Do you have a million seed packets laying around? Than this post is for you! Today I am sharing with you my favorite system to keep your seed stash organized!
If this is your year to get organized, declutter, move toward a minimalist lifestyle, you need this if you are a gardener. It took me many years to finally find this system that actually works! I forget who shared this idea, but I know I first saw it on Instagram. I'd love to have you follow me on Instagram here if you aren't already!
Other related articles you may be interested in:
Mother's Day Gift Guide for the Homesteading Moms
Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners!
Essential Seed Starting Equipment
Our favorite Homesteading and Gardening Favorites in our Amazon Shop!
Our Garden Harvest Tally Spreadsheet is now available!
Photo Storage Boxes to Organize your Seed Packets
How simple is this?!?!? And why did we all not think of this ourselves? Some genius out there realized how perfectly photo storage boxes work for seed packets. It's like they were made to store seeds! They fit just right, snap closed, you can see through them so you know what is in each. It's perfect really. And simple! Genius. My bags and boxes and bins of seeds and seed packets are finally all neat and tidy.
Different Ways to Sort Your Seed Collection
Yes, I have 3 cases of photo boxes for these 3 different categories. With just a few spare boxes in each case. Depending on your seed stash, you may need more or less. If you are like me though, go big! You will always have more seeds coming in. You can have a case for old seeds and new seeds! Flower seeds and veggie seeds! But 3 of these cases seems to work for me right now.
Photo Storage Boxes to Organize Seed Packets is a Great Gift Idea!
If you know a gardener, these also make a great gift idea. Especially for someone who has everything. Make sure you get them a few new seeds and put one packet in a couple of the boxes so they get the idea.
Some examples of something every gardener could use more of like these: Heirloom Vegetable Seed Collection, Sunflower Seed Collection, Herb Seed Collection, Bee Friendly Wildflower Seed Mix or "For the Birds, Bees & Butterflies Flower Seed Collection"!
Get a pack of 2 photo boxes, one for you, and one for a friend! Treat yourself for the holidays and get all your current seeds organized soon, because it's almost time to order seeds for next year. Truth be known, I've already received my first order! Seed packets make great stocking stuffers too! You might also be interested in my post on Holiday Gift Ideas for Gardeners.
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Melissa says
Wonderful Idea!!! So gonna do this! Saw this on Farm Fresh Tuesdays Blog Hop!
Melissa
Tamara says
Hi Melissa! Thanks for stopping by! It really is a wonderful system!
Dawn says
I definitely need this! Mine are in a shoebox right now (well, ok, actually 2 shoeboxes....) and I need a better system. Thank you for the idea!
Tamara says
Hi Dawn! Glad to help! But can't take credit for the idea, but happy to share it!
Jane says
How long can you store seeds? I have lots, but sometimes it seems like a waste of time to try to use the old ones! Also what do you put them in if you are gleening your own?
Tamara says
Hi Jane,
Different seeds store for different lengths of time, so it is hard to give a general answer. Sometimes the seed packet will say how long they are good for. The older the seed is, the lower the germination rate will be. I store my seeds in a cool, dry place. If you are not sure if the seed if viable, to a germination test of a bit of the seed, before planting what you need. The only seed that I am sure to buy fresh every year is onion seed as it does not have a great shelf life. Hope that helps!
Barbara says
Just did this last night! When my order of seeds came in they sent it to me in a long box that was divided long ways down the middle, so basically for two rows of seeds. There was plenty of room in it and I kind of wish that maybe I kept them in the box and just used index cards to organize them. I love the idea of this in theory but the boxes make everything much heavier AND they take up more space. Also I have many types of beans and I didn't plan on having a different photo box for each variety...I just wanted beans with beans or peas with peas, but due to the nature of how large the seeds are for each of those, I didn't have a choice. On the plus side, when I open a packet and put it back in there, if seeds spill out at least they'll be contained! This method also sends to be more waterproof. I'm using my new cricut to make labels for each of the boxes!
Julie says
This is a great idea! I am also notoriously hard on seed packets, yet I hate to have dirty, potentially damp, crumpled packets that spill. I just ordered 3×5 Mylar zip seal baggies on Amazon. One side has a clear window so the packet (back side up) can be read, but the baggies themselves are opaque. They even come in several colors to help me stay organized- veggies, herbs, annuals, perennials... and they fit in the photo box you found. These packets might be overkill, but I have been caught in the rain more times than I can count, and I hate wasting seeds!