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The Easiest Way to Keep Your Garden Seeds Organized

Published on January 11, 2022 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
Read full disclosure statement here.

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This simple system shares how to organize 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 Simple Seed Storage Container Ideas for my favorites.

Packets of sunflower seeds in a labelled plastic bag.

Seed Organization Ideas

Packets of carrot seeds in a labelled plastic bag.

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 (containers) you like using so it’s enjoyable to use.

The ideas work for seed storage in typical indoor conditions in your home, not a fridge or freezer.

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.

Helpful Seed Organizing Resources

  1. Empress of Dirt Printable Garden Planner | Includes seed inventory sheets
  2. Empress of Dirt Plant Name Label Templates | Print your own seed storage labels
  3. Two Simple Seed Storage Container Systems | My favorites

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

Native and Non-native Seeds

  • If you like to track which seeds are native to your area, consider adding a special code or sticker to those seed packets.
  • You could also keep seeds in separate lots—one for all native seeds, the other for non-native seeds.

Step Two

Packets of carrot seeds in a labelled plastic bag.
Carrot Seeds
Packets of broccoli seeds in a labelled plastic bag.
Broccoli Seeds
Packets of winter squash seeds in a labelled plastic bag.
Winter Squash Seeds

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

Each group will need it’s own container or bag. For example, all carrots seeds will go together in one bag. All broccoli seeds 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.

Sort Seeds By Age

Along with keeping seeds in logical categories, consider filing your seeds with the oldest seeds to the front of each group. Seeds lose their vigor and viability over time so it’s best to always use up your oldest seeds first.

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.

Photo cases used for seed storage.
Ziploc bags used for seed storage.

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.

Optimum Seed Storage

Vintage delphinium seed packet.

Seeds need to be kept dry and cool in darkness for optimal storage.

  • Short-term (1-2 years), room temperature (70°F/21°C or lower) and moderate or low humidity (60% or less) is fine for most seeds.
  • Longer-term (2+ years) or if household conditions are not optimal, store seeds in refrigerator using airtight containers.

Learn More

  • Seed Storage: Top Tips For Storing Seeds at Home
  • Garden Seeds: A Simple Way to Keep Organized
  • Seed Storage Containers: Simple Options Gardeners Love

More Resources

Printable Plant Names

Empress of Dirt Printable plant labels.

Empress of Dirt
Printable Plant Name Label Templates

Four digital files for printing plant name labels, useful for organizing seed collections and labelling seedling containers. The files are in PDF format and use standard Avery label formats.

Read More Details | Visit Ebook Shop

This is not a physical product.

Buy Now
$5 US

PayPal, Credit Card, or Apple Pay

Garden Planner

Empress of Dirt Printable Garden Planner cover.

Empress of Dirt
Printable Garden Planner & Notes

An assortment of basic garden checklists, undated calendars, and note pages for planning and tracking your gardening season.

About The Planner | Visit Ebook Shop

This is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device to print as much as you like for your own personal use. It is not a physical product.

Buy Now
$12 US

PayPal, Credit Card, or Apple Pay

Seed Sowing Plans

Indoors

  • My Indoor Seed Sowing Plan | Week by week
  • 30 Flower Seeds To Start Indoors | Late Winter & Spring

Outdoors

  • How to Grow Your First Vegetable Garden (Right Now)
  • Tips For Direct Sowing Seeds Before Last Frost
  • 20 Fast-Growing Vegetables | Spring or Fall
  • Vegetable Succession Planting Ideas
  • Flowers To Sow Mid-Summer
  • Vegetables To Start Mid-Summer
  • Flower Seeds To Sow In Fall
  • Winter Seed Sowing

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Packets of carrot seeds in a labelled plastic bag.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
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