Best Seed Storage System I've EVER Used! (2024)

How do you store yours? Would love to know. Here are the links to the items I use to store mine:
→ Seed Storage Box: amzn.to/39BmZtc
→ Labels: amzn.to/2wP9J6W

“When it comes to seeds my budget seems to be infinity”
Relatable.

One of my favorite seed storage hacks: any time I get dessicant packets (in food packaging, medication bottles, etc.) I save them and toss them in with my seeds to absorb any errant moisture that may sneak in.

I worked at a government feed bank and there were seeds from the 70s that still had decent germination rates that were used

This year(2020),my Mother found some packs of cosmos flowers seeds, that she carried with her on several moves from one residence to another. She thought they must be 25-30 years old.
She threw them all in and sowed them, in a large tray, and they all sprouted perfectly! Just mention this to reinforce that most seeds are naturally pretty hearty and will more than likely produce after years of being stored dry. (We are in New England, Mass. and N.H.)

“I have way too many seeds...” said no real gardener ever.

I literally just decided today to start organizing seeds - and then you put out this video
The universe is telling me to sort my goddam seeds!

We use those photo cases for small seed packets too! Only I label the edge with masking tape for month I need to start them based on temperature/DTM. One for veggies, one for flowers. Helps me keep up with succession planting, reorganizing packets end of each month. Thanks for sharing!

There's also important planting information on the packets so removing that would deprive yourself of much needed info.

Saw your storage cases last year-- immediately adopted it and now have 3 cases! Spring, Fall, and Flowers.

I use a clear shoe organizer that hangs on a door. Each pocket holds several packets and is organized by type (arugula, lettuce, cabbage, chard, herbs, flowers).

That would really help me out. I usually keep my seeds in rarely labeled bags, and those are found in random vases, drawers, and cabinets. It's like an Easter egg hunt and a box of chocolate.

So glad I found this video! I have way too many seeds; it's a little out of hand. Popped in to my local Hobby Lobby, & bought a photo organizer after seeing this. Great advice! Also, you mentioned in this video that seeds can last decades. That's so true; I'm growing some lettuce from seeds I've had since 1989!

I use those Pokémon / baseball card holder in a large folder. You can see all the packets and seed varieties. I then use those folder tab dividers to section based on seed families.

Right on! So glad to see you've made it over from the dark side and are enjoying the system! Lol. Thanks for shoutout, tips and love my friend!

I have my seeds organized in a 4” zippered binder. I just use the photo pocket binder sheets (the ones with 4 pockets per sheet). Even the large Baker Creek seed packets fit! I have my spring/summer seeds in the front and fall seeds in the back. It makes it really easy for me to visualize what I have on hand when I’m planning my garden.

I highly recommend putting little packets of silica to absorb moisture. You can make them using coffee filters at an extremely reasonable price. I love the photo box idea! I am so going to do it.

I've used hanging jewelry organizers, coupon file folders, glass jars and God knows what all over 30 years. I clicked on the link and was delighted that they are BPA free! And acid and PVC free! That would be worth mentioning. I promptly ordered them. And they come in a pack of two cases. You just saved my life and my seeds ☺️

Thank you so much for purchasing our seeds, we so appreciate it. Also, this storage system is awesome!

This year I sorted my seeds into months. I used to forget seed. Especially in months like September for something that comes up in March. I've written it in my garden notebook and I also have months where I write what perrenials to harvest that month and what I have sown that year. Some months have bulky containers, July-September is just a couple of packages but that'll change because some seeda you can sow twice a year. I'm really excited about the coming year.

I store seeds in small zipper bags (3x4”) and store the bags in a shoe box. It’s so perfect and almost free.

Great storage solution. My daughter and I never throw seeds away. We use them year to year with no noticeable difference in germination or production. I enjoy your show, Kevin. Thanks for being there for us.

I keeps all my seeds to freezer! 8 years old seeds still grows like fresh one!
Thanks to the video!

Great storage idea. You answered my question about how long seeds last. Thanks for that😄 👍

I use an over the door shoe and jewelry organizer. It's see through, making it easy to see everything or organize by type, it holds packs in ziplock or pill bottles, it's in a cool dark place when the door is closed and it's cheap.

Good system. I would stick a silica pack in each plastic envelope. Thank you.

