It's May already and we're right in the midst of a very busy time in the vegetable growing calendar. There is at last the possibility of sowing beans and cucurbits under cover and soon there will be the rush to plant out tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and so on. As part of this activity, it would be excellent if there's space for thinking ahead as to which crops might be good for seed-saving.
The season so far has been kinder, at least in UK, than the last, with a mild spell recently and not the deluges we experienced in 2024. I'm hoping that the slug population is more moderate this season. So far the signs are encouraging here. For me last year several squash, for example, were nibbled to total extinction. Fingers crossed for this year. Those of us who were part of last year's richly varied Seed Circle will have had the excitement of sowing many of its wonderful varieties. It would be very good to hear more of progress and to share results and experiences.
And so to the next Seed Circle! I hope that last year's enthusiastic band will be willing and able to participate again and it would also be excellent if any new members would like to join us.
For those who haven't participated before, here's some information to help you decide if you would like to join.
The Seed Circle is open to all A4A participants; 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 as to how the season is going, then at the end of the season, probably in November, sharing some growing information and your saved seeds with the group.
Each person decides what 2 or more crops they will grow and save seed from (we do inc. tubers, bulbs and cuttings, but do make sure they are well wrapped so that they don't dampen any seeds). They will then aim to save enough seed for other Circle members to grow a crop the following year. The group could be up to 12 people but is more often under 10. Recently it has numbered about 7 participants. Varieties 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.
Some vegetables are easier and more reliable than others to save seed from. But generally peas, French beans, tomatoes, perhaps potatoes and some herbs are the easiest. Chillies, sweet peppers, squash, courgette and to some extent lettuce will need isolating from other varieties to keep seed pure or hand pollinating. Parsnips, onions, leeks, beetroot, carrots, celeriac and many brassicas only go to seed in the second year and need isolation from other varieties and so are more time-consuming and a little trickier.
Real Seeds created 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.
There is also a brilliant series of shortish videos on seed saving for different vegetables at: https://www.diyseeds.org/en/
For anyone interested, what we shared in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 can be found with images and donors' notes at https://airtable.com/shryC20nRNmUcgT30. Try Gallery View.
The seeds exchanged from 2017-2019 can be found at https://seedsaverscircle.home.blog/
And for seed exchanging from 2010 to 2016 at http://seedsaverscircle.org/seed-circle/a4a-seed-saver-group-2014/
And some previous threads for the Circles:
Seed Circle 2023 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,83426.0.html
Seed Circle 2022 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,83279.0.html
Seed Circle 2021 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,83047.0.html
Seed Circle 2020 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,82679.0.html
Seed Circle 2024 https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf2.1/index.php/topic,83530.0.html
Please could a moderator pin this.
I'm in! :blob7:
Thank you Jan for the time and effort to coordinate the circle.
Yes please, thank you Jan! They are discussing a possible SPS agreement in weeks, which should be very good news for seed exchanges, if it actually happens. Otherwise the usual provisos.
Great to hear from you, juliev and Galina.
And excellent news on the SPS discussion. Good that you have your ear to the ground on that. Do keep us posted.
Thank you for organising this again Jan and count me in please :)
The Chinese Pink Celery I included last year appears to have crossed with a plant of Chinese White Celery, or accidentally mixed. I was sure they flowered at different times and the white seedhead was discarded but must have been mistaken.
Anyway, it's quite fortuitious as the seedlings are a mixture of vivid pink, pure white, pale pink, and pinky green. Selection options!
Oh and it's early days yet but I hope to gather seed from:
Lettuce
Gigant
Goldforellen
Wiener Maidivi
Gustav's Salad
Northern Queen
Loos Tennis Ball
Tomato
Jazz
Orange Jazz
Pinky
Chianti Rose
Primabella
Physalis
Schönbrunner Gold
Cucumber
Shintokiwa
Squash
Honeynut
Gelber Englischer Custard
Duobao (Chinese C. maxima for summer squash, like a vining Zapallito)
Chamomile
Bodegold
Opium poppy
Sokol
Cress
Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled
Unnamed Leaf Radish (Looks identical to https://www.rareseeds.com/radish-china-jade (https://www.rareseeds.com/radish-china-jade))
Brassica hybrids and turnips (if they go to seed) e.g. Kizuna https://vitalseeds.co.uk/product/asian-greens-kizuna-mix-organic/
Pea
Jeyes (shelling)
Edula (snap) https://dreschflegel-shop.de/knackerbse-edula
Various French and Runner beans
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I do have many other peas that need renewing but it's getting a bit late now and the weather is unfavourable. What are your thoughts for sowing now in the hopes for a modest seed crop? - just enough to perhaps double the amount sown. Risky?
