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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: rdak on November 05, 2003, 13:18:18

Title: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: rdak on November 05, 2003, 13:18:18

Recently went to a talk on the benefits of saving your own seed including:
-helping preserve heritage varieties
-maintaining genetic diversity
-economy
-help stop the consolidation of the seed industry into a few key players who decide what is available

Just interested in knowing if people here are regularly saving their own.

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Mrs Ava on November 05, 2003, 18:06:55

I do, not so much on the veggie side of things, apart from toms, beans and peppers, but all my flowerery type things from the garden, if anyone is interested in some flowerery type seeds, I have stacks!  ;D.  I am hoping to save more veggie seeds next year, as a bit of a trial really.  Also, I am a cheapskate, so free seeds has to be a good thing!

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Hugh_Jones on November 05, 2003, 19:30:20

As far as vegetables go, the only things I grow for seed are peas and beans, which I prefer to either eat fresh or freeze. No others are allowed to run to seed.  As for flowering plants I prefer to leave the seed heads on for the birds, and any that are left seed themselves in quite happily without any help from me.

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: ciderself on November 05, 2003, 19:51:01

I collect nicotiana as they wouldnt seed themselves in our frost pocket and save best sweet peas.
This year we had problems with wood pigeons and lost a lot of selfseeders as they hoovered them all up. A bit like Mervs vac.

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: ciderself on November 05, 2003, 19:54:14

Shoot
that was budgie breeders vac sorry Merv. Mind you looks like everyone has one AND shredders!!!!! Lucky you Hugh

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Palefire on November 05, 2003, 20:33:22

Started with flower seeds once, then gave up because I wanted more variety. I haven't been veggie gardening long enough to really know what I'm doing without a seed packet's instructions in front of me ::), but I will probably have a go in the future! ;D

Love, Palefire

xxx

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Tenuse on November 05, 2003, 20:50:47

I save my own seed, and keep it in the fridge, it lasts a lot longer that way.

Oh - when it's really dry, I put it in film canisters, as long as you check it every so often it's a good way of storing seed, rather than in envelopes when it all pours out when you pick the envelope up upside down by mistake!

Ten x

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: budgiebreeder on November 06, 2003, 00:50:10

But why don't you seal the envelope up 'till u need it? :-/

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Tenuse on November 06, 2003, 19:09:46

Cos the little seeds manage to creep out anyway! Mind you I did buy a bumper pack of white envelopes about 8 years ago.... perhaps I should get some new ones!

Ten x

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Ceri on November 06, 2003, 19:30:12

I bought my 'saved' ones from Bede's World - yes OK, somebody else had actually done the savings - but hey, it counts!

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: budgiebreeder on November 06, 2003, 20:56:19

Tenuse  do you go to any Pubs or Clubs where they do a Forecast?No I'm not wanting  a Pint.The little envelopes used for this are perfect.Not that i am suggesting that you steal some!!!!!

Title: Re: Do you save your own seed- poll
Post by: Tenuse on November 07, 2003, 17:50:21

Budgiebreeder what is a forecast? The only ones I get come through the television after the main news!!

Ten x

(so, no, I don't get any little envelopes...)