In our post about seed packaging, storage, and labelling I promised follow-on freebie for recording information on seed packets. Here are four free seed label templates to help with recording information on different types of packets, including full labels for gathered seeds and supplemental labels for pre-packaged and purchased seeds. These are very simple freebies, but the labels are already proving to be incredibly useful. I wish I’d started using them sooner!
Labelling Seeds for Easy Use
Whatever method you use for storing seeds, labelling is key to keeping things user-friendly. I’ll never be a super-organised person who records seed information in my garden journal. I do, however, like to keep key information on the packet. That way, I can easily check it while I’m sorting or when I’m in the garden planting.
If you are gathering and saving seeds, you will need to label your containers or packets. You might also want to label (or relabel) swapped and shared seeds. Some purchased seeds have detailed planting information on the packet, but not always. Some of my favourite suppliers use very simple packets with only the name, sowing season, and best before details. I like having more specific information at hand, so I’ve been scribbling on whatever free space I can find on packets. That’s been less than ideal. Blank space is limited and I often accidentally cut or tear my notes during use. Bummer.
To solve my seed-keeping problems, I created a simple peel-and-stick label template that I can pop onto seed packets, bought or otherwise. I find them very handy, so I’m sharing the files so you can use them to make your own, if you’d like.
Our Seed Information Label Template Formats
When formatting my labels for sharing, I ran into a dilemma. I had planned to share ready-to-print freebies, like our other printables. The easiest way to use these templates is on printable self-adhesive labels; however, formats vary significantly and we have readers all around the globe. Formats also change with time. I have self-adhesive labels in my stationary stash that have already been superseded by new formats with slightly different peel-and-stick dimensions. So what to do?
I decided to provide these freebies as single label jpeg templates instead. They are versatile rectangular designs than can be inserted into a wide variety of printable label formats. The design and layout are intentionally forgiving for variations in width-to-height ratio. This includes the option of using more/less white space to pad the ends to make the design fit your rectangle.
The label templates have two different data sets. The green labels are for recording a full set of packet information (including plant name, variety, etc. along with planting information). The blue labels are for adding supplemental information to existing packets (includes purchase and planting information). If you also use a seed index or keep garden journal notes with a reference number, the circles provide a convenient place for adding your reference. Each is available as a vertical or horizontal layout so you can choose whatever best suits your preferences and packets. You don’t need to use all of the prompts/blanks. Just whatever suits your style of record keeping. Easy peasy!
These templates are free for your personal use as a little present from us to you. It’s absolutely not required, but it would be awesome and greatly appreciated if you joined us social media, if you’re not already following the fun. We welcome social media shares and linking, but please link to this post, not the download direct. Thanks!
Access and Download the Free Seed Label Template Files
These files have been uploaded for sharing via Dropbox. Click the link(s) above to view and download. You do not need to have a Dropbox account to access or download the files. Dropbox may offer present you with options, but if you’re not interested, you can just dismiss any offers and download the file to your computer/device using the arrow icon (upper right).
You can use these to create your own labels in whatever format you wish, but they were designed to suit rectangular self-adhesive printable labels. Templates are usually available from the website of your label supplier that allow you to fill the label boxes with an inserted image. If you are having trouble getting the resizing and/or alignment to your liking, check the positioning and/or text wrapping settings. They’re frequent culprits in Word-based label templates.
The print-out labels that you see me using in these pictures are old-style AU/NZ Avery DL33 (33 labels to an A4 Sheet). These have since been superseded by newer slightly different 33 formats. New formats would likely be similar, but my oldies are perfect for fitting width-wise over non-essential info on standard sized seed packets. You will need to keep your writing small if you want to record lots of detail. You can also use a larger label if you’d like – I test fitted an old Avery DL16 and it works nicely vertically. Small works great for me on my pre-packaged seeds. I’ll be keeping a sheet ready on hand for all of my new seeds going forward.
