How To Categorize Garden Seeds (Simple Organization Method)

This simple system shares how to categorize your garden seeds in a manner that is logical, easy to use, and easy to maintain . Gather up your seeds, follow along, and let’s get everything in order.

After categorizing your seed collection, it’s time to choose seed storage containers. See Two Neat Ways To Store Your Seeds for my favorites.

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Seed Organization Ideas

There are two keys to keeping seed packets organized.

First, you need a logical way to categorize them—something simple yet logical so it comes naturally.

Next you need a storage system you love so it’s enjoyable to use.

For categories, we could go full nerd mode and keep seed packets filed by botanical names but that is neither functional nor user-friendly for the average gardener.

Instead, it’s helpful to sort them into groupings that fit how and when we use them while still keeping things really simple.

If your seed collection is not currently in good order, which I assume is why you’re reading this, you may want to gather everything now and see if the suggested categories (below) will work for your inventory. It’s the one system I’ve used that ticks all the boxes.

Once you have your seeds sorted, you can decide on storage containers.

Simple Way To Categorize Seeds

Main Category + Common Names (in Alphabetical Order)

This is a simple system and suits a lot of gardeners.

Step One

Group your seeds into these main categories:

• Vegetables
• Herbs
• Fruits
• Flowers
• Trees, Shrubs, Vines
• Tropical Plants

Step Two

Within each category, group everything in alphabetical order by common name.

Each group will need it’s own container or bag. For example, all beet seeds will go together in one photo case (shown below). All beans go in another case. And so on. I sell printable label templates for this if you need them.

• Vegetables
  • Type of Vegetable (Beets, Beans, Broccoli….). This works nicely when you have several of each type of seed.
    or
  • Broader Groups (e.g. Root Vegetables, Lettuces, Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Winter Squash) for smaller seed collections.
• Herbs
  • Annual
    • Types of Herbs (Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile….)
  • Perennial or Biennial
    • Types of Herbs (Anise Hyssop, Bay laurel, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon balm….)
• Fruits
  • Type of Fruit (Ground Cherry, Strawberry….)
• Flowers
  • Annual
    • Types or common names (Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Zinnia….)
  • Perennial or Biennial
    • Types or common names (Black-eyed Susan, Daisy, Coneflower, Hollyhock….)
• Trees, Shrubs, Vines
  • We tend to have few seeds in this category. Ignore it if you have none.
• Tropical Plants
  • This is also a less common category for cold climate gardeners. I save seeds from indoor succulents but that’s about it.

And that’s it. Simple. Logical. Do-able.

With your seeds sorted this way, you can now see exactly what quantities you have, how much room they take up, and what size of containers or bags you need to keep everything in order.

Seed Storage Tips

Container Ideas

The two seed storage and organization systems I like best use these photo cases or Ziploc bags. See the article for a list of pros and cons to each method.

Fresh seeds have the best germination rates. Be sure to check the dates on your seed packets and make it a habit to sow older seeds first.

More Resources

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