Quote from: Vetivert on May 13, 2025, 19:20:16Thank you for organising this again Jan and count me in please :)
The Chinese Pink Celery I included last year appears to have crossed with a plant of Chinese White Celery, or accidentally mixed. I was sure they flowered at different times and the white seedhead was discarded but must have been mistaken.
Anyway, it's quite fortuitious as the seedlings are a mixture of vivid pink, pure white, pale pink, and pinky green. Selection options!
I'm fairly sure my seedlings are all pink but I shall check again today.
Wow, Vetivert. That's an amazing list of possibles. There are so very many varieties there which are completely new to me and which hold such exciting promise! Good luck indeed for a good season of growth and with combating the drought which seems to be settling in for many at the moment.
On the pea question, I guess one factor is how many seeds you have of the varieties in question. If you have enough to hedge your bets and try some seeds now and keep some back, it seems worth having a go. Have you got anywhere half shady to protect against the worst of the summer heat. I imagine plentiful watering would help ward off the worst of summer mildew.
I'm thinking Galina has experience of later growing of peas and will offer a far more informed, experience-based opinion.
Vetivert and Jan, yes but it only worked here. In Rushden not so much, because of bad mildew. Here we do not get that same mildew. I know that some people have done it successfully in England for an autumn harvest with a July sowing. It is worth an experiment, but clearly not with precious peas. Good luck.
Thanks for the advice :) there's a cool(ish) slightly shaded area near some fruit trees that I should perhaps utilise and leave the more open beds for beans?. Or put the peas in pots at home, it's very shady here with some afternoon sun, they might prefer it... the allotment can get very hot. Have you experimented with sprays to keep the mildew at bay? I've read people have success with dilute peroxide and seaweed on sweet peas, apparently the mildew is intolerant of an alkaline environment, though sweet pea foliage is quite different to that of edible peas.
By 'at home' I'm assuming you mean outside at home, rather than indoors, although I've read of someone keeping a single climbing bean plant indoors, out of season, in order to get precious seeds. Personally I'd prefer the at home alternative, outdoors, where you can keep a daily eye on the plant(s).
I have no understanding at all of the likely effects of peroxide but instinctively it doesn't seem to go well with an edible plant, and so much faff!
But it's obviously a question of personal preference and convenience in your precise circumstances. Good luck. Let us know.
Rushden's slightly alkaline soil did not save the peas from extensive mildew problems. I had no sweet pea experience then and neither did I attempt to spray the edible peas against it.
A cool and moist environment is definitely a good idea, as peas can crisp up and perish in the heat of summer quite fast without it. Watering pots might be more difficult than keeping the ground moist. I find that yellow podded peas last quite a bit better in summer heat than green podded ones.
Quote from: galina on May 14, 2025, 13:46:05Vetivert and Jan, yes but it only worked here. In Rushden not so much, because of bad mildew. Here we do not get that same mildew. I know that some people have done it successfully in England for an autumn harvest with a July sowing. It is worth an experiment, but clearly not with precious peas. Good luck.
Galina, do you know what the key difference is between the two environments in terms of their effects on mildew? Temperature, humidity, other?
Humidity, definitely. Lower air moisture content in continental climate. A few small, white puffy clouds or none. Usually here we have bright sunshine, unless it actually rains, not the more usual British overcast weather without direct sun (but without rain). If you see black clouds blocking the sunlight here, take cover! One year in Britain we had six weeks of continuous cloud cover and no sunshine at all. I was tearing my hair out, because the tomatoes and squashes hated it. Britain has a maritime climate with moisture from the sea trapped by much denser cloud cover.
Quote from: JanG on May 14, 2025, 06:08:15Quote from: Vetivert on May 13, 2025, 19:20:16Thank you for organising this again Jan and count me in please :)
The Chinese Pink Celery I included last year appears to have crossed with a plant of Chinese White Celery, or accidentally mixed. I was sure they flowered at different times and the white seedhead was discarded but must have been mistaken.
Anyway, it's quite fortuitious as the seedlings are a mixture of vivid pink, pure white, pale pink, and pinky green. Selection options!
I'm fairly sure my seedlings are all pink but I shall check again today.
I was wrong! My celery seedlings have a mix. About 80% are the deep pink but, as you say, no problem.
Were you growing the excellent Redventure last year? Might they be part of the cross too?
I hope I have mixed celery too! I am planning a relaxed celery mix that I can just scatter in the beds. I have some big healthy pink/reds and greens that overwintered and are going to seed at the moment (much better than the ones I ever planted...). I might lose the bigger stalks, mixing them all that way, but I mainly use it in soups and stews so it's not a problem. Thanks again Vetivert for the seeds! Fingers crossed for your peas...
