How to Read Seed Packets

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Learning just how to read and understand a seed packet can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner.

They offer a lot of information intended to help you grow healthy and productive plants, but what does all that information mean?

This easy-to-follow guide will walk you through reading and understanding the seed packet information so that you will be a successful gardener.

How to Read Seed Packets

Seed companies want to provide you with information that will help you understand the characteristics and best practices to grow the seed inside their packets.

They fully intend you to be a successful grower and love their seeds. So that you tell your friends and they order seeds.

This information, though, can seem confusing. It’s provided to help you grow better gardens for your zones and areas you live in.

Many companies also will provide free seed catalogs if requested. Not every company has catalogs, but all their seeds will be listed on their company website. These catalogs will provide even more information that may not be listed on their seed packets.

Their seed packets are clearly labeled, and all the information you need is on them.

But just what does all this information mean? Let’s take a look…….

RELATED: Even if you’ve never gardened before, this Vegetable Gardening for Beginners Ultimate Guide is for you! Learn everything you need to know from over 60 resources, all in one place, to be a successful gardener, including improving soil, cover crops, warm and cool season crops, organic amendments, fertilizing, watering, garden pests and diseases and so much more.

How Do You Read A Seed Packet?

Some companies will provide us with well-researched information on their packets; others may not. Because a company does not provide “the research,” does not mean the seed is not viable or the company is bad.

I prefer to buy seeds from companies that do provide at least the basic information. Otherwise, without the best tips from the grower, we may miss out on some important information.

If a seed packet is vague, I always pass them by, though. And I also prefer seed packets that have a really large image or drawing of the kind of seed inside. This makes searching through my seed organizers a lot quicker and easier when thumbing through to find a specific seed I’m looking for.

I’m going lead you through the information on both the front and back of a seed packet. In order to give you a better understanding of how to read a seed packet.

Front of Seed Packet

By no means do all seed companies provide you with everything, but a good one will provide as much as possible to fit on that cute little seed pack?

Understanding the information being provided is going to be very helpful in having a successful garden.

The following facts will normally be found on a seed packet. Understanding these will make your shopping for seeds easier.

1. Image Of Plant

Not all packages will provide a photo. But the photo is a very good way to see what the plant will look like when fully matured and as I said earlier, it makes it much easier to find with sifting through seed packets.

2. Common Plant Name

The common name Squash is easily found in a large print. Often times in flower seeds, the packet will contain the Latin or Botanical name of the flower as well.

3. Cultivar Variety

This is a specific type of information about the mature plant itself. Each plant will normally have many different varieties or cultivars. So, understanding this is critical when ordering seeds.

The variety or cultivar Yellow Summer Crookneck is normally below in a smaller print under the Common Plant Name.

Some other squash varieties are the Black Beauty Zucchini and the Early Prolific Straightneck. There are many others, but all of them are squash family members.

4. Price / Quantity / Weight

Seeds are more affordable than buying seedlings from the local nursery.

How many seeds come in a seed packet? You’ll learn as you go; not all seeds are the same in size.

You can have only a few larger seeds in a regular-size seed packet to hundreds of smaller ones. Tomatoes are much smaller than larger pumpkin seeds.

The price of seeds is based on what they cost to be produced and packaged. So prices will vary. Price may or may not be provided on a seed packet.

Not all seed companies put a price on their packs. Many companies will measure each packet for varying weights and cost of production and then price all seed packets the same.

Seeds are measured in grams. So when you order a seed packet that weighs 1 gram, you will get more tomato seeds than pumpkin seeds.

5. Seed Distributor Company Name

You will always find the company name on the front side. Some will also include the year established in an effort to gain your trust, as well as their business slogan, but not always.

Seed Label Terminology Defined

Depending on how a seed was produced or grown will determine the variety label it is given. For example:

Organic

Organic seeds are grown in a completely natural soil with regards to fertilizer and pesticides. No chemicals have been used on the plant or the soil.

In order for a company to sport the USDA Organic logo, the has to have been grown and processed on a certified farm that has met “the USDA Organic standards” guidelines.

GMO

Genetically Modified Organism. The seed’s DNA has been completely altered to perform in a way that it would never have grown naturally.

They are normally pest and disease-resistant, and a lot of the nutritional value has been lost. These seeds are used for mass-production crops. And not sold to the common producer.

Heirloom or Open-Pollinated

Seeds produced in open-pollinated plants and have been proven to reproduce themselves naturally. Seeds can be saved and replanted and will reproduce themselves.

These seeds still remain untainted by genetics. And their nutritional value is still high as well.

Hybrid

A plant that has been intentionally cross-pollinated with two different varieties of a cultivar to provide the best traits and disease resistance.  In an effort to produce higher yields, better quality, and have the best traits of each parent plant.   Hybrids will not reproduce themselves.

Annual / Biennial / Perennial

• Annual – grows, blooms, and dies in one growing season.
• Biennial – does not bloom until their second year and then die
• Perennial – regrows year and year if hardy enough to survive winter (some perennials can be taken inside for winter)

Determinate vs Indeterminate

Determinate

A plant that grows to a certain size and stops.  (various breeds of plants grow to 2-4 feet and bush out and set bloom).

