How to Read a Seed Packet Worksheet

I was chatting with a new gardener recently virtually growing vegetables from seed and she mentioned that she doesn't really empathise how to read a seed parcel. The information on the seed packet confuses her and it'south just easier to buy transplants.

I felt the same way when I commencement started gardening and I'm certain in that location are others who experience a bit overwhelmed when they wait at the back of a seed packet. So, I thought I'd break it all downwards for y'all.

I'm always amazed at how much information they can pack into such a pocket-size slice of newspaper, withal, there is no style they can put all the information that is needed for every gardening climate. That's why information technology's important for you, the gardener, to keep your ain notes.

If y'all need help knowing how many plants to start to feed your family, we have some worksheets to help you out. Just enter your e-mail in the form below and the worksheets will be emailed to you.

Some seed packets will have more than information than others but most will have the following…

1. 1  the upper right hand side of the front there'south the price. That may or may not be of import to you depending on how desperately y'all need the seeds.
2. On the upper left manus side of the forepart in that location'south the weight of the seeds in the packet. Instead of the weight I really wish they would put nearly how many seeds are in the package. That would exist much more useful for determining how many packets yous need to purchase.
3. Blazon of plant and diverseness or cultivar. There are many varieties of each plant so keep notes on your family unit's favorite varieties.
4. How many days until you tin expect your starting time harvest. This number is a bit disruptive. You would think "days to harvest" would mean how long it takes from the twenty-four hour period you lot put the seed in the ground to the day you pick your first vegetable. Yet, day one isn't the day you lot put the seed in the ground. Day one is the day the institute has it's get-go set of truthful leaves. So for this squash days to harvest is 63 days but it will take the seed viii-10 days to germinate and a couple of days to grow the true leaves. So instead of 63 days yous are really looking at about 75 days before you lot'll be enjoying your squash. This isn't a huge deal if you have a long growing flavor, but if you're growing season is brusk those extra 10-12 days tin be a big bargain.
5. Curt description of the diverseness. Some seed packets will simply have a general description for the found so every zucchini variety will have the same description. Ferry-Morse does a practiced task of giving a short description for the actual diverseness of of the plant. If the seed packet doesn't have description for the specific variety yous tin can always do an internet search for that diverseness to get specifics.
6. Planting instructions. This expanse volition requite you full general planting instructions. The instructions e'er include instructions for sowing (planting) the seeds directly in your garden, they volition as well often include instructions for when to first the seeds indoors and then transplant exterior.
7. This section is general harvesting instructions. About seed companies will include a sentence or ii near how to tell that the fruit or vegetable is ready to harvest.
8. About seed companies volition have a niggling chart similar this one that includes days to germinate, planting depth, days to harvest, and row/plant spacing.
9. If you lot bought seeds in the US, at that place might be a trivial colour coded map of the US on the dorsum. This map is the USDA Establish Hardiness Map. To read the map, you match the colour of your expanse to the colour on the table and that volition tell you the months you should exist able to sow the seeds and expect a harvest. However, this is just a guide. The Us is a big state with diverse climates and micro-climates and there is no way exact planting dates for each area tin be listed on the back of a seed packet. In that location is more than to your gardening climate than only knowing your gardening zone. I take a brusk climate ecourse that can help you truly understand YOUR gardening climate.
10. This last area tells y'all what twelvemonth the seeds are packed for and when to sell by. Now, seeds don't expire so yous don't have to worry as well much nearly this date. But their germination charge per unit decreases the older they are so you don't desire to waste money purchase purchasing concluding year's seeds – unless they're on clearance, of grade.

And that'due south how to read a seed packet. Remember, the data on the seed packet is just a starting identify. If yous truly desire to have a productive garden yous'll demand to try new things, discover, and takes notes. Yous can but a plain screw notebook for your notes or if you demand something to help you organize your notes and thoughts The Gardening Notebook will exercise only that.

Where to Buy Seed Packets

MIgardener

Photograph Credit: migardener.com

Migardener is a small family owned seed company that specializes in heirloom seeds. Most of their seed packets are just $ii with free shipping on orders over $12.

Heirloom Seeds for your Garden

Photograph Credit: seedsforgenerations.com

Seeds for Generations is another small family endemic business. They have a good variety of seeds at reasonable prices. One fun thing is that their children help in the store and you'll often receive a package with handwriting from one of their younger children who inspected the sees and packet. So fun.

Loftier Mowing Seeds

Photo Credit: shareasale.com

Ane of the things I love about High Mowing seeds is that they not only sell small seed packets but they besides sell seeds in quantity which is nifty for growing for markets.

Botanical Interest Seeds

Photo Credit: shareasale.com

Botanical Involvement probably has the pretties seed packets on the marketplace. But they aren't just a pretty confront, their seeds are reasonably priced and they have large variety of seeds and growing information on their site.

Storing and Germinating Seeds

When stored properly, most seeds remain viable for several years. Here are some ideas for organizing and storing seeds.

To determine if onetime seeds are viable you can practise a seed formation test.

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Source: https://www.schneiderpeeps.com/how-to-read-a-seed-packet/