I am growing both Red Venture and Chinese Pink this year. There are still a lot of Red Venture seeds left from my last seed save, so I hope to save only Chinese Pink. Thank you for telling us that we need to select. Mine are still pretty tiny and I can't really see the different colours in the stems yet.
Quote from: JanG on May 15, 2025, 06:27:02By 'at home' I'm assuming you mean outside at home, rather than indoors, although I've read of someone keeping a single climbing bean plant indoors, out of season, in order to get precious seeds. Personally I'd prefer the at home alternative, outdoors, where you can keep a daily eye on the plant(s).
Yes, outdoors at home in a north facing courtyard. Unless the weather shifts significantly and this is projected for a long period, I agree that home is the best option. Will keep you updated!
Quote from: JanG on May 16, 2025, 05:27:11Were you growing the excellent Redventure last year? Might they be part of the cross too?
Only Chinese Pink and White, and no other celery around.
galina you'll have trouble seeing the difference on the littlest seedlings but mine here are still pretty small. As they grow and get UV exposure the colours will be more clear. I'll be potting mine on soon so will take some photos of what I've found there. I'm sure that they'll thrive in your care.
Quote from: juliev on May 16, 2025, 07:38:45I hope I have mixed celery too! I am planning a relaxed celery mix that I can just scatter in the beds. I have some big healthy pink/reds and greens that overwintered and are going to seed at the moment (much better than the ones I ever planted...). I might lose the bigger stalks, mixing them all that way, but I mainly use it in soups and stews so it's not a problem. Thanks again Vetivert for the seeds! Fingers crossed for your peas...
I'm delighted too to have celery self-seeding and coming up in all sorts of odd spots, never a nuisance as it's so upright. It's always red, probably a descendant of Redventure, although I've also had Solid Pink from HSL, which I grew for a couple of years and might have contributed.
Many years ago I fretted because the celery I grew was relatively tough and stringy and I was hoping for the kind you used to dip in salt and eat raw for Sunday tea! I'm not sure how that is achieved commercially but it's not happened for me. But like you, juliev, it's significant use is for soups and stews and very much valued for those.
A not very clear photo of my Chinese Pink seedlings before planting out. IMG_5440.jpeg[attach id=50194]IMG
They look so pretty! A fantastic addition to your celery mix, JanG!
Not sure how they do it commercially... some kind of blanching method with abundant irrigation? Definitely not happening in my garden :tongue3:
Gosh they look pretty Jan. My Red Venture was at this stage and I planted them out yesterday, but they were started a lot earlier than the Chinese Pink. Really looking forward to this.
Yes, celery is a marsh plant and if our gardens are dry and the soil is cracking, this is difficult to achieve. Has never stopped me cutting them into smaller bits and adding to salads. And there are also cooked celery recipes to try other than soups and stews. https://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/celery-baked-in-ham-cheese?srsltid=AfmBOoohLWvmov96DpX4itqwpGyxHFuLouYgOU-A4d0xr-G2xRb0-geW
Yes, juliev, as well as plentiful watering, you've reminded me of reading in old traditional veg gardening books of very labour-intensive ways of tying up celery stalks for the blanching effect.
And interesting on the marsh plant background. I have a magnificent plant of deep red celery growing right on the edge of the side of my polytunnel which I haven't watered since last season. The soil is as dry as dust although perhaps some external water has seeped under the plastic at a deeper level. In fact, as I write, I'm deciding it's not so surprising! But I imagine it's pretty tough.
Yes, but the poly will also have rain concentrating and flowing down at the edge when it does rain, or condensation collecting on the inside of the cover and eventually running down to the edges. Maybe it's time to give a stalk a try and see. May not be that stringy after all, despite very dry soil.
Quote from: galina on May 19, 2025, 07:25:28Yes, but the poly will also have rain concentrating and flowing down at the edge when it does rain, or condensation collecting on the inside of the cover and eventually running down to the edges. Maybe it's time to give a stalk a try and see. May not be that stringy after all, despite very dry soil.
I will indeed. The first of your options is possibly unlikely as this poly has the old fashioned design of a trench where the polythene is kept firm in a trench which means it will be wet but only quite far beneath the surface. I think it's time to dig the plant up and investigate.
If all goes well, I hope to be joining the circle, fingers crossed.
I'm hoping to join in again this year too. My provisional list:
Tomatoes -
Sergeant Pepper's (red/blue medium heart)
Malachite Box (green medium)
Tiny Tim - bush red cherry
Climbing french beans for drying -
Coco Bicolour
Deb's Creek
Dwarf french beans:
Merveille de Piemonte, yellow pods with purple markings
Purple Queen, purple pods
Jacob's Cattle Gold, golden yellow version for drying
Flowers:
Tithonia (Mexican sunflower)
Nicotiana mutabilis Marshmallow
Sunflower Yellow Pygmy
Great to hear from you markfield rover and garrett, and look forward to your participation.
