Thursday, March 3, 2011

Simple ID’s for seed sowing

 

2010 06 11 003-1

It’s almost time for some of us to start our seeds, some later, others earlier.

If you are like me, the joy of seeds is in the purchasing of the brilliantly colored packages, in seeing them sprout, not so much the actual planting, and waiting.

And somehow every year I managed to mix things up a little too much, moving a batch of seedlings from one tray to another, or mixing up the pots by accident.  There was the one time that Bootsie ran wild, and knocked off the seed pack from it’s bamboo skewer, and I couldn’t remember which was which.

When you live in close quarters, every inch counts, and I don’t have the luxury of spreading my seed pots out in different trays.

So I was happy to find a solution that worked very well for me.

2010 06 11 004-1

Having lots of colored scrap paper, I created a master tag color for each type of seed.  Then every pot with that seed had the same color tag in it.  The tags lasted well into the growing season, in fact I had to remove them before planting.  After watering they don’t look so pristine, but who cares, the color is the key.

This is one of those “it’s so easy, why didn’t I think of this years ago” situations.  Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you.

2010 06 11 008-1

No matter how many times the pots get shuffled around, the tags stay intact, just refer to the master sign, and you will always know which pot is which.

And it sure beats upside down seed packets on bamboo skewers.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

18 comments:

  1. So, how do I get my seeds into the frozen ground under 40 cm of snow?

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  2. This is a nifty way of keeping things in order..

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  3. That is such a great idea Jen. Especially because no matter what ink I use the names always get rained off anyway leaving me to wonder what the plants are until they get big enough to identify.

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  4. Fantastic idea Jen and just in time for seed starting season!

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  5. Great idea. Beats buying the plastic ones that deteriorate too. Will give it a try.

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  6. Good idea, i always have trouble reading tags I scribbled six weeks ago!

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  7. A genius, Jen! Bless you for starting seeds ... You are a better gardener than I in that respect. Happy March :)

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  8. Great idea! I've already got some seedlings that need to be moved from one tray, and with 5 varieties of tomatoes I'm wondering how many I'll get mixed up because they look the same. Isn't it great that it's time to start seeds?

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  9. Looks good Jen but I have a 5 year old "helper" and have to do something more permanent...

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  10. I LOVE this idea, Jen!!! I am looking forward to get growing, but I need to be more selective in what I plant this year. Between the bunnies & deer and some underground critter, many of my plants disappeared!
    Happy weekend to you ~ Zuzu

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  11. Sent you an email at your request...

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  12. I love your seed marker palette Jen! Sweet idea!

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  13. Too cold to plant seeds..too much SNOW..I think I am going to plant tomatoes and lettuce..but not til May..I hope the snow is gone by then:(

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  14. Hi Jen, I've awarded you the stylish blogger award! Visit my blog for more details :)

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  15. Hello! Your lovely sunflower caught my eye. Brilliant suggetion for seed labels, I always tell myself I will remember what the pots are and I always forget. This year thought I would be very clever and use lolly pop sticks... not a good idea, they soaked up the water from the compost and now I can't read what I had written. I love your pics and will visit again. Ronnie

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  16. All I use are used wooden coffee stirs I bring home from work and a Sharpie. You're way more creative.

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  17. What a genius idea! Doesn't the paper go soggy though?

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Your comments are the flowers that bloom in my virtual blogging garden.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

PS: No word verification here, sorry I cannot reply to blogs that use word verification.