>> It is really handy to have several small packets already labeled to share when you want to.
I strongly agree! It also helps prevent awkwardness when you offer someone seeds, then realize they were your last few.
Sometimes if I have a big batch of seed, I'll split out a few individual trades so I'm ready, but save storage space by leaving most of the seed in the big pkt. But I print many extra labels and store them right with the seeds so I never have to rely on my handwriting.
I like using glassine envelopes a little bigger than the 2x3 Ziplocks, to group same-seed-pkts together with extra labels. Or I pack multiple 2x3 Ziplocs inside a 3x4 Ziploc.
>> As for the zip lock larger ones I use a shoebox; you can also insert an index card inside the bag to help hold it's shape.
Great tip! That's well worth an extra tip-of-the-day acorn!
I have many "sandwich baggies" each holding multiple 2x3" Ziplocs for a seed collection I'm holding, but they flop around, even if they're inside a gallon Ziploc. If I insert an index card, card stock, or chipboard cut from a frozen TV dinner (and maybe tape it to the baggie), they will stand up proudly so I can read their labels!
>> how expensive are the binders and pages?
Any office I've worked in periodically throws away old, dusty binders. Try asking 9-5 friends to keep their eyes open for free binders. Until then, store the pages in a cardboard box, they should stand up straight.
Online, I saw baseball-card-collector pages with 1-12 pockets for prices like these:
$14 / 50 pages
$6 / 25 pages (Amazon.com)
Say, ~ 25 cents per page in bulk.
But I would think that, for LARGE numbers of pkts, it would be cheaper to use some "bulk" method like quart-size and gallon-size Ziploc bags. You can nest quart and sandwich-size sub-categories inside the gallon-sized category, and use cardboard boxes to group categories together in alphabetical order.
Or: hanging file folders or even file cabinets. Those also tend to get thrown out of offices, or show up for cheap at Goodwill. However, imagine pretty, stacking, home-made wooden hanging file holders!
You might tape the lower third of the file folder edges if pkts or plastic bags tend to slip out. They also make acordian-fold file folders that would hold huge numbers of seed pkts.
I wonder what the Svalbord Seed Vault uses?
As for the zip lock larger ones I use a shoebox; you can also insert an index card inside the bag to help hold it's shape.
