Seed sorting
I have been searching for a while now for a simple but effective way to sort my seeds. I have gathered up quite a collection over the past few months. I just can’t seem to say no when I see something new.
I tried to see what other people do, but mostly found others sorting them into months to sow. This wasn’t going to help me because here in Durban I can sow most things anytime. So I decided to sort by plant types.
Here is my seed box before sorting:
I divided them into similar plant families. So we have:
Peas and beans
Squash and cucumber
Tomato, peppers and eggplant
Root crops
Leafy greens
Brassicas
Herbs and flowers
Other (which only contain rhubarb and artichoke at the moment)
Also added in a fruit container not seen here as I found I had quite a few fruit seeds.
Much better and I think this was will work best for me.
Crystal – If you are saving your own seed then I have been told that is preferable to save them in a packet which can breathe, otherwise your seed can go mouldy. Especially in humid KZN.
Our local stationer has small brown half size paper envelopes which are actually called seed packets 🙂
At the moment I store my dry seeds in an old Clover dairy cream container (http://ecofootprintsa.blogspot.com/2012/01/gone-to-seed.html) – the lid is loose enough fitting to allow air in – and out. But once we are on the farm I will have my own veggie shed, and I am going store them in the little envelopes, in a little filing box.
That paper envelope will enable me to label what they are, when I harvested them, and when I should sow them again.
Thanks so much Dani, I have seen those little seed envelopes at a store around here. I do want to start saving my own seed and will definitely get some. All these plastic zip lock bags were actually one's I got from the seed suppliers, but I might have to move them to paper because as you say it gets very humid down here.