Seed savers believe in miracles. Or as Henry David Thoreau put it, “I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”
With summer underway, I am collecting: poppy pods, foxglove seeds, and columbine seeds to save for winter, when I will sprinkle them in my northern California garden and await the wonders. Meanwhile I’m storing the seeds in a slim lidded tin, a very satisfying way to organize envelopes, labels, and little jars.
I wish you the same happiness. Here are a few simple supplies to assemble your own DIY seed saving kit:
Photography by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.
Watchmaker’s Case
![I keep all my seed saving supplies in an metal Watchmaker\2\17;s Cases. The aluminum case is only \2 inches tall, has a lid, and is \$\14.80 from Lee Valley Tools (the cases come in several sizes).](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-supplies-assembled-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
Screw Top Jars
![The watchmaker\2\17;s case came with \20 jars with screw-on lids. (the jars are just the right size to hold seeds).](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-jars-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
Cotton Tape
![I labeled the jars with white cotton tape. A similar spool of \1/\2-inch Waterproof Tape is \$5.95 from B&H. A box of \1\2 No. \2 Cedar Pencils is \$5.59 from Dick Blick.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-cotton-tape-pencil-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
Kraft Paper Envelopes
![A set of \25 brown Kraft Paper Seed Envelopes with cord clasps, big enough to hold large poppy pods, is \$7.\24 from Goldberg Gartenschatz via Etsy.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-envelopes-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
Seed Packets
![Packets of Flower Seeds such as Amaranth Green Tails, Zinnia Oklahoma Ivory, and Chocolate Lace Flower are\$3.95 apiece from Floret Farm.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
When I buy seeds to sow, after I open the envelope I store any leftover seeds in the airtight jars.
Wooden Plant Labels
![A package of 50 6-inch Wooden Plant Labels is \$4.45 from Horticultural Products and Services.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-plant-markers-mimi-giboin-733x1100.jpg)
DIY Seed Saving Kit
![The seed saving kit keeps everything organized and tidy. Plus, the little jars make a nice clicking sound when you arrange them in rows in the watchmaker\2\17;s case.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/seed-saving-kit-diy-supplies-mimi-giboin-733x489.jpg)
- DIY: How to Save Seeds.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Seed Saving Envelopes.
- Object of Desire: The Mighty Seed Box by Franklyn & Vincent.
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