Seed Storage Containers: Best Ways to Keep Organized

Get your seeds organized with these easy container systems. Managing seeds is a breeze when you have a system that works for you.

If you want a simple filing system, this is the seed sorting system I use. It groups seeds into logical categories, making it fast and easy to use and maintain.

---

Seed Collection Container Ideas

If you are an avid seed-sower and have a lot of seed packets to show for it, it can be difficult to keep your seeds organized.

The first step is to come up with a categorization system that works.

While not official seed organizers, the ideas (below) work nicely.

With your system in place, it’s time to find storage containers that make it easy to find what you’re looking for and maintain order. If it’s fussy, we end up dumping seeds for sorting later and mayhem ensues.

See Seed storage photo cases at Amazon

The two storage systems shown here get high marks because they are not only simple but portable. Garden planning is so much easier when you know your seed inventory. Plus, waterproof containers means the seeds are safely protected so you can grab what you need and bring them out to the garden without worrying about losing or damaging seeds along the way.

If your current shoebox method works fine, I wouldn’t change a thing.

But, if you find you lose track of what you have (and waste seeds), it may be worth switching to a more organized system.

Seed Storage Basics

Before we dive into the organization, it’s good to know best practices for seed storage.

The three keys are dark, dry, and cool, but there is plenty of room for forgiveness if you’re storing fresh seeds for just a year or two.

If you keep your seeds in darkness in average household conditions (moderate or low humidity with temperatures around 70°F or 21°C), your seeds should be fine for now. Make it a habit to use up older seeds first and order fresh ones as needed.

For longer term storage, it’s best to take additional steps including providing cooler conditions.

The Photo Case System

This idea has really taken off over the past few years. This product is sold as storage cases in a tote or bin for sorting printed photographs (see it on Amazon here). The case size (approximately 1.5-inches x 4-inches x 6-inches) can work nicely with the size of most seed packets.

These units are available in a few different sizes and price ranges. I’ve seen them with either 16 or 18 cases with prices ranging from $12 to $50 (for the exact same product). I’ve listed some shopping tips in the Sources section below to find the best deal.

Depending on the volume of seeds you have and how specifically you want to group them, you may need more than one bin.

I highly recommend getting your seeds in order before you order a storage case (or several) so you know just how much storage you will need.

Seed Organization

First, decide a logical organization system that makes sense for you.

I suggest using this system for categorizing seeds.

Everything is first grouped into these main categories:

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

Within each group, I use these printable labels with common plant names (beets, beans, broccoli, and so on) to keep the seeds in alphabetical order.

I know lots of gardeners like this photo case method but I found the Ziploc bag system (below) much better in the long run.

Sources

• Seed storage kit (also sold as photo storage kit) | Amazon
• Michaels or other craft supply stores
• Dollar Stores (get it delivered)
• Print Your Own Labels | These are the printable plant name templates I use

I mentioned these photo storage cases are available at many different price points for the same (or similar) product. They come in clear-ish plastic and rainbow-colored sets.

While you can order them any time on Amazon, it’s also worth checking stores like Michaels where you may be able to apply a coupon (e.g. save 40% on a single product).

Alternately, check dollar stores. Look for plastic cases sold for photos, food storage, or as pencil cases. Then, buy a couple of bins to match.

Ziploc Food Bag System

This has been my default system for years and the one I have stuck with.

Everything is first grouped into the same basic categories I listed above.

Every single seed pack, once it has been opened, is kept in a small sandwich-size food bag to catch any stray seeds that might escape.

All seeds of the same type (in their individual sandwich bags) are kept together in larger Ziploc food or freezer bags labelled beets, beans, broccoli, and so on.

To help the bags stand up in the bins, I insert a piece of cardstock or thick paper into each bag. The seed packets are placed in front of the cardstock (within each bag) so everything is visible.

The printed labels with images add some consistent, cute factor.

Sources

The bags shown here are SCJohnson Ziploc 24 Freezer Large bags but, as I’m sure you know, there are lots of other options. If the bin matters, you might want to buy that first and then choose Ziploc bags that fit within the bins and accommodate the seed packets.

• Gallon size freezer ziplock bags | Amazon
• Grocery store
• Print Your Own Labels | These are the printable plant name templates I use

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