Allotments 4 All
Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: penedesenca on January 21, 2019, 10:38:39
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Yes folks here is the 2019 seed saving circle thread, jump in and shout if you wish to join.
For those who haven’t joined in before some information to help you decide if you would like to join ;
The Seed Circle is open to all A4A members, it’s great to have new people join too. The group is all about setting aside a little growing space and time to raise some crops for seeds, keeping the group informed of how the season is going and at the end of the season sharing some growing information and the all-important saved seeds with the group.
Each person decides what 2 or more crops they will grow and save seed from (although we do inc. tubers, bulbs and cuttings just make sure they are well wrapped so they don't dampen any seeds), saving enough seed for every other member to grow a crop the following year. The group could be up to 20 people.. Veggies will generally need to be heritage or open pollinated so that they will come true from seed, (potato seeds won’t come exactly true) if you include grown out hybrids please state this clearly.
I think most of us have found out, some vegetables are easier than others to grow from seed and everything can change with the weather. But generally peas, French beans, tomatoes, perhaps potatoes and some herbs are the easiest. Chillies, Sweet peppers, squash, courgette and lettuce will need isolating from other varieties to keep seed pure. Parsnips, onions, leeks, beetroot, carrots, celeriac and many brassicas only go to seed the second year and need isolation from other varieties and so are more time consuming and a little trickier.
Real Seeds gave the idea for the circles. Their site gives some great seed saving tips as well as being a great seed catalogue http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedsavinginfo.html
For anyone interested in the previous years Seed Parcels and what we finally shared from 2017 onwards they can be found at https://seedsaverscircle.home.blog/
For anyone interested in the previous years Seed Parcels and what we finally shared from 2016 and oprevious they can be found at http://seedsaverscircle.org/seed-circle/
And some previous threads for the Circles;
Seed Circle 2018 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,81651.0.html
Seed Circle 2017 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,81010.0.html
Seed Circle 2016 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,79990.0.html
Could a kind Mod please pin this? :wave:
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Hopefully :glasses9:
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Hopefully too!
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Hopefully too!
Hopefully, me too :wave:
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There's a lot of hopefullys. Think positive, think positive, think positive. :sunny:
In for this year:
1. Penedesenca
2. Pumpkinlover
3. JanG
4. Plot 18
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Almost certainly!
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Hopefully,
Its always a challenge to choose. this circle gave new idea .Plant some garlic bulbs in spring , and crimson flowering BB . These are my staples. :wave:
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The Hereford Seed Swap is next Saturday so.... If I can find interesting seeds , I'll be back!
Thank you penedesenca.
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count me in,always fun to do
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The Hereford Seed Swap is next Saturday so.... If I can find interesting seeds , I'll be back!
Thank you penedesenca.
You know you are on the list regardless of whether it is interesting :tongue3:
1. Penedesenca
2. Pumpkinlover
3. JanG
4. Plot 18
5. Elfeda
6. Markfield Rover
7. Ruud
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Thank you , if I can not do interesting I'll go for tasty !
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Just bumping. The more the merrier. Non off us bite (I think). Any worries just say - I am sure someone will help :happy7:
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The seed swap went well , I will put up a list of contenders next week!
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my Red Russian kale and Parsley which are growing well and will be into seed this year, any suggestions please,
ours is small site, I can walk around in 10 minutes to see any cross pollination possible. not even a weed allowed to seed in this site,so hardly see any biennial or annual veg flowers.
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Possible contenders are .... Tom's Bajaja , Maghrebi,Victory
CFB ,William's Tiger,
DFB, Vermont Cranberry
Runner, Meesha.
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Count me in too. I'm growing one or two interesting things this year along with some old favourites but will firm up on the details later. :happy7:
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Possible contenders are .... Tom's Bajaja , Maghrebi,Victory
CFB ,William's Tiger,
DFB, Vermont Cranberry
Runner, Meesha.
All sound fabulous. Fingers crossed for a good growing season :sunny:
Count me in too. I'm growing one or two interesting things this year along with some old favourites but will firm up on the details later. :happy7:
Added. Welcome on in :icon_cheers:
1. Penedesenca
2. Pumpkinlover
3. JanG
4. Plot 18
5. Elfeda
6. Markfield Rover
7. Ruud
8. Ed Dibbles
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Hi! I've come over from the Growing Food Saving Seed forum (triffid) to hopefully participate in this year's circle.
I'm growing a bunch of different tomatoes this year - I hope they do well - and would love to pass around the seed.
Too many varieties to list but they include Brad Gates' beauties, some Dwarf Tomato Project and heritage types.
Also growing potatoes from TPS this year; if they set fruit I'll be offering TPS too.
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Welcome Vetivert :wave:
This thread gets more active later usually, but I guess you will know some of the other posters. I had a rubbish year last year and stood down, fingers crossed.
