A Beginner's Guide To Seed Packet Information

Vegetable Seed Packets Explained! Right now is the time of year when new and old gardener alike tend to amass hundreds of seed packets of their favorite garden vegetable crops. What some might not know however, is that each seed packet is like a mini encyclopedia of information...a blueprint on how to grow that potential crop inside!
Join me today as I show you the 8 main pieces of information that I look for in a new seed packet, and how to decode and decipher that information so that you're planting those seeds to grow the most epic crops this summer.
Other videos that can help you start that perfect garden:
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Prevent Damping Off In Seedlings: • Damping Off In Seedlin...
15 Easiest Crops To Grow For Beginners: • The 15 Easiest Vegetab...
Direct Seeding vs Starter Plant: • Direct Seeding Vs Star... ​​
100% Germination?: • Seed Germination - 5 R... ​​​
Seed Starting Soil: • How To Make Your Own S... ​​​
Seed Starting 101, The Basics!: • How To Start Vegetable... ​​​
Starting Tomato Seeds: • How To Grow Tomatoes F... ​
Starting Pepper Seeds: • Growing Peppers Part 1... ​
Starting Cucumber Seeds: • How To Grow Cucumbers ... ​​​
Starting Zucchini Seeds: • Growing Zucchinis The ... ​​​
Starting Corn Seeds: • Growing Corn - Part 1 ... ​​​
Starting Pumpkin Seeds: • How To Grow Pumpkins -... ​​​
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#gardening​​ #seeds​​ #homesteading​ #planting

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below if considering a purchase. It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening! 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql​​​​​ Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8​​​​​ Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa​​​​​ Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z​​​​​ Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU​​

[@amyrios5548]

Cute and smart😉😍

[@ameerrocco2679]

I guess Im randomly asking but does someone know a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the password. I would love any tricks you can give me.

[@cairojoel8943]

@Ameer Rocco instablaster :)

[@ameerrocco2679]

@Cairo Joel Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process now. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@ameerrocco2679]

@Cairo Joel It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much, you really help me out!

[@ronnie7701]

My greenhouse is full of a young garden thanks 🙏 to you! I love it! I’ve had a garden 🪴 every year since I can remember but this year, it’s the best ever. Very informative and a great speaker!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Love it! So happy to hear! :-)

[@sircorkysriley4904]

me Too I agree

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sircorkysriley4904 cheers! :-)

[@theloosemonkeybackyardgard506]

Great info for those of us that don’t read instructions 🤪 Some seed packets also contain the germination rate, which helps to determine how many seeds you want to sow in each container. If there’s a 70% germination rate you might want to go with 3 seeds instead of 2. Thanks again Jeff !

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Totally! Great point. Germination rates!!! Of course I'd forget an important one like that one. Sigh. -_-

[@theloosemonkeybackyardgard506]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Don’t beat yourself up 🤪 I only have one seed company that I deal with that list germination rates 😀

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@theloosemonkeybackyardgard506 :-)

[@kurtgrau8156]

I enjoy the way you talk, its relaxing.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers kurt, thanks for the support!!

[@johnmccoy2721]

100% agree-I was an avid fisherman years ago and I used to say that 95% of fishing lures were made to catch fishermen not fish. I am learning as a new gardener that it holds true in this great sport as well. A lot of things are not needed. Great video again Sir.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Totally right John! Hope the weekend was good...can't believe its back to Monday tomorrow! -_-

[@johnmccoy2721]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Getting the Spring itch real bad man. I keep pouring beer on it but the rash is spreading HAHA. Here in Virginia it is finally starting to warm up in the 50's F. I've sun mapped my hard so many times my neighbors think I have gone crazy LOL

[@johnmccoy2721]

Yard not hard above sorry typo.

[@RavenFirewind]

I don't know how I missed this before or if I just forgot, but I'm so happy to see a fellow Canuck on here. As soon as I saw West Coast Seeds, I was like, "Wait a minute, they're Canadian--do they ship to the States, too?" And maybe they do, but it got me curious, lol. Your suitability is likely to be a little different from mine (Ontario), but the climate is roughly the same, so it's really insightful to see what works for you and test whether it will for me. All of this was helpful too; I definitely feel the frustration over the days being inconsistent between planting, germination, or transplanting. 😅 But it's fun learning how each one works, and trial and error is a valuable teacher. 😊

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, glad you did! Thanks for watching and y fingers crossed for a great season in 2024!

