Reading a seed packet
Seed packets have important information you need to know before seeding and growing vegetables and flowers.
The front of the seed packet lists the seed name (botanic name and common name) and a photo or drawing of the plant. It may say if the plant is an annual, a perennial or a biennial.
The back of the seed packet has lots of good information about growing your plants. Depending on the seed company, it may include some or all of the following:
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Seed count/weight |
Approximate number of seeds or the weight of the seeds in the packet |
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When to plant |
Either direct seed or grow indoors before last expected frost in your area |
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Germination |
Number of days it takes for the seed to sprout. Sometimes a packet will say if the seeds have special germination requirements like dark, light or temperature |
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Bloom |
The period when the plant produces flowers, mostly for flowering plants |
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Days to harvest/maturity
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The number of days (after germination) it takes for a plant to grow to full size and to produce vegetables |
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Soil |
Type of soil needed to grow this plant |
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Light |
Amount of sun needed to grow this plant |
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Plant size |
How tall and wide the plant will be when it is mature |
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Seed depth |
How deeply to set the seed in the soil |
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Seed spacing |
How far apart a seed should be in a row in the garden |
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Plant spacing |
How far apart transplants or seedlings should be spaced in the garden so there is enough room for the plant to grow to mature size without crowding |
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Water |
How much to water the plant |
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Growing tips |
Information about how to fertilize, pollination needs, cooking tips, how to harvest and other information to help you grow healthy plants |