Friday 21 February 2014

Finally got the seeds sorted!!!

So with the days getting longer and slightly warmer I figured it really was time for me to get my butt into gear and get the seeds sorted.

I had planned on maybe going in the garden yesterday afternoon or even spending an hour up the allotment but when this happened....

Heavy Rain...again!!
Heavy Rain...again!!

I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go through my seeds. I emptied out my seed box from the allotment and started sorting and cataloguing what I had....

Seeds left from last year.
Seeds left from last year.
I was surprised at how few seeds I had left to be honest but then I remembered that in an effort to not waste money I bought only a few select seeds last year with an attempt to use up what I had...seems like this worked pretty well!!

So with so few seeds I then needed to sort out what to buy for this year. Luckily our allotment shop has plenty in stock to choose from and so I started going through the list...crossing off what I didn't one and adding up what I was going to spend on ones I wanted to stock and grow for this year.

Seeds to be ordered.
Seeds to be ordered.

Seeds to be ordered.
Seeds to be ordered.
The photo isn't great but let me tell you there are quite a few on there to be ordered...after totting it all up the total is £23.45 which although seems a lot is a massive saving to what I would spend in town!!

There are still a few I will have to order as I like to grow some things that the shop don't have in and then I like to look for something unique to grow each year too...haven't looked yet so I'm not sure what that will be this year.

So once all that was done I was just left to put the seeds I do have in my box...es....

Seed storage boxes.
Seed storage boxes.
So here are my boxes. Having two has certainly made it easier to sort things out. Although they come with dividers to sort your seeds into months of planting I have turned those round and wrote seeds categories on them as I find it is a better system for me to look through what I have and I rarely look at when things should be planted anyway going more with gut instinct and the weather that is happening at the time.

So that is all done...of course there were a few seeds that were out of date according the packing instructions. I guess we all get those and then you have the thought of, 'Will they grow if I plant them or will I just be wasting my time?' I totally understand this and would hate to waste the space of planting seeds that may not germinate...at the same time though I really hate waste. So what will I do with those out of date seeds??/ Well that's a post for tomorrow so I hope you come back to find out!!
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13 comments:

  1. I think the use by dates are just a guideline, I always use out of date seeds and don't notice much difference germination wise. I'm going to try to use up lots of old seed this year, I've got so many opened packets that I shall try to whittle them down.

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    1. I think all dates are just a guideline jo and common sense just has to be used. I rarely take note of date on food, after all when I buy it from a butchers or pick it from my garden it has no date on it!! Of course the difference with seeds is you won't know until you have that gaping whole on your growing scheme that the seeds were no good!!

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  2. A blog I visit had a good tip for testing seed viability, Set a few on a damp paper towel and see if they germinate - just like growing cress at school. It saves sowing some that really won't produce and wasting time waiting to find out,

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    1. Your stealing part of my next post Sue...lol

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    2. No worries...it's good to know other people aren't just wasting seeds too!!

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  3. I chucked away a few opened packets earlier on this year when I had my sort out. I don't think it made too much of a dent though.

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    1. Probably didn't make too much of a dent but what a waste!!!

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  4. You did well at using up your seeds last year. I imagine the savings in not having to buy all the things you grow in the grocery store is immense in comparison to the cost of the seeds also

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    1. This is true Ann but I really don't like to waste anything...I don't consider myself stingy more resourceful!! Lol

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  5. It's good that you get the seeds you need from your gardeners' association - that must be a good saving to start with. I like the sound of your storage boxes with the different compartments.

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    1. I save a huge amount bu buyinf from the association Linda. The storgae boxes are great...even better now that i have two!!

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  6. Dear Tanya, I am dreaming of starting my planting too.
    I will have to go through my seeds as well. It is quite cold here today.
    Yesterday was a tease. It was warmer than usual, only for today to be windy and cold again.
    'It will soon be spring though.
    I hate to waste too.
    Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!