I’m afraid I must admit that many of my older seed packets look like the one pictured above. Tearing off the top, resealing with scotch tape, creates a ragged and ripped mess when I try to reopen. I know it sounds silly to even take time to give write a tip like this, but it is more a reminder, than it is a tip, on how much information is contained on the small space of the packet.
For instance, if I tear away the top of the seed packet shown above I will never again be able to rely on the terrific and almost poetic description of the contents printed on the top of the flap.
“Crisp textured loose heads have broad frilled and crumpled leaves.”
There are also height, width, sunshine and water requirements printed on the packet. To save as much information as possible cut away with scissors the smallest fraction of the packet top when opening.
In the past I have often taped the top of the my packets down when I am finished sowing the seeds they contain. If I don’t firmly close them in a way that will stay secure I will end up with hundred of seeds, completely unidentifiable, on the bottom of my seed box. A small, tight paperclip holds the twice-folded seed packet top closed without possibility of loosening.
Another important tip is labeling the small white packet inside some varieties of seeds. Burpee packages its seeds with an inner foil pack. Take my word for it, all these look alike if you mix them up. Unless you are a real professional at identifying seeds, it will be plant and hope for the best if you mix up the inner packets. I’ve learned my lesson and I now label the inner packet with a permanent black felt-tip pen.
I know these tips might seem rather self-evident, but hey, it’s so easy to get excited about planting and lose track of what you are doing in the pursuit of the perfect garden. These are just a few of the simple ways I make the whole experience enjoyable and less frustrating at the time of planting and in the future.
I received a terrific idea through the comment section of this post. I thought it would be a good idea to edit the post and add the comment as another alternative for saving the information on the packets. Thanks so much Tulani!
Tulani comments, “Here’s an idea in dealing with the torn/frayed tops of the seed packets. If you have an all in one printer, make a copy of the seed packet BEFORE you open it…that way you have all that precious information intact & semi easy to read whenever you may need it. If you do not have an all in one printer, many of the local drug stores & other businesses have copy machines & charge $0.10 – $0.25 per copy. Libraries are another place to go for copies too! When you have all these copies made, they can then be cut down so you only have the picture of that packet, & store them in a photo album. If there’s a problem with the plant, or the seeds, you’ll have all that info at your fingertips, & you will know whether or not to buy them seeds next year. It may not be foolproof, but it sure beats dealing with torn/frayed seed packets.”
Another quick tip – For larger seeds I often dump out the contents of the packet onto teacup saucer. The little indentation in the center holds the bulk of the seed. I then pull a few seeds up onto the lip of the plate. Because the dish curves upward, it is easy to slide a few seeds to the edge of the plate with my forefinger and then grasp one or two between forefinger and thumb and place each where I want them on the soil. I know that many people “broadcast” the seeds across the top of the planting medium, but I have found over and over again that this method causes crowding and is the forerunner of damping-off disease. Happy Gardening!
