Seed

Within the seed tab, you can:

• enter a direct seeding record (Direct Seeding->Input Form)
• view a direct seeding report (Direct Seeding->Report)
• enter a tray seeding record (Tray Seeding->Input Form)
• view a tray seeding report (Tray Seeding->Report)
• enter a tranplanting record (Transplanting->Input Form)
• view a transplanting report (Transplanting->Report)
• view and update seed inventory, update seed orders (Order->Input Form) (optional tab - administrative users only)
• view a seed order report (Order->Report) (optional tab - administrative users only)

Within each report, administrative users can edit and delete records.

Before the seed tab can be used, an administrative user must have entered:

• fields
• crops
• for tray seeding: any tray sizes other than standard ones pre-supplied by FARMDATA

Additionally, a crop can only be transplanted if it has been tray seeded in the same year as the transplanting. If the seed ordering tab is selected, we recommend using only seeds that are in inventory in direct seeding and tray seeding records, as this allows FARMDATA to keep the seed inventory updated. However, it is possible to enter direct seeding and tray seeding records without keeping track of seed inventory.

• Direct Seeding
  • Input Form
  • Report
• Tray Seeding
  • Input Form
  • Report
• Transplanting
  • Input Form
  • Report
• Order (optional tab)
  • Input Form
  • Report

Direct Seeding

Input Form

To use the input form:

• select the seeding date
• select the field
• select the crop seeded
• select whether the crop seeded is an annual or perennial. Annual crops can only be harvested in the same year that they are seeded. For perennial crops, select the estimated last date that the crop will be harvested. The crop can then be harvested from the planting date to the last harvest date. (Note that the last harvest date can be edited by administrative users.)
• if the seed ordering tab is selected, use the "Add Variety" button to add each variety seeded.
• depending on your FARMDATA configuration, enter either the number of bed feet seeded or the number of beds seeded. If seed ordering is selected, FARMDATA will display seed codes that have a positive inventory. Select the seed code and variety (the seed code should have been recorded on the seed packet/container) and enter the beds or bed feet for each seed packet/container. FARMDATA will automatically update the inventory for the selected seed code (unless the seed code is Not Available). We recommend updating the inventory of the seed (Seed->Order->Input Form) and then returning to the direct seeding input form, rather than selecting Not Available.
• if FARMDATA is configured for seeding by the bed foot, you can also select whether to input bed feet or row feet seeded. Seeding by the row foot is useful if you are seeding single rows of different crops within the same bed.
• select the number of rows per bed. Enter this information even if you selected "Row Feet Seeded" in the previous step, as FARMDATA uses this information to convert row feet to bed feet.
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation #
• if labor tracking is enabled, enter the number of workers and time taken (select minutes or hours). Note that the form will automatically time seeding tasks - if you open the form when you start seeding, the time in the "Enter time" box will increase by one for each minute that the form is open. This time will then be submitted when you click "Submit".
• enter any comments
• click "Submit"
• confirm data correctness by clicking "OK", or "Cancel" to modify any aspect of the seeding record

Report

To run a direct seeding report:

• select a date range
• select a crop (or All)
• select a field (or All)
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation # (or All)
• click "Submit"
• FARMDATA will then display a table of all direct seeding records that satisfy the selected parameters. If you choose a specific crop, the table will be followed by total bed and row feet seeded for that crop for the specified date range. If you choose a specific crop and a specific field, the total bed and row feet seeded are for that field only. If you choose a specific generation, only data for that generation is shown.

• administrative users can edit and delete direct seeding records

  • to delete a direct seeding record, click the "Delete" button next to that record
  • to edit a direct seeding record:
    • click the "Edit" button next to that record
    • in the resulting page, modify an aspect of the record that needs to be updated
    • click "Update Record"

• if desired, use the "Download Report" button to download the report as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file that can be opened as a spreadsheet.