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Thanks pumpkinlover :wave:
I hope you have a much better year, best of luck!
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Boo :wave:
How is everyone doing? I have been pants in the garden this year so only have toms to offer.
I will try harder (actually try) next year.
:happy7:
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Feeling pretty good!
The little seedling potatoes got pulled up by my mum who thought they were weeds. RIP.
Other than that got a good yield of seed from the tomatoes, peas and corn :drunken_smilie:
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Cannot remember which year we got these beauties, Purple Smaragd. But they are so pretty and tasty too. Loved getting another icicle shaped tomato. Thank you.
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Not another tomato to add to my wish list!
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I’ve thoroughly enjoyed growing the varieties received from the 2018 seed circle. I’m wondering whether it’s acceptable to give some feedback on successes and failures. And if so, is this the best place?
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Yes please, I am too disorganised to do this!
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Feedback good or bad is always welcome. I try to stick it into the right year as I do not grow everything in the year after we receive the seeds, but it does not always work out that way.
After all the best thing about sharing seeds is not getting them or having them, but growing them and enjoying what others have enjoyed and saved for us. :sunny:
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Thanks and yes, I very much agree. It's been a very rewarding experience growing varieties which I wouldn't otherwise have experienced and also to have grown a broader range in general. And to have known where/who they've come from and the care which has gone into them.
I'll put my 2018-9 comments on Seed Circle 2018 then. I assumed that no-one would go back to that thread, but I guess it will show up on recent messages.
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Right oh , in the bag I have tomatoes Bajaja ....Victory......Maghrebi all good performers !
I'll get back to you about the beans , not counting on them just yet .cheers.
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Here's what I've got for the circle right now:
Tomatoes
Sweet Cream
Black Beauty
Dwarf Sweet Sue - My favourite tasting tomato this year
Unknown Plum (An early mild plum, should have been 'Anna Russian' but looks nothing like it. 30g fruits rather than 300g fruits! Seedy, but with seeds squeezed out made great pasta sauce).
Unknown Beefsteak (Another random plant from the 'Anna Russian' seed packet. Huge fleshly beefsteaks).
Peas
Kent Blue
Freer's Mummy
Dwarf Bean
Bamberger Blaue
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Okay, I think it is time for a shout out of who is in this year.
Penedesenca - toms white queen, black vernissage and supermarmande
Markfield Rover - Toms bajaja, victory and maghrebi
Vertivert - Toms sweet cream, black beauty, dwarf sweet sue, unknown plum, unknown beefsteak, peas kent blue and freer's mummy and dwarf bean bamberger blaue
Anyone else :wave:
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Cor not a very seedy year folks? :icon_cheers:
So penedesenca I send the packs to you for redistribution?
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I am afraid that I cannot guarantee that what I have will be any good, It's all been too wet here.
Hopefully next year :wave:
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I’m still intending to get a few contributions together. Will sort out what in the next few days.
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Is there a final date for contributions... sure I have some spare HSL peas, beans and tomatoes but am busy with MIL's funeral (tomorrow) and sorting out the estate...
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Is there a final date for contributions... sure I have some spare HSL peas, beans and tomatoes but am busy with MIL's funeral (tomorrow) and sorting out the estate...
I try and aim for the circle to be done and dusted by the end of Jan. Sorry to hear about your MIL.
I am afraid that I cannot guarantee that what I have will be any good, It's all been too wet here.
Hopefully next year :wave:
Fingers crossed. I think the last two years have been dreadful for growing. Hopefully third year lucky.
I’m still intending to get a few contributions together. Will sort out what in the next few days.
Fantastic. Lovely to hear.
Cor not a very seedy year folks? :icon_cheers:
So penedesenca I send the packs to you for redistribution?
In the beginning of Jan I will send a message out with my details and hopefully a final number for who is in so you can sort seed packs.
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Hello everybody,i am still in.I have some nice beans,tomatoes and peppers to share.
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I can contribute:
Salsify
Medzi sweetcorn
Buckwheat
Delicata squash
CFB - Aurie de Bacau, Blue Coco, Fortex, Kaiser Friedrich
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I have beans but will need a little longer to dry, cfb William’s Tiger and runner Meesha .
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Penedesenca - toms white queen, black vernissage and supermarmande
Markfield Rover - Toms bajaja, victory and maghrebi
Vertivert - Toms sweet cream, black beauty, dwarf sweet sue, unknown plum, unknown beefsteak, peas kent blue and freer's mummy and dwarf bean bamberger blaue
Ruud - Beans, tomatoes and pepers
JanG - Salsify, Medzi sweetcorn, Buckwheat, Delicata squash, CFB - Aurie de Bacau, Blue Coco, Fortex, Kaiser Friedrich
?saddad
Everyone happy to send their seeds to me by the end of the month and enough for six?
