How To Read Seed Packets: A Beginner's Guide To Planting Instructions
Updated: Sep 2
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Your Ultimate Guide To Understanding Seed Packet Information
Have you ever looked at your seed packet and wondered what all the information means? How do I use this information, and why does it matter? You are not alone! When I first started gardening, I read the back of a seed packet and was instantly confused. I had to search for each term and determine why I needed to know this information, and how it would impact my garden.
Shortly after this experience, I decided to start a blog about gardening. This post will cover seed packet information in one post so you can easily reference it when you are reading your seed packet!
How to Read a Seed Packet?
First, know that not all seed packets are created equally. As shown in the photos below, the information on a seed packet varies significantly. I recommend beginner gardeners start with seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds; they have a wealth of information on their seed packs. After a season or 2, you can purchase seeds from other places and utilize the internet or previous knowledge to supplement most information.
Then, it's as easy as reading the packet. Generally, seed packets contain growing information, days to germinate, and days to harvest, among other things. Knowing what it all means and determining which information is relevant depends on how long you have been gardening. Check out the section above that goes into detail about general seed packet information.
What Information Is Found On Seed Packets?
The brand of seed you have will determine what information you have to work with for your seed. Below is a list of what can generally be found on seed packets. Keep reading to learn what each of these pieces of information means and how you can use the information for a more successful gardening season.
Instructions
Suggestions
Information about the plant itself
Days to germination
Days to harvest
Spacing row/plant
Zone map
When to start seeds indoors
How deep to sow seeds
Sunlight, water & soil preference
Container information
Frost hardy
What Does The Information On A Seed Packet Mean?
Essentially, the seed packet information tells you the relevant information about the plant. Including when to plant as well as when to start the seeds indoors (or if it's best to direct sow). Typically, the sun requirements, planting depth, seed spacing & days to harvest are also included.
Continue reading to learn more about all the terms typically found on a seed packet.
Seed Packet Terminology
Instructions - generally contain how & when to sow seeds, when to thin seedlings, and may also contain what size to harvest
Suggestions - tips on how to make the best use of your plant
Information about the plant itself - a detailed description of what you can expect the fruit of your plant to look and taste like
Days to germination - the number of days the seed will take to sprout
Days to harvest - the number of days until you can harvest the fruit of the plant
Spacing row/plant - how close you can place the seeds in a row and how close you can place the rows to each other
Zone map - a map of the USA that shows when you can plant the seed based on location
When to start seeds indoors - if you choose to start seeds indoors, this will tell you how early before the first frost you should start the seed indoors
How deep to sow seeds - how deep to place your seed in the ground
Sunlight, water & soil preference - how much sun, water, and type of soil your seed needs
Container information - if this seed can be grown in a container - this should tell you what size of a container to use and how many seeds can be in 1 planter
Frost hardy - tells you if your plant survives a frost
My favorite seed packet so far is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - they do such a great job with their seed packets. They include information about the plant itself, germination, temperature, spacing/depth, frost information, and sun requirements.
How Do I Use The Seed Packet Information?
I choose to take all of the seed packet information and enter it into a spreadsheet. This way, I can always have an easy reference of what my seeds need. Having all of the seed information in one place also allows me to easily plan my garden.
If you don't want to use a spreadsheet, you can also read the packet information when you are planning your garden for the year, and keep it in mind when you go to plant.
Seed packet information should be read before planting so you will be aware of the needs, and while you are planting so you can ensure the best placement for your plants. For example, you want to avoid planting something that needs full sun in a place that only receives partial sun.
In addition to knowing the placement of your plants (beginning of the season), the information will also help at the end of the season when you read the frost information.
As you will see below, different companies provide different information on their seed packets. If a seed packet doesn't include all the information you would like, I recommend doing a Google search. A Google search of the plant will be able to provide you with the information you need to be successful.
Interested In More Beginner Garden Tips?
This is the final post of a five-part series on Angie's Recipe Garden.
Over the last few weeks, I covered the following topics:
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