Try a spreadsheet to log all your seed info

[SMT]

Do you have a stack of seed packets and wonder where to start? I know I did. What I'm about to say is probably not the first time it has been mentioned, but I hadn't heard it being done so thought I would share anyway.

Basically, I'm fairly new to growing my own home grown veg. This will be my 3rd year. In the past I have been eager to sow crops and transpant them. Later, down the line I think to my self, ' DOH!!! I was suppose to sow those seeds that were tucked away in the box!!!!'. So this year I have included the basic growing info on a spread sheet.

As you can see in the screen picture, I have created a monthly grid from left to right and the vegetable names running down the left hand side. Green highlighted squares indicate suitable sow times and red indicates estimated harvest time. I have thrown in a few useful notes just to remind me.

I'm finding this useful to then plan my sow dates diary so the veg garden can be planned around a few veg shows and multiple cropping. All the info you need is on one sheet where as trying to dart from one packet to the next without forgetting what you just read on the last packet is a nightmare.

Hope its of some use to anyone.

[Jillyreeves]

I have done the same, included seeds, onion sets, garlic, Potatoes. Took me while to pull together as over 200 varieties to list on it, but worth while I am sure :-)

[kiwirach]

wow, thats great to actually see someones spreadsheet. i'm just in the process of putting together some spreadsheet info, to try and make sense of my pile of seeds!.

[stella]

Looks great and so helpful, now where did I put the list

[Jardiniere]

I've done a spreadsheet too but its not as good as yours SMT - will go and update mine i think!

[Jeanied]

SMT what a great spreadsheet - * dashes off to do some more work on mine!

[weekendwellies]

I did a similar one, but I found during the main growing and harvesting period there was so much actual work to do I didn't have the time to check the spreadsheet!
It is good to do during the quiet time in December/January to help you organise your seeds and refresh your memory of what you have.

[oldie]

I used Hazel's S/S to develop a similar one - BUT, although an ex-IT man and have a disciplined back-up system when my power supply blew and killed the computer I lost the up to date file. Not to be deterred I loaded my back-up on to my daughter's computer. Shortly after that the microsoft mouse got in(I use Linux) and chewed up the hard disk on that computer so that copy went as well. Back to pencil and paper.

[Prince of Durham]

Thats dedication. I have an end of season performance chart for each type and its location on the plot. But I still enjoy the grubby old note books with bits of doodle and stains from various spills. I might have to raise my game..

[quark1]

SMT - that looks very smart - perhaps you could do some folks a favour and put up your template spreadsheet for dowloading if you have the facility? If you leave your data/varieties the peeps can edit out what they don't need and add as applicable. Eliminate all personal stuff of course.

For everyone's info there is a seed sowing guide available on T&M website which I've recommended before. Those clever enough can perhaps use comma delimted downloads to form up their database/spreadsheet. Just one problem - I've just looked for this and only the booklet to buy seems to be available. I'll see if I can find the link to establish if its stilll active.

OK - found it!

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seed-sowing.html

It does not contain recommended months of planting to harvest but does have important info on germination temps/times etc. Does include flowers and veg.

[Bigmallly]

This is handy to keep in your favourites.

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