A good example is the bush green bean and the Amish paste tomato I use for making both homemade pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce.

Determinate plants grow to a certain height and produce all at one time.

Indeterminate

A vining-type plant that continues to grow until killed by frost. (some tomato varieties and even green beans continue to grow to 6-8 feet or more – these should be trellised)

Back Side of Seed Packet

The back of the seed pack is where you will find the bulk of the information and instructions. Again, not all seed packets are the same, but most planting instructions are on the backside.

Everything on the back side is there to help you make informed choices of the type of seed you will need in your growing conditions.

1. Plant Name and Botanical Name

Again, the name of the plant will be repeated on the back. This helps keep them from easily confusing them when working with more than one seed packet at a time.

2. Description or Traits

The plant description is normally defined by a fully grown mature plant’s color, size, height, etc.. It will tell you if the type of blossom is attractive to pollinators, uses for harvest, how late into the year they will bloom, and a whole host of other information.

Some, but not all, packets will provide nutritional value too.

3. Sowing Information

This section will give you detailed information about the best way to plant a specific seed. For example, if they need to be started indoors before last frost or direct sown into garden soil.

The packet will tell you the best way to plant for the best harvest. Such as…

• Planting after the danger of frost has passed in a sunny location
• How to sow into the soil – (sow five seeds spaced evenly on a 9-12 inch hill)
• How deep to plant – (planting depth 1 inch)
• When to “thin” for best crop – (cut all but 3 strongest seedlings per hill)
• How to avoid weeding – (mulch heavily)

RELATED: Just as with spring gardening, here’s how you can plan for fall garden harvest.

4. Suggestions for Increasing Production

Again, not all companies offer this section on their seed packets. Find detailed information: (pick early and often…not picking will stop production)

Indoor or Outdoor Sowing?

Some seeds will need to be started indoors 4-6 weeks or more before the last frost. This is to get you a head-start on your garden season. This is critical if your area has a short growing season.

These squash are directly outdoors in the soil.

5. Days to Germination

This is the area that defines the average number of days it takes for seed to germinate once planted into the soil. It is not 100% precise, though.

Other variations that could affect germination are soil temperatures and proper lighting if you are starting seeds indoors. And even soil moisture and soil conditions.

If a seed packet gives an example of 7-10 days. You may see a few seeds germinate within the first 7 days, but you can expect it to be closer to 10 days and possibly even more.

NOTE: Seed viability does diminish over time. The fresher your seeds, the better the chance for germination.

6. Planting Depth

In general, seeds are normally recommended to be planted 2 times the width or diameter of the seed itself. This is just a general rule of thumb.

However, the planting depth should be clearly defined when reading seed packets. (Planting Depth 1 inch)

7. Days To Harvest

What do the days on a seed packet mean? The estimated number of days to harvest is until the garden plant has germinated, flowered, produced fruit, and is ready to harvest.

You can mark your calendar or make notes in your gardening notebook journal and know pretty darn close when you can plan to harvest and produce your herbs or flowers.

8. Thinning

What does this mean on a seed packet? Thinning instructions are included for spacing immature seedlings. Oftentimes, many will “double plant” seeds just in case some don’t germinate. (This is NOT indicated on this particular packet)

Once they begin to set true leaves, they will need to be thinned to allow adequate growth space for individual plants to mature.

9. Spacing: Row and Plant

This information is totally dependent on the mature plant size. As it grows, it will continue to increase in size until it is mature and set in bloom.

The seed packet will define the proper “spacing” a mature plant needs to be able to spread/grow. Normally, the space between each plant and each row is defined. (Row spacing/plant 3-4 feet)

To make the most of the space you have, before you begin your garden, create a garden map to maximize your space.

10. Hardiness Zone

A good seed company will provide the hardiness zone for which the plant will best grow. If you don’t know your zone, the USDA Hardiness zone map can help.

Most garden centers and retail stores stock seeds that will grow well in their zone. But, if you order from a seed catalog, this may not be the case.

So, be sure to do your research on the particular flower/vegetable you wish to purchase. This will help to ensure you don’t try to grow a lemon tree in a zone with a cold winter that will not survive.

This article will offer some additional tips to save time and money when buying seeds.

11. Horticulture Company

This is the address of the farm or company that grew, produced, and packaged the contents of the seed packet. This is a good indicator of whether or not seeds were grown within your growing zone.

If so, it is already well-acclimated to your climate, resulting in stronger, healthier, higher-yield plants. This information may or may not be provided.

12. Packed For / Sell By Date

Packed date is the year the seeds were harvested and packaged for use. And then, the Sell By date is the recommended date it should be used.

Seeds have an average life span in which they’re still viable for germination when stored at room temperature. This Viability Chart from High Mowing Seeds is a good reference for storing seeds.

The older a seed becomes, the less likely they are to germinate. So, how long seed packets last really depends on the variety of seeds inside them.

Growing up on a small farm, I remember my mom and dad saving seeds yearly. They would store them in metal coffee cans or plastic butter bowls with lids in the freezer. 

If you have been gardening for years, this information may seem trivial.  But for a new gardener, understanding and reading seed packets can be confusing.

Learning how to read a seed packet does take some practice, but it will become easier with time.

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