[@RavenFirewind]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms No problem, I love your videos! Here's to a prolific growing year! 🌱

[@Donna_G]

That part that showed you tossing the seeds up and letting the fall where they will is exactly how I planted my wildflower garden. I just tossed the seed up and let them stay where they hit the soil. I used a light spray and watered them in and let the seeds do their thing. I wanted the garden to look as if Mother Nature planted it. She doesn't plant in neat rows. With the landscaping that was done last fall, there is no place for me to have even a container garden to grow veggies. But, when I did have a garden in my parents' back yard, I grew some things from seed and some from started plants. We didn't have the World Wide Web back then; but, I got a lot of good information from seed packets, gardening books, and the people who worked at Hoak's Nursery. Trial and error was also good experience.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Same here Donna....I did a mixed flower bed in the front and that's exactly what I did. Just tossed the seed and voila! It was awesome!

[@usewisdom2]

How great.😊 yes, the good ole days.

[@dvybryson7300]

I am new. Love your videos. I started keeping ‘date seeds purchased or acquired’ and ‘seed vendor’.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, thanks for stopping by and best of luck! :-)

[@TatiaDee]

Very helpful information 👌 Thank you 😍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Tatia! :-)

[@rhondamoffit6490]

YOU HAVE THE BEST INFORMATIVE VIDEOS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on rhonda, too kind! Hope the weekend treated you well!

[@wedtokerhimrarib3123]

Helpful & informative. As always, thank you.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Appreciate that, thanks so much for watching. :-)

[@qmoonwalker3847]

Great info! Really like the summary you are putting at the end of your videos!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Q! I actually start with the summary now when I script the video out. Helps me to really visualize that I'm getting everything I know about the subject into the video as possible! Cheers. :-)

[@qmoonwalker3847]

Ahhhh. Great idea! In the aerospace industry we called that BLUF (bottom line up front).

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@qmoonwalker3847 ha ha well, I've been called a "space cadet" more than once, lol. :)

[@usewisdom2]

Absolutely. Wish I could capture that layout and print it for reminder.

[@shanewest7731]

KZbin at it's best. Cheers mate!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Shane, appreciate the support! :-)

[@DanielW607]

Sorry if I’m 12 hours late, but would you mind doing a video on the basics of worm buying, keeping, and how to use them in your compost/ garden. I am almost done building my first few garden beds and your channel over the past year has taught me a lot on how to get ready for the season. It’s be really neat if you could explain worms and stuff like that cause I heard they can help speed up your compost and improve garden soil.👍🏼🌱☘️

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely Daniel!! Worm Farms are so cool. Very handy to have.

[@DanielW607]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks! Can’t wait to watch it

[@terrychrist1383]

Thank you great video for beginners 👍😃

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Terry, glad you found it helpful! :-)

[@johnmccoy2721]

Looking back through all your videos now to see if you have one already. - that may be a video idea for ya. Sun mapping for us first time gardeners. Orienting of a new garden by tracking the monthly movement of the sun can make a huge difference. I am going to plant in grow bags for year one and map each month the sun movement so I optimize when I start my raised beds for year 2. I know south facing, but the shadows from trees can really move around.

[@esthert5191]

I would love a video on that topic as with me too will plant in grow bags

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely. And not just trees...greenhouse, regular house, shed..so may sources of shade to consider. Great to get a sense of the best places to grow in your garden BEFORE planting! :-)

[@ronnie7701]

Awesome Chanel! Thax🪴

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks so much! Too kind. :-)

[@rlbgardener6465]

Hi Jeff, I’ve been watching your videos for quite some time now and fined them packed full of great information. Great videos keep up the great work. Oh by the way what hardiness zone are you living in?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks so much...very appreciated! We are in zone 9 - 9b.

[@DDinColorado]

Double "Thumbs Up" love the channel, just found it!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks for that! Appreciate the support. :-)

[@usewisdom2]

Thank you so much. You're the best. No one else talks about this very important topic . Maybe its my problem why I dont get good results when I grow in soil. 😊 btw, What is the name of the Group that you mentioned to join if we're interested in organic growing? I couldn't find it in the Description below video. Thanks in advance. Namaste.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks for that and thanks for watching! The group on FB is called "Growing Better". Hope to see you there! 🙂

[@markrodgers1965]

I always wonder if when you buy a vegetable 🍅 at the store, save the seed, and then plant it, will that plant produce better seeds ? Can you shine light on this though

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Mark, I don't think in any case the plant will produce "better" seeds. It can produce the same seeds, especially if it was an heirloom or non-hybrid variety. Likely though, being in the grocery store, the produce was a hybrid, meaning any seeds from it will grow plants of unknown traits.