My father in law brought back home a few pine cones from Turkey ( those large ones that you get pine nuts from). They were used as a cristmas decration in their house for like 25 years.
Last year I got one and realised that it's full of seeds. Wthout thinking I planted them and now I've got my own little garden of tiny pine trees. They're so precious and rare where I live.

I so needed this right now. My mom and just divided up all our seeds that we each had this weekend. I have been keeping my seeds in a shoe box but wasn't happy with it. My mom keeps hers in a croissant plastic pack from Walmart.

I've done the same thing you did about 9 months ago. I also made a list on my phone, so when I go to order, I know exactly which variety I already have. Hard lesson learned when I had 4 packets of the same thing haha.

Everybody’s latent farmer genes are kicking in because we might have an insecure food supply and we have to get our crops going

Epic Gardening
I am originally from the Caribbean, am a new gardener here in Pennsylvania (Zone 6a)

For my regular sized seed packages, I close the opening with clips if I opened that seed bag already. I store all of them in a small cardboard box. I have this large bag of strawberry bulbs that don't fit in there so I put it in an empty frozen veggie bag that can reseal at the top, like a ziploc bag that I didn't have to pay extra for.

I am so relieved! Thank you for sharing this info! I just got 258 seed pks from value. This time of year they are only 25 cents and I really stocked up. Im so glad to hear that they will last for years. As I was packing them for storage I was wondering about shelf life! So this is a huge relief!!!!

I got the organizer u suggested and it is THE BEST!! So, so easy, portable, and my seeds are beautifully organized. I labeled them too. Such a relief not to waste time hunting for what I want. You changed my life!!!

That is a brilliant idea and I will definitely look into using this system. One downside I noticed (same problem I'm having now with the packets) when you opened the "Lettuces" container there were seeds that have spilled out. Once they get mixed it'll be difficult to know what seed is what.
I use ziplock bags. I'll mix seeds that are obvious different (like beans with lettuce) so if they spill out I'll know what is what. The seed company called Seeds of Change are smart and sell their packets with resealable packets. Maybe a 3rd layer of protection is needed. But I really love this idea and will figure a way to use it. Thank you for sharing.

As a newbie in Zone 3, I really really appreciate that you mention the different zone considerations. I also like that, with this method, you don't lose the package information!

I use ammo boxes from Academy. Packets sit perfectly upright and you can thumb through them. I make dividers for them. For smaller inventory though. Like your idea.

Omgosh, I'm so smart and didn't know it. I've only been seriously gardening for 6 years. Two years ago I bought these plastic containers for my seeds. I've never been sure putting seeds in plastic was good for them but it's so convenient. Since you do, I guess it's not going to hurt seeds. I've got three now and need to buy another. I am going to do some of the organisation you've done. Thanks. One whole case is just flowers. I am really seriously into gardening!😊

I use the same boxes and system you use in here. It is my absolute favorite way to save seeds. I have struggled for years to find a good system and this is it! I love that the boxes can go to the garden with you. I have mine in alphabetical order though rather than by planting season.

Thank you for you videos! They are so informative! I live in The Bahamas and started my seedling business in Dec. In the Summer it is hot and humid and I was advised to keep them in the fridge. So for now I store mine in zip lock bags in the refrigerator (Roots, Night Shades,Legumes, Green leaf, Herbs, Medicinals and Flowers). I would love to purchase these cases but might have to buy a refrigerator just for my seeds🤣😂

This video came just in time because I lost all of my seeds last year thinking I had them stored properly and didn't. I'm going to get this today ASAP.

As with a LOT of people, I started a garden for the first time this year. It started off quite small and sane but now I have dozens of seed packs and I've been stressing on how to store them. So glad this popped up in my suggestions! You filmed this before I subscribed, lol. 100% going to use this storage method. It's genius!

My small (so far) collection is almost bursting out of the lock tite box I found. This box is a great idea. Thanks the wonderful video. 🌱

I have two of the photo boxes full of seeds...and ordered more this week. Since I needed more storage, Michael's had them on sale in their Black Friday sale, so I bought two more yesterday. (I did some seed-saving this year, so I truly needed more storage.) Worse comes to worse, I will gift one to my daughter.

Infinity seed budget? Yes, Hunny! Me too! I keep saying, "I think this is finally it. No more needed, but yet I keep buying bahaha! Your method is amazing! I use two giant baby spinach containers, one for warm and one for cold stuff, and plastic pillow case bags (like what new ones come in) to further divide into herbs, flowers, vegetables.