Tray Seeding

Input Form

To use the input form:

• as noted on the page, please enter only one tray seeding record per crop per day. This allows FARMDATA to correctly calculate the number of days that the crop was in a tray before being transplanted.
• select the seeding date
• select the crop
• enter the number of trays seeded
• select the tray size used (number of cells). Select 0 for an open tray.
• if the seed ordering tab is selected, use the "Add Variety" button to add each variety seeded. FARMDATA will display seed codes that have a positive inventory. Select the seed code and variety (the seed code should have been recorded on the seed packet/container) and enter the number of seeds planted for that seed packet/container. FARMDATA will automatically update the inventory for the selected seed code (unless the seed code is Not Available). We recommend updating the inventory of the seed (Seed->Order->Input Form) and then returning to the tray seeding input form, rather than selecting Not Available.
• if the seed ordering tab is not selected, enter the number of seeds planted and the varieties of the crop that were seeded (optional).
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation #
• enter any comments
• confirm data correctness by clicking "OK", or "Cancel" to modify any aspect of the seeding record

Report

To run a tray seeding report:

• select a date range
• select a crop (or All)
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation # (or All)
• click "Submit"
• FARMDATA will then display a table of all tray seeding records that satisfy the selected parameters. If you choose a specific crop, the table will be followed by the total number of seeds and trays planted for that crop for the specified date range. If you choose a specific generation, only data for that generation is shown.

• administrative users can edit and delete tray seeding records

  • to delete a tray seeding record, click the "Delete" button next to that record

  • to edit a tray seeding record:

    • click the "Edit" button next to that record
    • in the resulting page, modify an aspect of the record that needs to be updated
    • click "Update Record"

• if desired, use the "Download Report" button to download the report as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file that can be opened as a spreadsheet.

Transplanting

Input Form

To use the input form:

• select the transplant date
• select the crop
• select whether the crop being transplanted is an annual or perennial. Annual crops can only be harvested in the same year that they are transplanted. For perennial crops, select the estimated last date that the crop will be harvested. The crop can then be harvested from the planting date to the last harvest date. (Note that the last harvest date can be edited by administrative users.)
• select one of the available seeding dates for that crop, or N/A if no tray seeding records have been entered for that crop. (But note that a crop should not be transplanted unless it has been seeded in trays.)
• select the field
• select the crop seeded
• depending on your FARMDATA configuration, enter either the number of bed feet seeded or the number of beds seeded
• if FARMDATA is configured for seeding by the bed foot, you can also select whether to input bed feet or row feet seeded. Seeding by the row foot is useful if you are seeding single rows of different crops within the same bed.
• select the number of rows per bed. Enter this information even if you selected "Row Feet Seeded" in the previous step, as FARMDATA uses this information to convert row feet to bed feet.
• enter the number of trays transplanted. The total number of trays seeded on the selected seeding date is displayed earlier on the form.
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation #
• if labor tracking is enabled, enter the number of workers and time taken (select minutes or hours). Note that the form will automatically time transplanting tasks - if you open the form when you start transplanting, the time in the "Enter time" box will increase by one for each minute that the form is open. This time will then be submitted when you click "Submit".
• enter any comments
• click "Submit"
• confirm data correctness by clicking "OK", or "Cancel" to modify any aspect of the transplanting record

Report

To run a transplanting report:

• select a date range
• select a crop (or All)
• select a field (or All)
• if generation id numbers are enabled, select the generation # (or All)
• click "Submit"
• FARMDATA will then display a table of all transplanting records that satisfy the selected parameters. If you choose a specific crop, the table will be followed by the average days in trays for that crop and the total bed and row feet transplanted for that crop for the specified date range. If you choose a specific crop and a specific field, the average days in trays and total bed and row feet planted are for that field only. If you choose a specific generation, only data for that generation is shown.

• administrative users can edit and delete transplanting records

  • to delete a transplanting record, click the "Delete" button next to that record

  • to edit a transplanting record:

    • click the "Edit" button next to that record
    • in the resulting page, modify an aspect of the record that needs to be updated
    • click "Update Record"

• if desired, use the "Download Report" button to download the report as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file that can be opened as a spreadsheet.