I have a personal reason for specially welcoming your bean offerings, Garrett, as I grew Coco Bicolor many years ago and was looking through my seeds to grow it again. They were nowhere to be found and I was frustrated to think I'd lost them somehow. And I've never grown Deb's Creek though I've read about it, so another one to look forward to.
Tomatoes and flowers great too. Tithonia is a stunner
Mangetout Born. Goodness, what a fine brute of a pea. Ok it is growing in a very fertile part of the garden, but these are huge and loaded with delish peas. Thank you MR. A great pea to have.
I agree that Born is a great mangetout variety. It's very hardy as well as productive.
I sowed it early last year - on 2nd Feb - and it was producing really good pods by the middle of May. It's one to hang onto I think.
Enigma and Valentine did great this year. Valentine started blooming much later and is still going strong with pure white flowers. Enigma started pinkish cream white and again developed red flowers later and then stopped altogether. My fault, I did not remove the developing pods. So I have cut the vines down to a foot above the ground and left no pods on the plants. Will this give me a second flush of flowers later in the year? From never having grown sweet peas to addict in two short seed circles. Thank you Vetivert.
My Enigma and Valentine (also later) have been wonderful too but like yours, Galina, are over now. Because of the drought in much of England, my plants are crispy brown and ready to harvest the seeds. Note to self not to leave them too long as sweet pea pods can eventually curl up into spirals and eject their seeds.
I've never tried cutting down to see whether a second flush could be encouraged so will be interested to hear how that goes. I have a feeling that if the pods are left till they're dry enough to harvest for seed, the plants will be spent and won't regenerate, but I'd be very happy to find out otherwise.
I also grow Matucana which is an old variety with two-tone purplish colouring nearer the wilder forms of edible pea. I'm hoping to have seeds of that variety to contribute to the Seed Circle this year. It's highly scented too.
Matucana will be a great addition Jang. Just what those birthday present obelisks have been waiting for. (But beans look just as good on them.)
Yes, the plants themselves here are still green and only the first pods were mature, but most other pods are still pliable and not ready. But after last year's seed saving, I think I have enough seeds for a while. I only took a token small amount this year.
How long do sweet pea seeds last? A few years? I also had some that shed their seeds last year, but their pods were really dry before they spiralled and dropped their seeds. Seed size was also interesting. Mine last year were mostly smaller than the original seeds, this year the seeds are much bigger. Are your seeds smaller in the drought Jang? Nevertheless, the smaller seeds from last year germinated just fine.
I think my seeds are normal size but your observations on size are interesting. I think the difference the drought made was mainly in how quickly they dried down.
I haven't tested the longevity of sweet pea seeds but think I've sown them when at least a couple of years old. My guess is that they are probably fine for longer.
I was growing a few Lathyrus belinensis, quite a rare sweet pea. It's small in all its parts and I overlooked it for a while which allowed it to dry out in a pot in the greenhouse. I gave it up for lost but to my surprise it has regenerated from near the base. So I'm guessing that your more robust Lathyrus might well also have another go at life.
I thought today I saw the first evidence of fresh sprouting, so I gave it another can full of water. In this 32C heat it is asking a lot, but if it really is trying, that would be good.
Congratulations on getting the Belinensis to come back to life. Now that is a rare sweet pea, but should still make a metre or 4ft. Hope it does well for you.
Apparently it is endemic only on one 2km square in Turkey and has only relatively recently been grown by a few growers outside that region (https://janemming.com/2018/05/06/why-is-this-sweet-pea-so-rare-a-brief-encounter-with-lathyrus-belinensis-of-turkey/)
Before I neglected it and allowed the top growth to die, it managed one delicate flower
Talking sweet peas, my carefully curated collection gave up the ghost on the other hand, the bung it in a corner wild sweet pea Pink Tangier ( Lathyrus Tingitanus) flourished, I have plenty of seed for the circle , it is very restrained unlike Ipomoea Tutu which is a riot and looks like plenty of seed on the way ,also viola Brush Stokes , definitely noisy in appearance.
Meanwhile the edibles are 'progressing' cress Grandpa's is almost ready , great taste.
That sounds like some very interesting contributions, MR, and great to have another sweet pea, especially a species one.
I looked up,Ipomoea 'Tutu'. It looks as if it was only introduced a couple of years ago so you're very quick off the mark, Markfield. It will be interesting to see whether it comes true from seed. I grow the standard Ipomoea purpurea most years; it will be good to have a pink one for contrast.
And I love violas but quite difficult to capture the seeds. I hope you manage a good haul. Another very striking one.
What kind of cress is your cress? Is it a land cress? Exciting times!