Oh my goodness! I totally forgot to thank you for this video!! 😂 I now have three! Flowers and herbs in one and veggies in the other two. I do have a shoebox sized box for bulky packets like beans, peas and beets but oh my goodness so glad I saw this video a few months ago!! Thank you!! Once this season is done, they’ll be hanging out in my pantry where I keep the window closed all the time and have a thick curtain hanging to keep light out. I found that they’re great for when bringing out just a few of the individual cartridges into the garden and when done just stick them back in the case. Just awesome! A worthwhile investment is an understatement😊

Seeds will store longer in glass containers with seals on the lids (for example: wide mouth mason jars). Moisture can actually penetrate plastic over time. Seeds last longer in environments with little moisture, heat and light.

I thought I loved my storage containers until I saw those. Guess I will show the wife since my birthday is coming up. Also there are seeds that have been found and grown from tombs in the pyramids. Stay safe, stay healthy, grow on!

I store my seeds in those cases as well. I saw you show that case idea in a previous video and loved it so much I ran out and bought one. My seed collection keeps growing so I have 3 now. 2 for veggies and one for flowers. I labeled mine as well Really works great !!!

Yup, I am a fan & going to give his a go.
Thank you for sharing it with us and also kudos to you for doing a shout-out for the person you learned it from💖

I purchase the recommended storage system from Micheals on sale at $14.99 each.

My best storage for seeds that will last me for ages and its totally free:
PRO-tip:
I grow them
and store the seeds they produce :)
Best storage I know for the long run.

we currently use these boxes for sorting/storing legos...but love this idea for seeds!

I'm a seed collecting addict as well. I have one for those photo storage containers as well! I love it! Labelled as well. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

“When it comes to seeds my budget seems to be infinity” same
My bank account: 🤨🤨🤨😩

Yes 🙌🏼 I use photo boxes for my seeds too! They are great.

I have had these as my seed storage for about 3 years now. My wife surprised me.with it and thought it would be perfect for my seeds

i just throw them in a binder sleeve in the binder.. but seeds and package are also inside a ziplock bag.. so i dont lose or mix seeds..
i have a binder for each raised bed

I will be critical of your seed storage method . if you’re really looking to keep your seeds in good condition. You must keep them in airtight conditions. Your method is not airtight. and there is a chance for moisture or other contamination. You can just use a simple good quality Ziploc bag and silica packets. This gets very effective results.

yes, I have used these for a long time. I quickly went to the 5x7 photo boxes because I use a lot of veg seed from Europe which are a lot larger. also with the 5x7 you can put two smaller seed packets side by side.

Oh I love the seed storage idea. I was using old pill bottles washed out but I ran out of room to stack them. I'm also a seed crazy person with so many seeds that I couldn't possibly use them all.

I had mine in binders and some just slip out! This is sssoooo awesome! Best form of seed organizing I have seen so far!!! 💗love it!💗

I just saw another RUclipsr storing seeds this way. Must be a sign that I need to grab another one of those guys the next time I’m at Michaels. Great video!

I leave them in the packet. They are organized in a plastic box by growing season. I used a 5x7 index card to divide them, then alphabetical lol. I Throw a little DE in the box to protect from seed bugs. It's not as clean looking as yours but it works. Very nice, organization, love it! For the trees and bushes seeds I've collected over the years, get a ziplock and a 5 gallon food bucket, they're just crammed in there, but they are identified.

I like this. I have been storing mine in small plastic shoe box tubs. Then I use clothespins to pinch them together in little packs. But I am quickly outgrowing that little shoe box!

As a beginner with one 4'x4' bed, all my seeds fit in one quart-sized zipper baggie, in my fridge. If I ever have more than that, this system appeals to my hyper-organized self. Thanks!

This is my first year gardening & thanks for the tips for storing my seeds for next year

I have these boxes. I bought to organize tubs and tubs of pictures. I have only one half full. I think I will switch it up to this hack instead of organizing 30 years of pix. Thanks again Kevin.

I was storing my seeds in an old plastic grocery bag and I have misplaced it. I can’t find it to save my life lol. I decided to find a new way of seed storage this year. I really like this idea.

I left my seeds in their tiny zip bags 2x2in.,this is how I stored my seeds.I used sticky lables cut to fit tops of compartments with names of seeds,easy to peel and replace.😀👍🏼

I am a scrapbooker and have several of these containers ! Thanks for this tip!