Order (optional tab)

Input Form

To use the input form:

• select the crop you wish to work with. If the cover crop tab is selected, you can choose either a vegetable or a cover crop.
• select the planting year
• click "Choose Crop and Year"

If seeding information has already been entered and does not need to be updated, just click "Submit Seeding Information" and confirm. If this information has not been entered or needs to be edited:

• For vegetables:

  • enter the number of seeds planted per row foot for this crop (for transplanted crops, this should be the number of plants transplanted per row foot)
  • select a default unit for measuring seeds for this crop (GRAM, OUNCE, POUND)
  • enter the number of seeds per unit for this crop
  • enter the total row feet of this crop to be planted in the planting year
  • click "Submit Seeding Information"

• For cover crops:

  • enter the total acreage of this cover crop to be planted in the planting year
  • enter the seeding rate (in lbs./acre)
  • click "Submit Seeding Information"

As desired, use the Seed Calculator to convert number of seeds to grams, ounces and pounds, or to find the number of seeds in a given number of grams, ounces or pounds (for vegetables only).

The Seed Summary gives the amount of seed needed for the planting year, the amount currently in inventory and the amount that needs to be ordered or otherwise acquired.

Seeds can be added to inventory directly or via a seed order. Use the seed order form for seeds ordered from catalogs, and enter all other seeds directly.

To add seeds to inventory directly, in the Add To Inventory table:

• select the variety
• enter the row feet (for cover crops: acres) to plant in the current/upcoming season
• enter the number of units in inventory
• select the purchase year (the year the seeds were produced)
• select whether the seeds are Organic or Untreated
• click "Add To Inventory"
• FARMDATA calculates a seed code for the seed and adds the seed to inventory. The seed packet/container should be labeled with the seed code.

You can add a new variety of the crop at any time by entering the new variety name and clicking "Add New Variety".

Once seeds are in inventory:

• FARMDATA calculates the "Units to Plant" from the "Row Feet to Plant" and the number of seeds to plant per row foot (for cover crops, the "Acres to Plant" and seeding rate)
• the age of the seed is indicated by color (darker color means older seed)
• the "Row Feet to Plant" (for cover crops: "Acres to Plant") and "Units in Inventory" can be updated by editing the values and clicking "Update Inventory"
• seed can be removed by inventory by clicking "Delete" in the appropriate row, then clicking "Update Inventory"

Click "Update Inventory" when you have finished adding to and editing the seed inventory. If you switch to a different crop and/or planting year without clicking "Update Inventory", any changes that you have made to the inventory will be lost.

To add seeds to a seed order, click "Add Row" to add a new order row to the Seed Order table. In the new row:

• select the variety. (New varieties can be added as described above.) If the variety has previously been ordered, FARMDATA will automatically fill in the remaining fields of the order row with the values used in the most recent order. These values can be edited as needed.
• select the seed source (catalog)
• enter the catalog order number
• select whether the seeds are Organic or Untreated
• enter the catalog unit (amount of seed for the order number)
• enter the price per catalog unit
• enter the default units per catalog unit. The Seed Calculator offers a convenient way to compute this for vegetables. (For cover crops, the default unit is POUND.)
• enter the number of catalog units ordered. FARMDATA automatically calculates the total price and the number of default units ordered.
• select the order status (PENDING or ORDERED)
• the order row can be deleted by clicking "Delete"
• if the status of the order row is ORDERED, the order row can be added to inventory by clicking "Add". Additionally, this sets the status of the order row to ARRIVED.
• for non-organic seed, Source 1, Source 2 and Source 3 and the associated Date Searched columns can be used to record searches for organic sources for the seed. This should be done before adding the seed to inventory (by clicking "Add").

Click "Update Order" when you have finished adding to and editing the seed order. If you switch to a different crop and/or planting year without clicking "Update Order", any changes that you have made to the order will be lost

You can add a new seed source (catalog) at any time by entering the new source name and clicking "Add New Source".

Report

To run a seed order report:

• select an order year (or All)
• select a crop (or All). If the cover crop tab is selected, you can choose either a vegetable or a cover crop.
• select a source (or All)
• select an order status (or All)
• select whether the records in the report should be ordered by crop (all records for the same crop together) or organic status (all records for organic seed first, followed by all records for non-organic seed)
• click "Submit"
• FARMDATA will then display a table of all seed order records that satisfy the selected parameters. The table will be followed by the total price for the order, the percent of records that are for organic seed, and the percent of records that are for non-organic seed. If you choose a specific crop, this will be followed by the total amount of seed for that crop in the order (in default units).
• if desired, use the "Download Report" button to download the report as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file that can be opened as a spreadsheet. If you select a specific source and an order status of PENDING, this report represents an order to be placed to that source.