Grandpa's cress is a land cress , it's from HSL , it's very easy to grow with a great flavour I will now grow it instead of rocket. I think viola plants see me coming , ripe seeds ... now you see them now you don't ... but I have plenty to share . Ipomoea Tutu, the first few flowers are the standard sort but as the plant grows the show begins, fingers crossed they come true .
I shall for one be very happy to receive your land cress seeds. I was just this week reflecting on the fact that for a few years I'd relied on land cress to self-seed but that it now seems to have finally died out, and all my saved seed is old now.
And the Ipomoea and Viola much looked forward to too.
This is the isolated/handpollinated Golden Marbre that I cut up earlier this year. It was grown last year, but too late for the seed circle. It is producing true offspring from a few seeds I used this year to verify that handpollination. A candidate for the seed circle.
Here is the Early Prolific Straightneck Squash also growing this year. This fruit is isolated/handpollinated and I hope its seeds will be ready in time for the circle distribution.
Just noticed that RealSeeds retail this too, but a different strain of it. Mine were from Denali Seeds in Alaska, bought when getting seeds from the USA was still widely possible some twenty years ago. This strain has the number 353, but its history also goes back nearly 90 years.
Here are both urls, first RealSeeds
https://www.realseeds.co.uk/courgettes.html
then Denali, my source of seeds
https://www.bestcoolseeds.com/collections/squash/products/squash-summer-early-prolific-straightneck-353
It will be great to have your Golden Marbre squash, Galina. I've become more and more of a fan of pattypan squash over the last two or three years. One cuts up and roasts so easily for two or three people as an accompaniment for summer vegetables.
It seems to take a lot of application in the UK to catch any cucurbits for hand pollination,so that I'm lucky if I succeed with more than one or two a year. This year I have one large hand pollinated courgette from your Hungarian zucchini, galina, which I think I successfully hand pollinated. It's a courgette I value for being early and productive, so I hope to have those seeds ready in time to contribute.
Yes, it is less of a struggle here, I will freely admit. But I managed to keep almost all of my varieties going in Rushden too, at times resorting to growing them in the greenhouse. So I sympathise. Most parts of Britain are at the edge of what squashes love in terms of growing conditions.
This was my rationale when I bought these Straightneck squash seeds from an Alaskan seed company. If they succeed there, surely they also do in Rushden! And they did. So I hope all will go well with this fruit. It has changed shape, put on at least another 2 inches in length and is now getting fatter at the bottom, more club shaped.
Congratulations on getting the Hungarian to work for you, Jang. It is so frustrating to have several male flowers and waiting for a female, or when we have a heatwave, it is the opposite, the plants develop female flowers, but there are no males. it is nice when it all comes together.
By the way, that Golden Marbre Squash was still perfectly edible in March, when I harvested the seeds. I cut it into wedges along the bumps and fried them. Almost like winter squash, - patty pans do tend to keep reasonably well.
Two of the Golden Marbre plants growing from the seeds of the mature one in the photo above.
Is anybody interested in Buttercup squash? Got a couple of handpollinated ones and several more just for eating. We normally cut these open after Christmas, as they keep so well, but these early handpollinated ones look pretty full sized now, so by the time the seed circle comes around, the seeds should be ready.
I'd be very interested in seeds of 'Buttercup'. It's a squash variety which has eluded me for some time. Quite an old standard I believe. It's one of the parents of the landrace Juliev contributed last year.
Given the greater difficulty, at least for me, of hand pollinating Cucurbita in UK, your squash successes are particularly welcome, Galina.
And your Golden Marbre looks beautifully prolific.
Quote from: JanG on August 14, 2025, 07:54:36One cuts up and roasts so easily for two or three people as an accompaniment for summer vegetables.
Your quote actually made me think of it for the circle, although Buttercup is a pretty standard commercial squash. Different flavour and texture to Golden Marbre, very dry and quite sweet flesh, that goes well with other things. Bakes and fries beautifully and stores well. Some can turn quite colourful in storage, with a reddish hue that looks very decorative.
We have Galina, Auntie Madge, Ambrosia Gold, Bosque Bumblebee, Stupice (and Papa Gary, one I am developing) all picked in the last hour. Thanks chaps for this seed circle bounty, (not all from last year). Tomato salad tonight :sunny:
And there are potatoes to dig up. This time it was Pink Dog, bred by the originator of this seed circle, Jayb. Pink Dog is doing well with really nice salad spuds and the harvest was big. Most of the tubers are long, hinting at their ancestry of the famous salad potato, Pink Fir Apple. Such a useful shape for slicing into 'pennies' for potato salad. But occasionally we get crazy shapes, like one of the potatoes in the photo!
Pink Fir Apple itself is not good with late blight, but Jayb managed to cross them with the very blight resistant Sarpo Kifli, and as a result her potatoes are doing well with late blight.
