Do any of you make a spreadsheet (excel) to log info on seed sourcing & starting? I'm creating one to first accomplish the best deals on my wishlist. My next step is to expand the spreadsheet to include specific starting/growing conditions. What are some column headings that would be important to include? So far:
Plant - Series - Plant Name - Color - Catalog # - # Seeds/pkg - $/pkg - Company - $/Seed
Start Date - Indoor/Outddoor/Wintersow - Germination Light Conditions - Germination Temperature Conditions - Planting Depth - Expected Plant-Out
What do you guys think? anything missing? Sorry for the edits, should have read out loud before clicking send
This message was edited Nov 30, 2007 5:53 PM
This message was edited Nov 30, 2007 7:01 PM
This message was edited Nov 30, 2007 7:03 PM
Spreadsheet for Seed starting
Hey, a girl after my own heart with the lists! Can't say there's anything missing in your list because info gathering is an individual. If it helps at all, my seed sowing list has the headings:
Plant Name, Colour, Size, Description, Placement (where I intend for it to be planted), Method (indoors/winter sowed), When Sowed, Number of pots/containers, When Germinated.
Sandy
I use several spreadsheets. Start a a new one every year for a shopping list so I can sort by price, vendor, plant, etc. One spreadsheet to do it all would be too cumbersome for me.
I never kept up the one I started for sowing, but I do keep records in my journal. Mostly just scribble on a note pad that time of year. A spreadsheet would work well for this too, along the lines of what you were thinking, for winter sowing or any other method. I see Sandy has posted some good suggestions while I am typing away here.
This message was edited Dec 1, 2007 4:09 PM
I keep spread sheets for all my gardening stuff: winter sowing, seed lists, orchid list, etc.
But I'm definitely NOT putting in the costs! Don't really want to know. LOL.
Joanne
P.S. Joannabanna - love your DG name. My DH calls me that sometimes. Ü
OMG,
I suddenly figured out who you are J.B. LOLOLOLOL!!!
See you phoned tonight, didn't get home until late, ran all my errands so I don't have to go outside this weekend....brrrr!
-Joanne
Joanne,
Since we are both Gemini, we can pretend we are new friends
I've been tracking my seed germination for years now, these are what I use for my column headings...
Seed Name
Method of Sowing
Date Sowed
Date Germinated
Seed Source
Tips and Comments
Jo,
You mean because Gemini people are insane?? LOL
Joanne
I only record info on irids, lilies and watsonias . And tomatoes. You are all far more organised than I am.
the other Ginny
To all you data spread sheeters-Your organization makes me feel pretty inadequate. Maybe in my next life I will be a person who Records Important Things. Meantime, I just order seeds and randomly stick them into pots, hoping for the best.
Theresa
Oh Theresa, your garden is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen...what you're doing obviously works for you!!
Joanne
Theresa,
I agree with Joanne, you have an absolutely gorgeous garden. I start out with good intentions, but I expect my spreadsheet will go the wayside & I will end up the same as last year, scrambling to find room to fit all the little seedlings. 'Tis the season to try new things while there is an abundance of indoor time. I like ordering from a selection of suppliers, so I hope not to duplicate some stuff.
Hey...check out the NEW Shockwave Petunias. A package in every color in on my wish list. It appears different suppliers offer some different colors.
This message was edited Dec 3, 2007 12:04 PM
My system is a bit like Crazygardener's...
I've learned the hard way to KISS. Otherwise, I just don't keep up.
For permanent general growing information I don't use a spreadsheet, just tables. My headings are "Name", "Germination info", "TP info", "Growing temps" and "Growing Info". I have separate tables for Annuals, Perennials, and Herbs and Veggies. Each year I print out a sheet and note the year at the top, and then highlight the varieties I want to grow and tick them off when started. I organize the tables by both name (using the common name that I'm most likely to refer to) and Germination Date--so that I don't discover, in April, that I've forgotten to start my peppers for the greenhouse! (Ah, that was a black year indeed when I did that.)
Because I start so many varieties--I grow everything from seed--I also keep on-going records. They sound complicated but are a huge help in keeping track of what I'm growing, and where it went. I used foolscap paper, in a 3-hole ring binder. In the left margin I note the seed company. Then "Name, how started (i.e. 3x5 flat, 70F, dark), Germ. date, TP date, location (i.e.by Norland apple tree), and try to remember to show the date of the first fruit or flower. If I have comments, I do an arrow and scribble them on the reverse. I don't do any of this on the computer because I learned the hard way, I'd never keep up. As it is, by the time I've reached the 9th page of annuals, for instance, my follow-up notes (re flowering, etc.) get pretty sparse! (I actually have a separate page each for Petunias and Lobelias, because I start so many varieties them.)
In the binder I keep the current year in each category (Annuals, perennials, etc.) and also the previous year, for reference. I have a separate binder for the greenhouse. As I plant the seeds, if I've used up the package I note "Finished" on the left side; makes it easy when I go to order the next winter.
Each month, starting around April, I make entries on a sheet I call "Notes" or comments, or whatever. This is really useful when I'm contemplating my current planting season--I can look back to the previous year and discover, for example, what seeds respond well to pre-sprouting, or which are susceptible to damp-off, or how soon my greenhouse was overrun by whiteflies.
(I try not to dwell on THAT--I wouldn't plant anything in there at all!!)
I've found that keeping records is absolutely essential for me--especially now that I'm in the throes of old-timer's!
Hmmmm..... you are an impressive lot. I sometimes buy a book twice because i haven't remembered that i have already read it. If i did actually keep recornds of plants i am sure it would be like my saved burlap - i would never be able to find them when i want to. i seem to be able to loose stuff on my puter too. Obviously there is room for me to come back as an improved gardener in the next life.
Thanks for the compliments Jo and Joanne! Jagonjune, I hear you! I will be organized in my next life too.
Jo, more details about the shockwave petunias please. How do they differ from the waves?
Theresa
This message was edited Dec 4, 2007 12:51 AM
wow, you are all so organized.
Mom and I must have planted 25 different kinds of seeds this past spring. Picture the two of us, staring down at some seedlings, scratching our heads, asking each other "what's that? Did we plant something there? Are they weeds maybe? We better leave them til they get bigger so we can figure out what they are.....sigh"
My attempt at organizing is a sheet of paper on a kitchen cupboard with the dates when I have to start seeds. Have another sheet for iris & lilies as they have diff. start times for in and out of fridge etc etc.
Which reminds me, should go check martagon seeds to see if any are showing signs of life. Almost time for them to go into fridge.
inanda
That truly is being organized, now that's a gardener...I received about 20 pkgs. of seeds for gourd..know our season is short but thought I might get them planted in a few weeks..lol..I've killed almost all of the 8 inside plants I had so perhaps I can grow these seeds before doing same with them..gives me something to do...lol