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I've just lost this last years saved crop of three HSL peas... went mouldy on me, hadn't dried them thoroughly enough.. will look at my tomatoes tomorrow..
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Morning , yes end of month for six . Thank you.
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Everyone happy to send their seeds to me by the end of the month and enough for six?
Absolutely! I haven't got your address.
Wouldn't it be enough for five rather, as we don't have to account for ourselves?
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Hi, Messages have now gone out with my address and the following bumph.
Please can you send 6 packs of each saved variety (the extra allows for any late comer) by the end of the month.
Also please include your return address and enough stamps to cover small parcel return (£4.55-1st class or £4.00 - 2nd) excess stamps will be returned.
Any issues let me know including not get the message with my details.
Its get exciting :toothy10:
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10 more days to get seeds to me folks :wave:
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Thanks for the reminder, been tied up with family matters... hopefully will get down to it today..
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Will post Friday , to the best of my knowledge the beans are dry , but I will pack in paper fingers crossed.
A short note .. cfb William’s Tiger is the best bean for flavour ,vigour and abundance of pods ,picked earlyish that I know. Sometimes a veg falls out of favour for a reason but this one is a real star I should be able to pack at least two dozen seeds per envelope.cheers.
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Wow!!!
Vertivert and JanG's very generous contributions have landed safe and sound :toothy10:
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I will post it tomorrow.
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Still not got my act in gear... hopefully this is enough to shame me into action...
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Wow another very generous parcel arrived yesterday - you are all putting my contribution this year to shame.
Thank you Markfield :happy7:
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Sorry folks, will have to let you down, have been very busy this weekend, including driving up to Sheffield at 05:30 Saturday morning... things are showing no signs of settling down so won't get round to sorting my seed stash...
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Sorry folks, will have to let you down, have been very busy this weekend, including driving up to Sheffield at 05:30 Saturday morning... things are showing no signs of settling down so won't get round to sorting my seed stash...
There is always the 2020 circle. I will start the thread soon :glasses9:
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All parcels are on their way back with the postie and(Spoiler Alert!!!) I am in the process of update the website, so if you have any pics or info on your seeds could you please let me have it?
:icon_cheers:
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Thank you! I'll see what I can find.
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It’s here !!!! I have had a good feel , very exciting but will not open until jobs done .
Thank you very much penedesenca for making this happen . Off now to fire up the propagtors !
Happy sowing and thank you everyone.
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It’s here !!!! I have had a good feel , very exciting but will not open until jobs done .
Thank you very much penedesenca for making this happen . Off now to fire up the propagtors !
Happy sowing and thank you everyone.
Cor, your posty is early!!! Glad it is there safe and sound.
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Mine arrived today. Thank you very much to Penedesenca for the care in organising and parcelling up all the contributions, and also to participants for such enterprising growing and generosity.
Very exciting! Such a lot of most interesting varieties including twenty-one varieties of tomatoes! This is going to be a delicious challenge of organisation and record-keeping. A lovely start to the season.
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It has arrived! Thank you all. Can't wait to grow and taste them, such fun. :icon_cheers:
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YEAAH parcel arrived today,what a nice variety of seeds.All new to me.Thanks everybody who joined this seed circle.
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I’m not sure whether anyone is still following this thread but I want to put out my concern about the sweetcorn seed I contributed. I had only about 30-40 plants and after more reading realise that’s rather short of the recommended numbers for avoiding inbreeding depression.
Older and wiser now but I’m sorry to send in seed which could well produce below par results.
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If in doubt could be grown as micro salad !
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Thank you for letting members know, now they can decide how to use them.
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Sorry, I think I am still in hibernation mode. Glad they all made it safe and sound and thanks for for letting us know about the sweetcorn.
I have now started a thread for the 2020 circle https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=82679.msg832041#msg832041 feel free to join whenever and drag some others in as well :sunny:
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I am in the process of update the website, so if you have any pics or info on your seeds could you please let me have it?
:icon_cheers:
Sent a PM with descriptions of the varieties I sent. Thanks :wave:
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Sorry. I missed this. I’ll aim to put together some notes in the next few days.
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So with the 'Anna Russian Rogue - Unknown Plum' tomato seeds I included for 2019, expect some variation. These were an off-type, either a cross or from contaminated seed in a packet of commercial 'Anna Russian' oxheart tomato. Much smaller and earlier. I've planted only 5 for this season. The seedlings all look different. One is particularly purple in the stem and leaf veins. Whether this is the initial cross segregating or whether the rogue crossed further in my plot (or a combination of the two) I do not know. They were planted next to 'Black Beauty' so it is possible a bee had something to do with this. Though I didn't note either variety having an exerted stigma.
If anyone is growing them this year I'd love to know what you find. :wave: