How to Read a Seed Packet
A seed packet tells you days to maturity, planting depth, spacing, sun requirements, and whether to start indoors. Here’s what each line means.
Most beginners skip the packet. It’s the most useful 3x5 card in gardening.
What Each Line Means
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Days to maturity | From transplant or sprout |
| Depth | How deep to plant |
| Spacing | Distance between plants |
| Sun | Full/partial/shade |
| Start indoors | Weeks before last frost |
| Direct sow | Plant outside directly |
| Germination | Days to sprout |
Reading “Days to Maturity”
- From seed: Days from planting to harvest.
- From transplant: Days from transplanting to harvest.
- From sprout: Days from germination.
Common Questions
Why do days vary? Weather, soil, and variety.
What does “F1” mean? First-generation hybrid. Uniform, not seed-savable.
What’s “open-pollinated”? Seeds grow true to type. Can be saved.
What’s “heirloom”? Open-pollinated variety, 50+ years old.
What’s “organic”? Grown without synthetic pesticides.
What does “determinate” mean? Bush-type tomatoes that stop growing at a fixed height.