However this year Pink Dog surprised me - it made berries for the first time. This has never happened in all the years I have grown them. Would you like some of these tps for the circle?
The other photo is of one of the handpollinated buttercups.
I always enjoy growing some potatoes from seed, so your tps from Pink Dog would be very welcome.
This year I'm growing on the potatoes I grew last year from your Pink Fir Apple x Inky Squid seed which was another Jayb cross. I called it Inky Fir Apple at first but I rather like the sound of inky Fir Squid. I had some very dark blue and some slightly lighter ones. They made surprisingly vigorous plants for their first year and I dug them up quite late by which time they had got a little chewed but yielded plenty of seed potatoes for this year. I'm looking forward to digging them up soon but of course the drought has affected all potatoes so the crop might be small. I'd like to keep it going though.
This would be another very interesting cross with Pink Fir Apple, valuable for its blight resistance. I believe Jayb also did one or two other crosses with Sarpo Kifli? IMG_0745.jpeg
And likewise very appreciative of several tomato varieties from the Seed Circle. In my case, Boxcar Willie, Silvery Fir Tree, Blue Beauty, Fruity Yellow, Borgo Celano, Ambrosia Rose UBX, Ron's Carbon Copy, Mango Lassi, Sunfired Flare.
Ambrosia Rose UBX was from the 2022 circle. I'm growing two plants. One has small cherry tomatoes and one larger slicing size. They both have the same smoky pink colour. I'm wondering whether anyone else has had a variation in size.
I had an Ambrosia Red that was the wrong size, way larger than a cherry, which we ate and enjoyed, but did not continue with.
Yes, I wish Jayb was still visiting to see what has become of her seed circle under the dedicated admin of JanG. I think she would be rightly proud.
And it is good to be able to continue with her potato creations with seeds. Sadly the lovely Snookie is no more here, but has been replaced by various Snookie derived similar varieties, all grown from Snookie tps. Snookie tps number 4 (sorry I haven't given it a proper name, but I grew 4 plants from tps the last year in Rushden), has itself produced a berry this year, so her creations live on in many new but similar varieties. I am glad that the last tps contribution did so well for you, Jang, and hope that despite drought will produce decently this year too.
Quote from: galina on August 21, 2025, 10:19:20I had an Ambrosia Red that was the wrong size, way larger than a cherry, which we ate and enjoyed, but did not continue with.
Are you thinking they're not fully stable varieties?
Either that or a pesky bee, no way to tell really.
With new varieties it is always possible that a late not to type plant shows itself. The six generations from a cross is really only a guideline, some crosses need far longer to become fully stable. When growing OP seeds, rogueing out not standard ones is always on the cards. Only F1 hybrids are really uniform.
Sometimes the non standard ones are also really interesting and can be taken as the basis of another new variety. I had a green, very long, spindle shaped tomato from circle tomato Matt's Hornet, which I am following up, as it is such an attractive shape, but that is far from stable yet. Of three plants, I have two green spindles and one beefsteak!
This is Green Spindle that I am following up. Nice flavour and very pretty. Early too.
Quote from: galina on August 22, 2025, 07:06:28Either that or a pesky bee, no way to tell really.
With new varieties it is always possible that a late not to type plant shows itself. The six generations from a cross is really only a guideline, some crosses need far longer to become fully stable. When growing OP seeds, rogueing out not standard ones is always on the cards. Only F1 hybrids are really uniform.
Sometimes the non standard ones are also really interesting and can be taken as the basis of another new variety. I had a green, very long, spindle shaped tomato from circle tomato Matt's Hornet, which I am following up, as it is such an attractive shape, but that is far from stable yet. Of three plants, I have two green spindles and one beefsteak!
I rather like my large Ambrosia Rose UBX too so could possibly follow up.
Your Green Spindle is certainly unusual and worth trying to stabilise. I would think it's unique. Are you aware of any comparable varieties in circulation?
No I am not aware of any similar varieties, but I am certainly not an expert. And there are so many tomato varieties 'out there', it is difficult to be across all or even most of them.
I love the various Sosulka, aka Icicle tomatoes and this green one fits right in with them.
If you get that same intense flavour in a larger salad tomato, Jang, it is definitely worth following up.
The Early Prolific Straightneck has definitely reached its final size and has changed colour to a dark yellow orange. So it came in to post harvest mature its seeds.
So far tomato wise I have Glacier and First in the Field , which it certainly was . I have checked as I thought Rose de Berne had been recently offered but I can't find any reference, please let me know if I am repeating a circle seed. I am a little giddy as I have just harvested my first ever melon! Cheers.
Great news on the melon. Rose de Berne sounds a very tasty addition. Thank you MR.
