Seed Inventory
TilthIQ's Seed Inventory lets you track every seed packet you own, so you always know what is available, what is running low, and what needs to be reordered before the next planting season.
What You Can Track
Each seed record stores:
- Plant and Variety — linked to the Plant Database
- Category — e.g., Vegetable, Herb, Flower, Fruit
- Crop Rotation Family — for planning and rotation purposes
- Quantity — number of packets or approximate seed count remaining
- Storage Location — where the packet is stored (e.g., "Seed Box A," "Freezer," "Drawer")
- Purchase Date — when you acquired the seeds
- Expiry Date — the packet's printed expiry or your estimated viability window
- Notes — sourcing notes, germination rate observations, etc.
- Image — a photo of the seed packet for easy visual identification
Adding Seeds
You can add seeds in two ways:
- Manual entry — click + Add Seeds on the Seeds page and fill in the form
- AI Photo Identifier — click Identify from Photo and upload a picture of your seed packet. The Garden AI reads the packet label and pre-fills the form fields for you
The AI photo identifier is especially useful when adding a large collection of packets at once, as it dramatically speeds up data entry.
Note: The AI Photo Identifier requires a Garden Pro or Garden Team subscription.
Why Track Quantity and Expiry
Quantity tracking prevents the frustration of planning a planting and then discovering the packet is empty when you reach for it. Updating quantity after each planting session takes only a moment.
Expiry tracking helps you prioritize which seeds to use each season. Seeds do not become completely unviable the day after their expiry date — many retain good germination rates for 1 to 3 years past expiry — but tracking expiry helps you rotate through older stock strategically.
TilthIQ flags seeds as Expired when their expiry date is in the past, making it easy to identify which packets need a germination test before planting.
Organizing Your Inventory
Use the Storage Location field to match TilthIQ's records to your physical seed storage system. If you store seeds in labeled boxes, use the same box names in TilthIQ for quick cross-referencing.
Tip: Do a full seed inventory audit at the end of each growing season — before you order new seeds. You will often discover packets you forgot you had, saving money on duplicate purchases.