Sunday, April 3, 2011

Seed slob

A very long time ago (okay, maybe only a few months ago) some blogger friends of mine asked folks to describe how they organize and store seeds.  They themselves showed wonderfully neat and detailed binders and notebooks, full of useful information and categorized seed packets.  I looked at that and thought, there's no way I can show what I do!  I'm completely unorganized!  I'm a seed slob!

Well, I finally decided to just do it.  So, here in the picture below is the bulk of my saved and purchased seeds. I have more that I keep in the freezer for long-term storage.  I could probably add more to my freezer, as there's no way I'm gonna use these up in the next five years.


Each of the larger plastic tubs contain multiple packets of seeds, in various categories.  All the bean varieties are in one tub, all the tomatoes in another, etc.  It's a hodgepodge of containers, but they are all labeled and air-tight.  I keep these boxes in a dark spot in my basement.  I used to store them in a small dorm refrigerator, but my stockpile has since outgrown it.

This past winter I did a complete seed inventory on an Excel spreadsheet.  It ended up being four pages long.  Yes, I do have a lot of seeds, but a lot is not enough.  I want more.  I realize that I may be turning into a seed junkie.  I'm okay with that. 

Our local foods group is planning a seed swap this spring.  I think I may be able to supply several folks with numerous years' worth of garden seeds.  Let's hope I can leave the swap with fewer seeds than when I arrive.

6 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Hey, I don't think your system looks bad at all! And you can never have too many seeds. (Well, okay you really can . . . but you know what I mean.) Besides, I can think of A LOT worse things to go overboard on, can't you? (Am I justifying both of us?) ;o}

Erin said...

Ok, first? LOLOLOL on your post title! That brought a smile to my face first thing this morning! I think your stuff is pretty good - I know some people that don't even know where there seeds ARE or leave the open packets outside in the shed, can you imagine? So I'd say what you have going on is great, and it works! (from the BINDER crazy lady.... you just HAD to call me out, LOL!) Now go enjoy some spring weather!

Leigh said...

I agree with Mama Pea and Erin, your seed stash looks really good! Especially compared to mine, LOL.

Anonymous said...

Hahahahaha!!! Don't worry lil' sis! I hoard Christmas cards!!! I have all sorts of variety with no hope of using them up in my, or anyone else's, lifetime!!! We hoard what we love! Don't sweat it! On the plus side, both of what we collect are very small!!! Pity the fool that collects broken down cars!!!

Jo said...

Mama Pea -- You're right, there are a lot worse things to go overboard on. Feel free to justify away!

Erin -- Haha! I'm sorry, I totally didn't mean to insinuate that you were 'binder crazy' (LOL), I meant that you were AMAZINGLY organized and smart with your system. I'm the one who needs a knock on the head. How many times have I searched and searched for a specific seed packet only to have it be the last one I looked at? Ugh. At least I have my inventory list now, I should've done that years ago!

Leigh -- Thanks! Did you ever post your seed saving system? I don't remember reading about it. But it could just be my memory, which is about as jumbled as my seed collection is!

Karen -- That is totally true! We hoard what we love. Which means I also must love clutter, because I certainly have a lot of it in my house... Time for some spring cleaning, I think!

Kathy said...

Ooooo so looking forward to the seed exchange with you. I've got one huge tub all the seeds go into. You are almost inspiring me to get the tub out and organize it. Oh well... glass of wine, Daily Show, and dinner making will be good enough for a Saturday night. I do have the excel spreadsheet AND the expected viability for each type of seed.