2025 - Challenge (seed sowing)

I use pencil for labelling. For long life, I use a Dymo printing thingy. Won't be printing any off for these seeds. Its all part of the challenge - guessing what they are in 3 years time.

First up - the Acer griseum/Paper bark maple. Chosen because the sowing guidelines suggest sowing the seeds as soon as you receive them. "First soak the seeds for 24 hours. Then sow them and cold stratify. Move to 1-8C for 2-4 months". That'll be the GH as its very cold there now.

Given the "sow when received " instruction I had a rummage in my seed hoard and found 3 packets of Acer seeds from 2022!! They're all being soaked now.
Apparently, the seeds can take up to 2 years to germinate so I'm not expecting to have to worry about where to plant 50 or so maples for a few years.

The problem will be trying to find them after a few more successional challenges have wafted through. I've not found a (cheap) label that the writing lasts two years. You're in the right place for some slate labels though.

JJB you need this pen https://amzn.eu/d/7ujFZtl 

you can buy them individually, just first link I found. Brilliant and will write on most things and is uv stable. 
I use them all the time and on yogurt pot & margarine tub labels. 
Especially as you’re planning on treating yourself 

Oooh interesting,  I usually end up with Sharpies. Off to order. Thanks

Sown 2 more packets of Chiltern seeds - Onion Walla Walla & the Rhubarb "Champagne".
That's 4 down and 78 to go.

Sown 2 more packets of Chiltern seeds - Cauliflower All Year Round & Broccoli - Spigariello.
That's 6 down and 76 to go.

First up - the Acer griseum/Paper bark maple. Chosen because the sowing guidelines suggest sowing the seeds as soon as you receive them. "First soak the seeds for 24 hours. Then sow them and cold stratify. Move to 1-8C for 2-4 months". That'll be the GH as its very cold there now.

Given the "sow when received " instruction I had a rummage in my seed hoard and found 3 packets of Acer seeds from 2022!! They're all being soaked now.
Apparently, the seeds can take up to 2 years to germinate so I'm not expecting to have to worry about where to plant 50 or so maples for a few years.

The problem will be trying to find them after a few more successional challenges have wafted through. I've not found a (cheap) label that the writing lasts two years. You're in the right place for some slate labels though.

JJB you need this pen https://amzn.eu/d/7ujFZtl 

you can buy them individually, just first link I found. Brilliant and will write on most things and is uv stable. 
I use them all the time and on yogurt pot & margarine tub labels. 
Especially as you’re planning on treating yourself 

I am going to buy them pens - they look like they have pretty thin tips, is that right? Thank you for sharing
I have these and they are fantastic. I have white plastic labels that I wrote on two and a half years ago, and the writing is exactly as it was the day I wrote them.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08H...UTF8&psc=1

I think I am doing the same challenge, but backwards! Don't buy anymore seeds until I have sown seeds of all my seed types (i.e. once I've sown beetroot, I can buy more beetroot seeds (not that I need more!!)).

But I'm definitely in on this challenge!