1 of 7

EcoGardenista Guide:

Packaging Native Seeds that Feed Local Ecosystems While Building Community���Jennifer Dirking�EcoGardenista@gmail.com�

2 of 7

Seed Packaging Instructions

Materials

  1. Avery Labels – 5162
  2. Small Envelopes (2.25 x 3.5 inch)
  3. Measuring spoons – suggested amounts:
    1. ½ teaspoon for wildflowers
    2. ½ teaspoon for poppies
    3. ¼ teaspoon for milkweed or yarrow
  4. Scissors
  5. Printer (with good supply of ink)
  6. Paper for handouts – sharing information and resources is more empowering and enduring than the seeds alone.
  7. Optional: Bamboo organizer to store and display finished seed packets

​

3 of 7

Seed Packaging Instructions

Designing Labels

  1. Go to Avery.com
  2. Choose template for 5162
  3. Insert an image

Note: iNaturalist.org has thousands of great images, and if you set the license to “CC-BY-NC” (Creative Commons, Byline, NonCommercial) then you can use them with attribution for non-commercial purposes (education, non-profit, etc.).

  • Insert a text box and write planting instructions, etc.
  • Create a back label with additional information, leave over ½ inch white space on right-hand side (to trim later)
  • Print front and back labels
  • Trim back label by about ½ inch

​

4 of 7

Seed Packaging Instructions

Filling and Labeling Packets

  1. In first (internal) packet, measure seeds*, place in packet, fold over flap, fold in middle

​

* ½ teaspoon for wildflower mixes

* A heaping ¼ teaspoon for milkweed

2. For second (external) packet, place label so that approx. ¼ inch is off edge; wrap to the back

3. Place folded seed packet into labeled packet, put (trimmed)* back label on reverse, covering the flap

​

*trimmed by about ½ inch

5 of 7

Event Display Examples

Bamboo organizers keep the packets tidy and categorized; handouts can be flat on the table or folded and stored in a bamboo box (see display on right). Sample handouts are: Grow Milkweed Grow Monarchs and Wildflowers for Pollinators and EcoGardenista's Resource Handout

​

Some useful books to have on hand are here: https://bit.ly/Native-Plant-Butterfly-Books The books serve as an ‘on the spot’ reference, and people can take a picture of them to get from library or buy on their own later.

6 of 7

Sample Budget and Calculations

You can access a budget with tabs for Wildflower, Milkweed, and Overall Project Calculations here: https://bit.ly/Seed-Packaging-Calculations

7 of 7

Questions?

Contact: Jennifer Dirking

​

Email: EcoGardenista@gmail.com

Website: EcoGardenista.org

Blog: https://ecogardenista.blogspot.com/

Instagram: @EcoGardenista

Nextdoor: https://bit.ly/Nextdoor-Bees-Butterflies-Birds

​

Image: White Lined Sphinx Moth with Hummingbird Sage © Merav Vonshak (CC-BY-NC) on iNaturalist.org