Near Perfect Seed Storage

Seed Storage

I have found it! I have found an almost perfect seed storage container.

I recently went into Target to pick up replacement filters for my humidifier, and while searching for them happened upon the storage container aisle. I’ve been on the lookout for something to replace a bunch of my current seed storage bins that have become, through time and my seed hoarding tendencies, over-stuffed with packets. I’ve altered and improved upon my seed storage systems over the years as my collection/bank has grown, and a few years back I outlined the most recent solution [see here]. As I explained then, I do not have one system for all of my seeds, but multiple systems that suit different purposes. I also categorize my seeds by type that are further subdivided within each bin, namely: tomatoes (I must be pushing 200 varieties by now), root vegetables, legumes, herbs, flowers, greens, and so on.

Since then I have made a few changes, namely with the metal drawer units. Because those units are permanently installed in my office, I can not regulate temperature like I can with the transportable bins, and so I don’t keep as many seeds in them. The bulk of my seeds have been transferred to plastic bins because I can store them in the basement (which is consistently cool year-round) and temporarily bring them into the garden or wherever I need them to be. While plastic isn’t ideal and would be ill-suited in a more humid environment, I have never had any trouble in my climate, as long as I am sure to keep them in a cool, dry location out of the sun. I have a bunch of small bins with carrying handles purchased at the dollar store. They are amazing for smaller collections (i.e. peppers) or if I need to carry seeds away from home to trade with friends. However, they’re now too small as permanent containers for most seed categories.

Seed Storage

The New Storage System

Within the last year my seed storage situation had begun to become disorganized as bins overflowed and categories/types had to be split up across multiple boxes. I wanted to find bins that were large enough to house my growing collection and keep them organized by category. However, I wanted them to be small enough that I can continue to move them from the basement to the garden, and beyond.

And so, it was pretty exciting when I happened upon the Sterilite Stack & Carry 2-Layer Handle Box. Each bin is actually 2 compartments in 1. The height of each compartment is perfect for most seed packets stacked sideways. Only a few oddly-sized packets did not fit by this orientation within the bin. A whole 2-layer unit measures 14 3/8″ X 10 3/4″ X 7 5/8″. You can stack multiple units on top of each other or remove the lids and clip compartments together in combinations of 1, 2, 3, etc. Target Canada is in the process of closing their stores nation-wide so I got mine on sale for $8.00 each. I only bought 2 because it was all I could carry on the streetcar, but am thinking about going back for more now that I’ve tested packets in them and know how perfectly they fit.

Seed Storage

The reason why I had to refer to this as a “near perfect seed storage system” is that I have a few small complaints. Firstly, there are no dividers. I’ve been orienting 2 packets side-by-side. A divider that extended across the length of the bins would be ideal and re-positional dividers that could be placed to divide up sub-categories along the length would be AMAZING. Until I find something like that I will continue to use my cheap n’ cheerful index card system. One other noticeable issue is that the individual compartments do not lock and seal perfectly. There are small gaps that may be better for some since they allow air in, but may be problematic for others since insects could potentially get inside.

Let me know if you buy one of these boxes and how it works for you. I’ll update you in the future should I find something better.

seeds_organized2015

UPDATE: Here’s a photo of the boxes filled with seeds (plus some of the old boxes that are still in use). I even organized my tomatoes alphabetically within their subcategories. That took some doing, but was worth the effort.

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Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post and I do not have business relationships with any of the companies mentioned in this post. However, if you do purchase this product via my Amazon affiliate link, I will receive a nominal fee.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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6 thoughts on “Near Perfect Seed Storage

  1. I like your idea! It’s fun when you see what you need in a store and you did not even realize you wanted that exact thing.
    My seed storage is in an empty Xerox copy paper box, with two smaller boxes wedged inside, and in each of those I have 6×8″ oaktag dividers made from discarded file folders. It works for me. I try to keep the whole stash condensed to save space in the garage during winter storage. Lately, I have been carrying wicker trays around inside the house as I sort, husk, relabel or categorize my seed collection. I just finished prepping a dozen winter jugs which are the main seed project for this time of year. In order to get that far, I had to evaluate what I had on hand and then declare which 12 varieties were best suited for winter sowing. It seemed to take days for me to accomplish this. (Maybe because I had to keep shoveling snow every other day…)

    Having a good seed stash feels like wealth of the best sort. My storage box is merely cardboard, though. It does breathe,which is good, but it’s also vulnerable to chewing rodents.

    200 tomatoes ! Wow. Makes my mouth water.

  2. I love this! I’ve been thinking about transferring some of my seed collection in to something larger, specifically the tomatoes and peppers since those seem to be getting out of control (I’m not at 200 though!). I think I’ll hit up my local Target to see if I can snag one of these.

    Currently my system is binders with plastic dividers which have 4 slots with flaps. It works pretty well for packages that aren’t too tall and I like that the divider pages have flaps so the packages stay in place (and if anything gets tipped over, at least the seeds stay in those individual slots). But unfortunately Staples stopped making those dividers, so I’m SOL for expanding that set-up. Even if I only used one layer of the plastic bins, I could store the binders in the bottom. I’m really liking this idea, thanks for sharing!!

  3. Just a couple of retired people who love mother earth and all that she has to offer. We like to plant new or different varieties of most anything that looks good to eat. Last year I planted some “sun chokes” which I had been searching for many years. To my surprise I ended up with a ten-fold crop of delicious tubers. I still have some in the ground that can be used anytime, raw or cooked these things are soooo good. Anyway back to seeds, I had some new tomato seeds that got planted very late and again I was surprised to ge some brown tomatoes that are the best tomato that I’ve ever tasted, needless to say I’ll be planting them early so we can have some of the best eating ever.
    Just wanted to share a few things but an interested in new seeds so if you are giving away some I sure would like to have them.
    Sincerely
    James Parsons
    13343 hwy 139
    Browning, Mo. 64630

  4. I use large 3-ring binders with clear plastic pages made for holding photos. Each page holds 4 seed packages upright, and you can read front and back (or place 2 packages back to back).

    I’ve been seed starting already as I live in Florida and can’t wait to try my newest tomato varieties: Indigo sun, Indigo rose, Indigo gold and Blue berries tomatos.

  5. You can make a floating divider out of cardboard and position it longways. That will keep the packets from crossing the imaginary boundary. It appears you have made a good choice for storing seeds.

  6. 200 tomato varieties, wow!
    How do you keep them all alive, since you probably don’t plant all 200 every season?
    Great job!

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