a simple system to organize your seeds and plan your planting

January seems to be the time we like to take stock of all our seed packets and begin to dream of the day they will develop into little seedlings. When I decided to take out all of my seed packets from the past few years (some opened, some unopened), I discovered that I have very few seeds to buy for this year! I also had a big organizational project on my hands. But I soon devised a simple system to organize all the seeds while planning my seed starting and/or direct sowing schedule. I’m very happy with this system, and I am hoping it will be helpful to you as well!

Step 1: Take inventory

The first step is, of course, to take out all the seeds you have from previous years and evaluate what you need to order. At this point, you should have in mind (or better yet, on paper!) all that you want to plant this year. See where the gaps are and make a list of the seeds, seed potatoes, or plant starts that you will be buying. (Side note- The earlier you order, the better. It’s one of those years that comes around every four years when people get crazy and buy up all the seeds, ammo, and TP. Order your seeds early so the varieties that you want do not run out!)

Step 2: Make a plan

Next, decide which seeds you will start indoors and when you will start them; as well as which seeds you will direct sow and when. Of course, this will depend on your plant hardiness zone and how long you need to start various seeds before you can transfer them outside. There are many resources for this, but each seed envelope will also tell you how long to start the seeds indoors before planting outside.

Step 3: Label your bags

Grab some zip-lock quart and gallon bags and a sharpie marker. Choose the size of bag based on how many seed envelopes the bag will need to hold, then label the bags with the name of each month that you will be seed starting and planting. Also write on each bag the seeds that will need to be started that month and which seeds can be directly sowed that month. Use your written list of all the seeds you want to plant so that you will remember to add the seeds you haven’t ordered yet as well as the seeds you already have.

For example, on one of my quart bags I have written: April. Then under the name of the month I wrote:

• direct sow carrots
• start tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers indoors

I also decided to include locations of where to plant seeds in my May/June bag (pictured below). This will make it even more simple when I get to that month and have a lot of seeds to sow.

Step 4: Fill your bags

Lastly, fill each labeled zip-lock bag with the envelopes of seeds that correspond with that month.

Don’t forget to order the seeds that you do not already have. When they arrive, simply place them in the bag that you have ready for them.

It’s that easy! Now you just need to remember to pull out the bag that corresponds with each month at the beginning of the month and follow the directions you have written on it.

Remember to store your bags in a cool, dark, dry place. If the seeds get too much heat they may start to germinate. I store my bags of seed envelopes in a cardboard box with my other seed starting supplies. I keep this box in a cool storage room in our house.

January is also a great time to take inventory of your seed starting supplies- spray bottles for watering, seed starting trays, grow lights, warming mats, etc…

I hope this easy system is helpful to you! Please subscribe to receive emails so that you never miss a post…

Happy garden planning!