Rose De Berne tomato has certainly never been offered during my time with the seed circle so it would be lovely to receive those seeds.
I'm beginning to harvest bean seeds and will have good supplies of Resilient Cherokee Wax and Grumbliai. More to follow I hope.
On past varieties, a special mention for Georgian #22 from Galina which I love for its large flat tender beans and the obliging way it dries down and shells so easily. I failed with it entirely last year but it has prospered this year and is a winner!
And I'm particularly enjoying Sunfired Flare tomato from Juliev. I really like the beauty of the shape, size and colouring.
IMG_6230.jpegIMG_6174.jpeg
Enjoying Sunfried Flare too, very handsome. From the circle's archive I always grow Jen's Tangerine, I will be saving seed for our local seed swap ,it really does need to be out there .
Climbing French bean , Box is looking promising.
Pea Twelve Acre looking good too !
Quote from: markfield rover on August 29, 2025, 15:45:00Pea Twelve Acre looking good too !
A new one on me. Great! What's it like? Sweet for podding? Or other?
I'm aiming to emerge from my podding in the next day or so and post one or two which are looking good here too.
Twelve Acre (HSL) was the best preforming (tall) pea this year , not too phased by the heat , I only ate them raw , too delicious to cook!
I'm planning to contribute a broad bean called Black Isle. I bought it from a fairly new company, Seeds of Scotland, because it has black flowers rather than the more common black and white.They say that it was developed on the Black Isle in Scotland by a local,seed-saving legend, Agric.
IMG_7651.jpeg
I've been a little more successful in bagging pepper flowers for seed-saving this year. I should be able to find enough seeds of
Lima Market Amarillo
Aji Ahuachapau (CAP220)
CAP1242
Purple Tiger
Fish
The first three of these came from a small set up called South Lincs Chilli Boys, which is unfortunately not in operation any more. I came across them in 2019 and was excited as they were so local, but I found when I contacted them that they had already ceased trading. They offered me several free packets though and these three varieties are what I received with a couple more.
Two of them have accession numbers from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research in Gatersleben, Germany. CAP stands for Capsicum Accession Passport.
The other two varieties, Fish and Purple Tiger, are both distinctive for their foliage, Fish have cream variegation and Purple Tiger purplish foliage. I'll post some photos and a few more details a bit later.
2 tomatoes are doing rather well this year. Orange Bourgoin and Delicate.
Orange Bourgoin is an indeterminate orange yellow tomato of standard salad tomato size with very good flavour. Definitely not the 'mild' flavour that some yellow tomatoes have.
Delicate is a larger indeterminate globe tomato, with some beefsteak tomato shoulders, but more round than beefsteak shaped. Both seeds come from France, Ferme de St Marthe, but Delicate appears to be originally from Russia. Both are early but not quite as early as say, Stupice. There is nothing delicate about the big red tomatoes of Delicate, but the French word can also mean delicious and that certainly applies.
https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/delicate/
https://www.fermedesaintemarthe.com/products/tomate-orange-bourgoin-ab?_pos=4&_psq=orange&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Looking forward to these peppers, Jan. How hot are they would you say? I heard that fish is definitely on the fiery side.
This is my rocket. Originally from a packet of Italian salading mix, bought in the mists of time - an unnamed cultivated rocket. It survived -16C winter temperatures in Rushden unprotected outside and survives here in the greenhouse too, where it can get colder for much longer. I took the dried plants indoors to save seeds a while ago, but some seeds must have already shed on the greenhouse floor and have just started producing again.
If allowed to seed, it is almost self perpetuating, but doesn't take away much space from the tomatoes and cucumbers. Great for salad additions in autumn and spring.
Another photo of Orange Bourgoin, on the plant. The leaves show the first signs of blight, but the fruits are not affected.
Quote from: galina on September 03, 2025, 12:17:372 tomatoes are doing rather well this year. Orange Bourgoin and Delicate.
Orange Bourgoin is an indeterminate orange yellow tomato of standard salad tomato size with very good flavour. Definitely not the 'mild' flavour that some yellow tomatoes have.
Delicate is a larger indeterminate globe tomato, with some beefsteak tomato shoulders, but more round than beefsteak shaped. Both seeds come from France, Ferme de St Marthe, but Delicate appears to be originally from Russia. Both are early but not quite as early as say, Stupice. There is nothing delicate about the big red tomatoes of Delicate, but the French word can also mean delicious and that certainly applies.
https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/delicate/
https://www.fermedesaintemarthe.com/products/tomate-orange-bourgoin-ab?_pos=4&_psq=orange&_ss=e&_v=1.0
These tomatoes look wonderful. I haven't come across the Ferme de St Marthe company. They have a great selection of tomatoes.
