Topic: Extra seed saving circle?

[Jayb]

Super parcel received from Ophi, cheers  ;D

Lovely seeds recieved from Twoflower, and Galina has kindly donated seeds to the circle too  :)

[Bing]

Hi, Can I join this as well, thanks

[Jayb]

Hi Bing, thanks for the interest but sadly it is too late to join this year as some of the seeds have already been packed and sent in. Hopefully we will be doing another seed circle next year which you could join.

[Robert_Brenchley]

My seeds are now ready for the post; the other parcel will be sorted tomorrow. Sorry about the delay. What are the passwords for the Google docs?

[Jayb]

Robert I've added you to this groups document https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y4EAnNWSdcuzyoJg5XE7-9AUAoOgSqIKSUFdBAzhqHg/edit?hl=en_US

As far as I know once you have been added to edit you are good to go, I've not put any password in place.

No worries, if you need more time, just let me know  :)

[Jayb]

Received seeds from Lottie Lou, (a couple of days ago, sorry thought I had posted)
Thank you   ;D

[Ophi]

The earlier link on this thread will not let me edit the google doc.  I did sign in to google but no joy.  Any ideas?

[Jayb]

Ophi, pm me your email address and I'll add you on to edit  :)

[Ophi]

 8)Thank you

[Bing]

Several people have been asking to join the seed saving circle. Unfortunately this is full.

However;

I know this is late in the day, but if there are any seed savers who would like to make up another group I’d be happy to add some varieties to the mix. It should be simple enough to run alongside the other group.

Anyone interested?

Can I join please? thanks

[ceres]

Several people have been asking to join the seed saving circle. Unfortunately this is full.

However;

I know this is late in the day, but if there are any seed savers who would like to make up another group I’d be happy to add some varieties to the mix. It should be simple enough to run alongside the other group.

Anyone interested?

Can I join please? thanks

Hi Bing,
JayB replied to your request upthread, maybe you missed it:

Hi Bing, thanks for the interest but sadly it is too late to join this year as some of the seeds have already been packed and sent in. Hopefully we will be doing another seed circle next year which you could join.

Perhaps you can use the winter months to plan what interesting varieties you can grow for seed saving so that you're ready, come the time for the next swap.  You can post any questions you have, or give us some tips!

[Jayb]

Cheers Ceres.


Just waiting for the last parcel to arrive and then they will be off  ;D I think it is still far enough ahead of Christmas to post, but if anyone wants me to hold on to theirs until after Christmas, let me know.

[1066]

Back with the programme  ;D And I appreciate your patience !
roll on Spring for some serious seed sowing  ;D

[Ophi]

I got a dead nice parcel today with my handwriting on it.

So many new varieties to try  :)  Thank you everyone.

[Hector]

Thanks so much for the lovely package oof seeds I received today. I have hid myself in my bedroom, spreading out the packets and dreaming of happy planting. Thanks so much Jayb and all the contributors.

[Gadget]

How fab is getting that parcel through the post....really excited and thank you Jayb for organising, best christmas present ever.. ;D ;D

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas  :)

[green lily]

Last time I asked about becoming a member of the seed saving circle [I don't use many seeds] I was informed that my modest growing potential wasn't sufficient for the rigorous requirements of the circle. :'(
I do swap with folk when I have spares but then I end up with things I wouldn't necessarily  have chosen. Is there a way out of this loop or are those of us too disabled to do a lot nowadays illegible? Does everyone really save the large quantities of plants I was told were necessary for genetic diversity? How are checks made? I realise I'm whingeing but  ......

[galina]

Last time I asked about becoming a member of the seed saving circle [I don't use many seeds] I was informed that my modest growing potential wasn't sufficient for the rigorous requirements of the circle. :'(
I do swap with folk when I have spares but then I end up with things I wouldn't necessarily  have chosen. Is there a way out of this loop or are those of us too disabled to do a lot nowadays illegible? Does everyone really save the large quantities of plants I was told were necessary for genetic diversity? How are checks made? I realise I'm whingeing but  ......

Yes, I am afraid you are whingeing.  We are all learning how to save seeds the right way.  You were given alternative suggestions of vegetables that are easy to save from and don't require much garden space.  You are not too disabled to save seeds from 3 lettuces or 2 tomato plants.  You only wanted to save from leeks and nothing else.  If you save seed from an outbreeder like leeks, you need to grow a good number of them, say a dozen.  Why is it a problem for you to start at the beginning of the seed saving learning process and go with a vegetable that is less difficult?  As I recall, nobody said you could not take part in a seed circle.  You were given help with seed saving information and technique, which you rejected.  And to demand checks for other people who are doing things right to the best of their ability, is really not appropriate.  We are all learning and mistakes do happen, but nobody insists on being allowed to make mistakes the way you did.  You cannot save good seed from one leek or two and if saving leek seeds is not your thing, then do another vegetable.  Taking part in a seed circle does mean that you may well as you put it, 'end up' with things you would not necessarily have chosen.  This is unavoidable. 
 

[Robert_Brenchley]

There's nothing hard about seed saving; start with something easy next year. Leeks aren't hard; save your best dozen plants, and put them together in a corner somewhere where they're out of the way. Let them go to seed - not many people are goiing to do this, so you're unlikely to have problems with outcrossing - and bag the seed heads when they're approaching ripeness. If you end up with something you don't want, pass it on to someone else. You'll always find stuff you do want in these parcels.

[Jayb]

Hi green lily, it's a shame the first group was already full, although if you had wanted to, you would have been welcome to join the extra group which was started some time later.

The circle is based on trust and is a learning experience for us all. Mistakes can happen, that’s life. But in fairness to other participants I think it is important to follow recognised seed saving information and guides, otherwise the quality and purity of our seeds shared will be poor.

It sounds like you were given good advice at the time as some crops are more difficult to save seed from due to the number of plants needed to be grown to keep the gene pool healthy, others are very promiscuous and need to be prevented from cross pollinating to keep the variety pure. Beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, seem fairly straight forward.

We will hopefully be starting a new group in the New Year for people who are interested to join. I can see the seed circle is not for everyone, a lot of varieties are shared, each member getting the same selection of seeds. Some seeds may be surplus to an individual’s likes/needs, but this can then be shared with others.

I’m not sure what you are interested in but if you don’t fancy joining the seed circle and only want a few chosen varieties, what about asking in the swap section, or joining in the next seed swap?