[@markrodgers1965]

I’m confused on a package of beef stake tomato two spacing numbers are stated 4” and 36”. Can you shine some light on this information

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Two numbers means two things usually. In the case of dense seeds, it means row space and plant space. In the case of your beefsteak toms, it means initial seed sowing density....then thin the adult plants to 3 feet apart.

[@melissasullivan1658]

You know what would’ve been excellent to know about my peas last year? That inoculant was required. 😬

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Generally if planted straight into the garden or compost inoculants aren't necessary Melissa.

[@Jeff-rd6hb]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms TBH, I've never used inoculants. The first time I grew fava beans the packet said to inoculate them. I didn't, and they grew just fine...actually turned into a jungle of delicious beans. I save enough dried ones every year to overstuff the original packet, then plant those the next season...lather, rinse, repeat.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@Jeff-rd6hb yup, exactly. I say don't bother, UNLESS you're having growth and/or germination issues. Then start looking at things like inoculants to solve the problem. :-)

[@paduvathil]

W❤O❤N❤D❤E❤R❤F❤U❤L Really loved it I have gone through this video...Really loved it keep it up keep uploading thanks 👌👌👌 ❤❤❤

[@michelerichard5523]

Great video. Two questions for you today😁 Once the Onion seedlings are up about two inches is it normal for the tips to turn a whiteish (is that really a word😛) Almost like the color they turn outside when dying back. Or are they trying to tell me something? Unfortunately I did not see your video on starter mix before I sowed my seeds so the only amendment I have in the mix is some worm castings. Maybe it’s time to give them a lite feeding. I have already cut the tips back like you suggested. #2 Going to be doing cut- come- again throughout the year in my grow room. Best lites, lumens, kelvin to use for that would be? I do not like the purple hue of certain grow lights but if that is what it takes I will suffer. 🪴

[@jackosallotment6224]

My new seed company i use has no info printed just simply come in a silver sealed pack with sow by date etc and where they come from. Cheers 🍻

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Maybe they provide it on their website?

[@markrodgers1965]

Hi 🙋‍♂️

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Markcash!

[@Princessgia]

Wow, I am starting to think growing my own herbs and self starting flowers isn't going to be my strong suit 😫

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nahhh.....don't think like that! Herbs and flowers are GREAT to grow! :-)

[@Princessgia]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks for your positivity. I wanted to grow some foxglove behind my knock out roses and plant a few tulip bulbs in this 8x5 area in front of my house. That I can probably pull off. My thoughts are to have something flowering spring through fall. As far as the garden herbs go. I was gifted 2 portable 2x2 gardening boxes (on wheels) from my local garden store and I was hoping to save a little cash and grow my own cooking herbs and possibly try my hand at plum tomatoes because in all honesty all tomatoes taste best vine ripen. I know I'll need deeper place to plant tomatoes. I have a lot of wildlife that visit my yard daily hence why I wouldn't want to plant directly in the ground and I cannot build my own greenhouse due to neighboring fences.

[@crystalwallin7696]

Can you save the leftover seeds from the packets? I hate to throw away seeds

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

For sure you can! I NEVER throw any of them away. For sure you get less germination as the years go on.....but at least SOME will still be good! :-)

[@diehardu2fan1]

Hi, my seed packet has the color coded table of month wise (red , blue green yellow). how do I read and understand it? example it says sow indoors in april , sow outdoors in may, transplant in june. does that mean i cannot sow directly in my garden bed in May or June?

[@lzshow]

Put it dont tell u how big of pot it requires

[@liamgrows]

??? We all know a seed packet hold the seeds

[@liamgrows]

See ya at 6 at my end

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@liamgrows 6am?! You're crazy!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

And much much more! ;-)

[@liamgrows]

No 6pm

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@liamgrows ahhhhhhh much better!!!

[@liamgrows]

27 MINSS

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That went by fast Liam! :-0

[@123roger4321]

Think you r camera is broken

[@liamgrows]

GUESS WHAT IM GETTING 25 BERE ROOT STRAWBERRY hope they don’t perish like the last 50 ODD 😡

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nice dude!!! What variety?

[@liamgrows]

Don’t know

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@liamgrows The store didn't list a type?

[@adrianne7355]

Can we talk about seed storage? I have all of them jammed into ziploc bags, about 50 folded over, torn up, ratty, falling apart packets that spill seeds everywhere. How do you store yours?