Seed sharing circle 2011

[Jayb]

Galina I missed this at first, but have to say'Grandpa Admires' looks and sounds a treat


Please don't anyone feel out of place or put off, I'm still a bit up in the air at what to grow.

As I see it, the circle is something that worked well last year and I think everyone involved gained from each other. I think the combination of experiences of the group is something to enjoy as each brings a different quality to the mix.

I thought I'd do a vague kinda of update to the list here and on the thread. So we all have a bit of an idea what we are at and where we are going, but it is not written in stone. I agree with Robert though no point in getting detailed until we know what is harvested, wow a long way to go yet!

I guess I like knowing what others are aiming at so I can kinda fit my choices in to hopefully compliment what else is on offer. I also found it encouraging to know how others were doing.  I certainly had several ups and downs last year  :)

[Jayb]

[Jayb]

Who's taking part and as a guide possibilities so far;

Pumpkinlover, possibly from HSL allocation.

Jayb  Buan onions, tomato of some sort, Early Blood beetroot, Bedford Monarch parsnips, cucumber, a corn or maize or popcorn or poping sorgum, mashua (Ken Aslet)

Goodlife bloody butcher sweetcorn, beans, lettuce, 'Los Mols Leeks'

Robert tbd

Saddad choosing from HSL tomatoes, peas, climbing French beans maybe a squash

Aj tbd

Markfield rover;  King Tut pea and climbing French bean Bonne Bouche.....

Jeannine; tbd

Plot51; possibly choosing from HSL selection

Ruud; tbd

Galina; 'Grandpa Admires' 'Hungarian Zucchini' Babbington Leek

Lottydolly; a bean, a tomato and possibly a leaf veg

Martinburo; a variety of kale or spring cabbage and sorrel

SueK; choosing from tomatoes; Polar Star, Prairie Fire, Siberian, Siletz, Oregon Spring and  Latah, also a summer squash/courgette - probably Trieste White

1066;  Kale, Florence Fennel, a sweet red pepper, winter / cool season salads, French beans, possibly a summer squash.

Dandytown; tbd


Still room for a couple more if anyone fancies joining.

[Dandytown]

I am considering growing the following but time will tell as I am incredibly indecisive.  Please let me know if okay and of interest:

Boothby's blonde (cucumber), Yard long red bean noodle and Edamame (beans) and maybe a squash such as Japanese Black Futsu.

I know it is dependant on cropping, but how many seeds of each variety are we aiming to give each person on the list?  (just so I can allocate ample space to each variety I am growing for the swap).

[schmelda]

I'd be interested in joining too.  I'm new to allotmenting, but have saved a few seeds this year from veg grown in grow-bags in my garden. 

I've (pretty much) already decided on what I'm growing this year, and planned to experiment with saving seed from most (I made sure I bought the right varieties!).  I'm not sure which varieties are exciting, so I'll decide based on what looks and tastes good/exciting (if that's ok?)

[Jayb]

Hi Dandy, I like like your choices and would be happy with any of them, although I think a good season will be needed for Yard long  and Edamame beans.

As a guide give enough seed so each person has a chance of raising a crop, ideally enough for them to grow some to taste the variety and have enough to save enough seed for the following year.

So quite a few variables depending on the type of crop, weather, if an in-breeder or out-breeder.

As a suggestion peas and beans approx 10+ (last year was anywhere from 4 to 20+)
Tomatoes 5+. (most sent 10+ last year)
Smaller seeded veggies eg onion, brassicas, lettuce, herbs etc, a good size pinch. (last year must have been a good one, all generous pinches)
Squash, melon, cucumber, 5 +
Hope this is a help  :)

[Dandytown]

With regards to Edamame and Yard long red, do you think they would be better in the greenhouse if I can make room?

Grew wonderful cauliflowers last year to the envy of the other plot holders (i shared them) so I like the challenge  :) 

[Dandytown]

Apologies all for deviaiting from the post, but I found a nice site for Edamame beans and I wanted to share it. www.easybalconygardening.com/edamamebeans.php

[Jayb]

Nice link.
The soya bean varieties I've tried are Elena and Ustie. Both cropped quite well but I grew them in a polytunnel, I've not tried them in the open. Harvest wise nowhere near as many as a dwarf French bean, but they were exceedingly tasty boiled in the pod.
Yard long beans are climbers and will need quite a bit of space and support. Again I've not grown them in the open only a polutunnel, I found they need a good summer to do well.

Welcome to Twoflower, whom I'm sure will be along shortly to say hi
and Schmelda, glad to have you join  ;D

[markfield rover]

I was reading through the Real Seeds site on seed saving and noticed an attractive carrot flower it looked good enough for the vase
so if it is not too daft a question-( not for seed saving)  if in spring  I planted some shop bought carrots would they flower?
We do have some good carrots so I may take the two year option for seed ,just curious as to the flowers for this year.
Daft or what?
cheers.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I imagine shop-bought carrots would flower the first year. I nearly tried it once when I spotted some purple carrots in the market. Unfortunately I was short of cash, and I never saw them again.

[Twoflower]

Ok i can throw in Half pint peas and giant mange tout. I have a few different french beans. I grow a chilli that i bought from harrogate flower show a couple, don't know it's name really small plant with pretty chillis that are not too hot.
                   Twoflower

[Robert_Brenchley]

Which giant mangetout do you have? I'm growing two varieties this year.

[Jayb]

I was reading through the Real Seeds site on seed saving and noticed an attractive carrot flower it looked good enough for the vase
so if it is not too daft a question-( not for seed saving)  if in spring  I planted some shop bought carrots would they flower?
We do have some good carrots so I may take the two year option for seed ,just curious as to the flowers for this year.
Daft or what?
cheers.

Yes I think they would flower, particularly if they are say British raised carrots, ie grown last year. They would just be fulfilling their cycle. They are very pretty, and insects adore them. But I've no idea if they would last as a cut flower  ;D

[Jayb]

Your chillies sound good, I like not too hot!

Which beans are you thinking of? I had Hodgkin and O'Driscoll from HSL this year, I'm hoping they do well.

[markfield rover]

Thanks Jayb- I will give it a go also using it as an exercise in seed saving practice for the following year, that sounded so organised I think I need a lie down.

[Jayb]

 ;D

If you have not seen them before freshy harvested carrot seed is hairy! like little bugs.

[plot51A]

My HSL seeds have arrived - including dwarf french bean Peewit and CFB Portugese both of which are new to HSL this year so presumably not too many around. Also have tomato Imur Prior Beta which they say was developed for growing in cooler regions.
BUT we are probably going to be moving house soon which rather upsets all my planting plans and certainly means I can't fill all the windowsills etc with seed trays as is my usual practice - could put off potential buyers  ;D. I may also have to give up my lottie, depending on where we go. So please Jayb can you take me out of the circle. Perhaps I can sit on the sidelines and if I do get some suitable seeds can send them to you for the extra goodies bag?

[Jayb]

I'll keep you pencilled in to keep your options open, but sounds like you will have your hands full. Good luck with the house hunting  ;D
Hope you don't have to give the lottie up  :)

Might be the last thing on your mind, but what about a pepper or chillie to save, something fairly compact that you can keep in a pot and move about if needed?

[1066]

house moving does get in the way of gardening doesn't it! Good luck with the move. Just think about a new garden........ a new start........ with a heap of seeds to sow.....  ;)  :)

[Poolcue]

If it's not too late I would like to join.
I have got some Koralik tomato seeds that the blurb say are sweeter than Sungold that I am going to try.
I am unsure of the 2nd seed to grow yet.