I bought one of these and it's been fabulous. I will need another though...there's no end to seed buying and saving 👍🏽

I love it. And I have one box for my tomato seeds (because I'm tomato obsessed) and 2 for veggies :)

We just started a vegetable garden this year but I've had a lot of flower seeds. I love this idea. Thanks.

I love this system. I got my organizer at Michaels.

I have a old metal toolbox that was sandblasted and painted. I then store my packets by when to plant e.g., start 4 weeks before last frost, direct sow 2 weeks before last frost, repeat sow in cooler weather (radishes), repeat sow in warm weather (basil), etc.

My budget seems to be infinity...excellent description of all gardeners

Thank you so much for doing this video! I have accumulated a ton of seeds and they're just in bags everywhere and no place to store them. I have been trying to figure out for weeks how I can store them properly and organize them and you completely read my mind! I love the seed storage box. I'm buying one now! God bless!

I just saw a great picture on facebook about using a photoalbum to store seeds. You know the ones with transparent pockets to slide pictures into. You end up with a handy book and can still read the package without taking it out.

I use these photo bins also & I love them. I have 2 clear (warm & cool season) and 1 colorful one for flowers. Mine are all labeled like that too.

My OCD is loving the photo cases!

I loved your new way for storing so much I just ordered two boxes. Thanks. Murray. Very well done video with excellent information.

I am new to your channel, but absolutely love your informative way of sharing with us. Easy to grasp even for a new gardener like me. Thank you for what you do.

I love your method! I gradually collected seeds so I have ended up with dozens of different little glass and plastic bottles, probes, bags etc. Now I just need sth like that !

I just watched this video for the first time, 8/3/20...Michael's has these boxes on sale for $14.99! You know I bought one

That's awesome! I use those exact photo storage cases for my daughter's homeschool felt sets. Never occurred! Getting some more soon! Seeds currently organized in zipper bags by type in an extra refrigerator door...has worked well, but always room for improvement!

Thanks for sharing this idea. I bought cases like this years ago from LTD Commodities to store photos in. After seeing your video I promptly purchased some more for organizing my seeds in. It has work out wonderfully!

Love this idea! I’ve been using a photo album, but my seed collection is expanding beyond what the album can hold. I’ll be on the lookout for these photo boxes. Thanks!

This is brilliant. I really needed a new system! This is perfect and also wonderful for my crazy organization self.

The fact that you said, "back in the day when we used to take photos" made me feel SO old.😂
I also ordered your book off Amazon without knowing it was you. Can't wait!

So..in order to keep my seeds I went to the dollar store and got storage containers that have lids and then I have them stored together in a market bag..but I LOVE this idea even better because its soooo easy to travel with the case outside of it

I store all my seed packs in plastic zip bags in seed family groups for cold or warm weather planting, then store IN THE REFRIGERATOR with cardboard in front to protect against light as the door is opened.

Homestead and Chill are the best! Sweet shoutout

just last night we were wondering what we could use to store seeds effectively. Gr8 idea! and perfect timing.

I like the idea to use photo organizer. I was about to use old pill bottle to also roll up and save the seed packages but then realized it’s gonna take up sooo much space lol. And I take my seeds with me when I go out to the garden. I try to take all my little tools with me. So I have a shower tote but it gets all jumbled and seeds slip out of the package and then it’s basically a random seed unless I can identify it. Thank you ❤

This is a perfect system for the amount of seeds you have. I only have around 50 seed packs so I keep mine in a plastic storage case. It has 3 tiers which can be independently removed and those slot things for if you want smaller gaps. I made little paper packets for my loose seeds which fit perfectly and It also has a handle so I can easily grab the whole thing and take outside to plant with.

Ahhhh so awesome! I have loads of those same little cases left over from when I Kon Mari'd my art supply area and ditched or reorganised a bunch of cardmaking embellishments, etc. This is SO much better than my current, stand the seed packets up in an old tub of dishwasher soap method!

Thank you so much for this tip.
I've purchased 3 of them from Michael's. 2 for me and 1 for my neighbor. God bless ,stay safe and encourage someone else to grow grow grow .

I use these as well, I have the rainbow version... also alphabetical, and even tomatoes, beans, cukes by color... waiting for my third so I can divide flowers - love mine!

Thank you for a great suggestion. I've already ordered mine. Like you, I'm also zone 10b and I really appreciate your viewpoint.