Seed packets - is it just me?

[Headfry]

Ok.......so I have my nice new crispy smart un opened seed packets, ground is ready, weather is good (sometimes)

If I tear off the top - I loose the use by, the type, the quantity of seeds, and/or other important information.
I could cut it, but not always got scissors to hand on the plot!!!!

Do any other grapes have the same problem or am I really missing something fundamental in the growing of my seeds......'how to open the wretched packet'?

This could almost be a rant! added just to show its not really a rant!!!

[Nicos]

Yup- I had the same problem!

BUT now .....once I have started to tear- I then only tear across one side- usually the front so I don't lose half the instructions!


A lot of seeds here seem to be loose packed and the number of seeds I accidentally chucked about accidentally is crazy!
More haste ..less speed and all that!

[OllieMartin]

I always have my pen knife on me, so snip a thin strip off the top and then if it's still stuck together (the glue often covers the first half inch or so) I use my knife to split the glue apart!
Takes a few seconds longer, but it's handy to have a readable packet left.

[smallblueplanet]

I've never understood why there's important info printed at the top (or bottom if you're awkward!) of seed packets - how do they think you're gonna open them up?!

[Headfry]

I'm not alone then ......why dont they make it more easy for us? Stupid stupid stupid.
This has been bugging me a while now and trying to open spring onion seeds last night, well it tipped me over the edge!!! SBP yes, how do they think we will open them!
I have tried opening from the sides and bottom but I like to store them upright in my tin, so end up with seeds or inner packets mixed up. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[jackie j]

Opened a packet of carrots at the plot yesterday, who knows where they will come up, cos they went everywhere. Bet they do better than the ones I sowed oh so neatly.

[enrich100]

solution to seed packet problem

solutions to your problem

1. you buy a pen knife as mentioned

2. you buy a duplicate packet so you have all the info to hand

3. you take your laptop and scanner down to your allotment scan the packet details save image,

open spreadsheet
a) type in number of seeds that you planted
b) add the cost of the packet
c) add the date you planted the seeds
d) workout the number of seeds that need to germinate to make it cost effective to grow you own (allowing for theft, animal damage)
e) compare to given germination rates
f) if packet is new include sow by date and seed company details
g) update blog and compare notes with your gardening Ebuddies
h) if Wifi is availiable setup webcam to watch seedlings grow from the comfort of your own home

[Headfry]

lol enrich100 lots of lol......roflol as it happens.
Started doing a spread sheet yesterday!!!!! ha ha ha
have not thought of web cam........yet......lol

[Alison]

I just prize up the flap bit with a plant label, no tearing and no loss of information atlhough to be honest I don't tend to use the packet information very much these days as I prefer my own records from previous years as they are more accurate for my climate / soil type.

[HeyWayne]

Nobody else tears them down the sides then...

[weekendwellies]

Nobody else tears them down the sides then...

I do!
Then put packet safely away to keep the relevant info, then forget all about reading said info. By the time the stuff has come up I am to busy picking it to eat to bother about checking the info.

Chucked away a load of empty seed packets this week that I had kept as above and forgotten about, I thought they were full and was planning where to plant non existent seeds.

[Hilary B]

I tear the top off carefully, and put that bit inside the packet when I put the packet away (which only happens if I didn't use all the seeds).
The only info on that bit is usually things like the date, how many seeds in the packet, and how much it cost me.

[Brengirl]

Thank gud and Enrich for that anyway. If we all did what we sort of knew what was right Google would be out of a job. In my innocence I thought if I kept the inner bag all would be revealed but NO WAY the package just says cumbit bla bla bla etc." The outer pack is all now soggy and unreadable stuck in the propagator.

[Sanjo]

Nobody else tears them down the sides then...

Why oh why have I never thought to do that! The times I have opened the packet from the bottom on the basis that it doesn't interfere with the info,packed it in the box after use and then FORGOTTEN next time that it opened underneath and it all falls out.
Well it's sorted now. Side opening from now on. Thanks Heywayne.

[SlugLobber]

I tear the top off carefully, and put that bit inside the packet when I put the packet away (which only happens if I didn't use all the seeds).
The only info on that bit is usually things like the date, how many seeds in the packet, and how much it cost me.

This is what I do, too. If I empty the packet, I spear it with a white label thingy. I'm lazy like that, as it saves me writing on the label (and it washing off/fading in the sun!)