11 Practical Tips For How to Organize Seeds The Right Way

This post is all about the best way to store and organize seeds.

Gardening and organization don’t always go hand in hand. 

The beauty of nature is that things grow in their own unique and organic ways. Vines twist and turn, grow beds can zig-zag by the end of the season and each water droplet falls down a leaf on its own unique path.  

That being said, planning and organizing can support an abundant garden! 

A disorganized garden shed, seed bank, or garden tool bag happens to all of us but having a system to keep your seed packets dry, protected, and organized can transform the way you garden! 

This list is full of inspiration for DIY seed organizers that you can create using items you already own or other affordable store-bought options.

Use this guide to get your seeds perfectly organized so that your garden can blossom and thrive! 

How to keep track of seeds and sort seeds

Before we get into specific seed organization ideas let’s cover the different ways to categorize seeds. 

No matter which container you choose, it’s helpful to sort seeds into smaller subcategories inside the larger container. 

The category you should choose will depend on how many seeds you have and what your garden goals are! 

• Age of seed (use the first in, first out system to prioritize using older seeds first
• Type of seed (vegetable, herbs, fruits, flowers etc.)
• Growing seasons 
• Indoor vs. outdoor planting 
• Germination rate (how long they will take to sprout so quickly or slowly) 
• Perennial vs. Annual 
• Storage requirements (cold, dry, or room temperature storage)
• Edible vs. Ornamental 
• Physical seed size 
• Alphabetical order by the name of the seed 

How to Organize Garden Seeds

1. Glass mason jars

No need to go out and buy anything! I’m sure you have some glass jars lying around already. You can leave your seeds in their seed packets and throw them in the jars. 

Or if you have a large seed collection you can take the seeds out and label the jars with a label maker or tape. 

I love upcycling jars from pasta, peanut butter etc. for a budget-friendly option.

This airtight container keeps your seeds safe from moisture and pests.

2. Upcycle an old mini fridge

Maybe you still have your mini fridge from college that never gets used anymore or can find one at the thrift store. 

Use it to keep your seeds safe!

Use clear storage containers to keep the packets separated.

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3. Plastic bins with dividers for classic seed storage

Tackle boxes or craft boxes are a classic seed organizer option for a reason- it works well! 

I love this option because you can easily see a quick spread of all the seeds you have. No digging around is needed.

4. Small envelopes

A simple paper envelope or one that seals is simple yet effective. All you need to do is use a permanent marker to label them.

I love that they are uniform and stack well inside a toolbox or air tight bin. 

5. Repurpose spice jars 

Spice jars are the perfect size for seed storage. Wash them out and make sure they are completely dry before adding your seeds in.

You can print labels to add to the tops and sides of the bottles to easily identify your seeds.

6. Vacuum-sealed bags 

If you are a seed collector or just impulse buy too many seeds when you go to the garden shop (no shame!) consider vacuum sealing them. 

This will keep them perfectly safe from air and humidity even if you leave them in your garden shed or garage.

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7. Photo storage boxes

Photos are mostly stored digitally these days so check in your garage or attic for an old photo storage box. 

These work perfectly to repurpose as a seed organizer option. Leave the seeds in the packets or drop them right into each section.

8. Plastic bags or silicone bags 

Use eco-friendly plastic bags, save old Ziploc bags, or buy some silicone reusable bags.

This is a great seed storage idea if you have a small collection of seeds. It will keep them safe but isn’t a complicated storage system. 

9. DIY seed organizer catalog 

This is a scrapbooking version of seed storage and may not be the most practical but it is cute.

Use a notebook and pretty washi tape to tape your seed packets onto each page.

You can add drawings, growing tips, or recipes you love to make with the produce from each seed. Again, this option is great if you have a small seed collection. 

10. Vintage box or wood box 

Efficiency is great but pretty things are important too!

Thrift a vintage box or buy a locally made wood box to store your seed collection in.

It may not be the best option in terms of perfectly preserving your seeds but for a casual hobby gardener it may be the perfect fit. 

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11. Binder with pockets 

Rather than trading cards, you can clearly display your seed packets.

Pick up some dividers to keep the categories separated. I love this option because you can easily see what you have!

And if you go to a seed swap it is easy to simply throw the binder into a bag. 

Tips For Storing Seeds Properly 

• Throw out old seeds (aka if they accidentally got exposed to water or humidity and are rotting)
• Always keep your seeds in a dry place (with airtight containers) so they’re ready for next season.
• Choose an organization method that you can realistically keep up with. Sometimes simple is best.
• Don’t feel pressured to go out and buy a bunch of plastic containers. Try to use one of the upcycling ideas on this list. 
• Bags and envelopes are great for categorization but they need to be in a sturdy box so they don’t get crushed.
• Keep your seed stash safe from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. 
• Decide if you need long-term seed storage or just a simple organization system. 

Have any other ideas for storing seeds? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.

Stay well, 

Maggie

This post was all about how to organize seeds.

Other gardening and organization posts you may like: 

7 Lush Full Sun Plants for Front Porch Hanging Baskets, Containers and Window boxes 

23 Beginner-Friendly Terrace Gardening Ideas For Your Cozy Apartment

Exactly How to Compost in Your Dorm Room or Apartment

The Best Resilient Classroom Plants to Liven Up Your Classroom 

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