Seed Sharing Circle 2013

[Nigel B]

Nigel  I think Goodlife has it spot on!

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(.............You too JayB ;-))


Figs!

I have a fig tree I planted here years ago.
It figs and figs and figs!
I know they have seeds in them, I've eaten enough.
Does anyone know if the seeds will be viable if I let them ripen fully..?  Oh I hope so..... That would be cool...

[Nigel B]

[Robert_Brenchley]

I had major disasters last year as well, but never mind. I'll get seed off something.

[green lily]

Hello everyone. I'm back after 4 weeks levada walking and soaking sunshine in Madeira to find a surprise pack from Jayb and the circle. Thankyou everyone who has contributed such wonderful goodies, I was quite overcome [sniff, sniff]. You are so kind.
I do save seed for my own use but am always  a bit nervous that my squashes and stuff will have interbred so haven't been courageous enough to send seed out. This year I shall plant with a bit of tight control and at least I know some things are pretty safe to send like peas and beans. When I've tackled the mail, the bills and the washing, the propagators out and I shall set too. I've still got to thresh my 2 big leek heads [ Bleu de solaise] so if anyone would like some pm me. 

[Jayb]

Does anyone know if the seeds will be viable if I let them ripen fully..?  Oh I hope so..... That would be cool...

I don't know much about figs, I've only ever propagated them by cuttings. I did have a quick search http://www.ehow.com/way_5452523_growing-fig-trees-seed.html

[Jayb]

Welcome back, four weeks of sunshine sounds just the ticket, lets hope the sunshine follows you home 
Onwards and upwards I'm hoping for a better year too.

[Jayb]

I'm going to try out Ethiopian Kale this year and depending on how it does and tastes, this may be a candidate for the circle Here's some info http://goo.gl/uvzlq

[SueK]

Hello all,
After an awful 2012, I'd like to try again this year, if you'll have me, that is!

This year I'll be trying out some short season Russian tomato varieties and, I hope, some peas and beans.
It feels as though spring is just around the corner! 

Sue

[Ian Pearson]

Please count me in this year. Celeriac are in the plan, probably Biskopens Graart pea, and who knows what else.

[Jayb]

Green lily, SueK and Ian, Hi guys

Brilliant, 13 in the group and still room for a few more    New to the group members are very welcome, just jump in (returnees too!)

[pumkinlover]

Well after last year if you stil want me, however this time if I do not get a decent crop to send in I will 
Not forgotten that you still ahve not had the Sharks fin seeds!

[galina]

Please count me in this year. Celeriac are in the plan, probably Biskopens Graart pea, and who knows what else.

Biskopens Graaert would be fab - rare red seeded pea.  How do you overwinter the celeriac?  I will have the problem next year as I am planning carrots.  Turnips are usually ok with cloche and fleece on top, but carrots need a bit more protection here.  Have lost too many last time I tried and need to research overwintering methods.  Any hints?

[galina]

Green lily, SueK and Ian, Hi guys

Brilliant, 13 in the group and still room for a few more    New to the group members are very welcome, just jump in (returnees too!)

Lovely,  lets hope for a really good growing year.   

PL are the seeds turning black yet?  Have you opened another fruit?  I have just opened  a seedless fruit of a handpollinated courgette - stored fine regardless! - fingers crossed for the other one that I haven't touched yet.  This hasn't been a good year for squashes as RB said. 

[galina]

I'm going to try out Ethiopian Kale this year and depending on how it does and tastes, this may be a candidate for the circle Here's some info http://goo.gl/uvzlq

Never seen anything like it    Hope it does well.  Thanks for the info.

[galina]

Figs!

I have a fig tree I planted here years ago.
It figs and figs and figs!
I know they have seeds in them, I've eaten enough.
Does anyone know if the seeds will be viable if I let them ripen fully..?  Oh I hope so..... That would be cool...

Nigel, I found this - can't say I understand a lot about what they are saying , but anyway - here is the url:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Growing-figs-from-seeds-2471900

[Jayb]

I'm going to try out Ethiopian Kale this year and depending on how it does and tastes, this may be a candidate for the circle Here's some info http://goo.gl/uvzlq

Never seen anything like it    Hope it does well.  Thanks for the info.

Me too 

I've just started looking around the above/PROTA site, so many things I've not heard of!

[Ian Pearson]

...  How do you overwinter the celeriac?  I will have the problem next year as I am planning carrots.  Turnips are usually ok with cloche and fleece on top, but carrots need a bit more protection here.  Have lost too many last time I tried and need to research overwintering methods.  Any hints?

Celeriac has overwintered fine for me just left in the ground, but some folk lift them and store them indoors in spent compost. Lifting has the advantage of giving a good chance to inspect and select the best roots. I'm going to pick  6 or 7 roots, and transplant them to a new bed with posts to support the seed heads. This is exactly as I have done before with parsnips.

[Paulie]

Hi.    I'm new on here - seems like a really friendly bunch of people.  I'd like to join the 'magic circle' if you'll have me! I plan to grow Lemon Drop chillis, which I have ordered from Real Seeds.  Has anyone tried them?

[pumkinlover]

Hi Paulie
I've not opened a Sharks fin fruit as still eating what we already had in the freezer ( we chopped up a few when trying to get seeds earlier befor I realised they had to be ripened!)

[Debs]

Yes I would like to join the circle again please!!

Not sure what I shall do this time round, but was thinking about shallots

Have googled & would like to grow some eschalot grise.

A khaki coloured shallot originating in Kazakhstan, and rarely seen in Britain. This gourmet Shallot 'Eschalote Grise' is prized in French cuisine for its intense and concentrated flavour. Pack size: Approx. 500g. Approx. 20 sets. Height 35cm (14"). Spread: 15cm (6").

Although it originates in Kazakhstan I don't know whether it is heirloom or heritage (or not )

Does anyone know ??

Debs

[galina]

Welcome Paulie and welcome back Deb
bought some echalote gris from the Vegetable society at Hampshire potato day.  First year they were soso, but last year they excelled (used to our climate and soil better in second year).  Wouldn't call them khaki as such but a bit darker than others.  So yes, nice addition and they keep for a very long time, so should still be in very good condition when it is seed envelope time.

Pepper is new to me.