good couple of days planting or trading everythings all messed up. Still trying and trying and trying LOL Tonia

Thanks to anyone who responded and an extended open invitation for anyone else who share's their methods.

I received some fantastic responses at the following link:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/exseed/msg0611130631165.html?8

I list everything on the access database and keep all the seeds together in a box. Everything is listed as botanical names and I occasionally resort through when I've traded a lot out.

Violet, Was glad you asked that question! I loved reading all the different ways of organization. I use a software called Seed Planner by Rainforest Technologies (there's a demo version to download off their site) All seeds go in the data base and are in very small manilla envelopes that I get from Office Depot. There's enough room on them to put all the nec. info. But that's where I stop...then there all thrown in the frig. and I have to rummage around till I find what I'm looking for...but I know it's there somewhere. I'm going to go check out that hyperlink you have. Should I even be keeping them in the refer?
Thanks for the question.
Thanks everyone for their answers, I love this place.
Kittie

Hi all ! I am real new to saving seed. So all my envelope packs are put into a big terra cotta pot I have in one corner of my kitchen .This looks really neat and will add more garden theme items to that area.That's just til I really get going on a big collection of seeds!Better a t/c pot than a box! ....Jane

Well, hmm....let me see:
I have the trader mark what type of seeds they are on the packet/envelope/bag they send the seeds in, so I just throw those (I make sure they are secure) into big ziplock bags depending on type they are, or if they are alone I just stuff them into my seed box, in other words:
I pack all my different envelopes of hollyhock seed into one large ziplock bag,
same with columbines, and herbs and so forth....

When I harvested my first daura seeds off of my first plant. I was afraid I would lose them so I put them in a small envelope and carried in my wallet for a time. I'm always hideing things from myself and that way I would see them once in a while and know where they were.

Thanks everyone,I don't feel so bad now'LOL Organization is another planet'I'm a pack rat,DH is too' Our life is spent asking each other where they last saw it'' Thought I'd get that "O" word when the kids left home,NOT''My friends are from "tidyville" a place for everything,dah,dah,da,da,on and on it has to be hereditary'I have a notebook and 2 fridges, so will give your tips a try,no guarantees though'' Sis'' Zone5(NE KS.)

I keep my seeds in the fridg in small plastic bags.This my first seed trade so I will collect more