And the salad rocket looks a good one. I have wild rocket self-seeding but it's only good at certain times and suffers badly from flea beetle. This looks a very useful addition.
Quote from: galina on September 03, 2025, 12:48:19Looking forward to these peppers, Jan. How hot are they would you say? I heard that fish is definitely on the fiery side.
I'm not sure about the heat. It seems rather variable. When I've tried it. it's been moderate but I wouldn't guarantee it!
I tried to take some photos yesterday. Not easy to take good photos of plants in the midst of a jungle! But here are a few.
IMG_7683.JPGIMG_7692.JPGIMG_7699.JPGIMG_7695.JPG
These are indeed flower bed 'look at me!' pepper varieties Jan, so pretty. Looking forward to them. And Ahuachapau and Lima Market too.
Quote from: JanG on August 23, 2025, 07:09:52Your Green Spindle is certainly unusual and worth trying to stabilise. I would think it's unique. Are you aware of any comparable varieties in circulation?
Spotted this one yesterday in somebody's display of their tomatoes and asked for a name. It is not quite the same shape as Green Spindle, but a similar looking tomato - Artisan Green Tiger. Bred by Fred Hempel.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PREMIER-VEGETABLE-ARTISAN-Artisan-Seeds/dp/B0CZF1QPNP/ref=asc_df_B0CZF1QPNP?mcid=2693315bcb563821b1de4ff6b7aabcc8&hvocijid=16072212756358868238-B0CZF1QPNP-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16072212756358868238&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180614&hvtargid=pla-2281435176658&gad_source=1&th=1
I'd say not anywhere as unusual a shape as your Green Spindle - I love the name too.
The Artisan Green Tiger reminds me of the shape and striping of one I'm growing this year.i hope to be able to contribute seeds of this one too. It's called Shimmer
IMG_6422.jpeg
I'm also growing a completely different but interestingly shaped one, also hopefully for the Circle, called Mila Orange.
IMG_7666.jpeg
Are you thinking of contributing seeds of Green Spindle, Galina, or are you wanting to stabilise it further? We could have a mini- collection of unusual shapes!
I can contribute some Green Spindle seeds if this is of interest and will gladly do so. What I can't give is a purity guarantee. Both Shimmer and Mila Orange are definitely on the very unusual shape spectrum, lovely additions to our (already very eclectic!) tomato gardens. Thank you Jan.
Hello everyone,
sorry I have been quiet but reading the thread regularly.
Getting to the end of the tomato seed saving. It's been intense! Mango Lassi, Ron's Carbon Copy, Black from Tula, Boxcar Willie and Pamplemousse du Grand-père have done really well. I'm pleased you enjoyed Sunfire Flare. It is indeed a pretty tomato!
I have also harvested some purple potatoes from Jan's TPS (left in the ground last year). It even produced a fruit.
There are pots, trays, plates and bags on every surface. I'm sure I'm not the only one...
I haven't got all the variety names handy (I'll get a detailed list ready) but I'm hoping to contribute:
peas
beans
naked-seed pumpkin
tomatoes
chillies
golden flax
poppy
Happy harvest season everyone!
Yes same here , as the season started with window sills covered it ends that way too , cleaning the cress seed took me three episodes of Desert Island Discs (fabulous) with Carol Klein's episode being particularly apposite !
Now that is dedication MR, thank you. Glad Carol Klein helped too :sunny:
Yes, little pots of drying seeds waiting to be sorted on every available surface! The floor of our little spare bedroom is also full of white buckets of bigger stalks upside down waiting to be threshed - lettuce, coriander etc. and brown paper bags with bean pods.
I'm not close to a final list for the seed circle either but the next month should clarify things a bit.
Thank you for your good range of crops, juliev. Looking forward to variety names when you're ready. I'm growing Kakai this year by way of naked seed pumpkin but alas, no successful hand pollination. Perhaps yours is Kakai? I'm looking forward to harvesting your Desert Spirit Landrace. In my squash jungle with one or two new varieties I'm unsure of, it's difficult to see exactly what will emerge but I think there are a couple of beauties.
And I, for one, Galina, would enjoy growing on Green Spindle to see what happens.
More seeds of Green Spindle are fermenting as I write this Jan.
And I have washed the debris off the Early Prolific Straightneck squash seeds and the seeds are now drying.
Green Spindle would be of interest thank you Galina . Next season I want to explore green tomatoes more .
Green tomatoes have a different flavour, sweet and almost spicy, very sophisticated, Markfield Rover. We love them, ever since that iconic tomato of Tom Wagner's, the Green Zebra, took the tomato world by storm, now over 40 years ago.
I have a small offering of watermelon seeds. Small because only the first fruit is currently ready, called Golden Midget. Really small, looks more like a grapefruit on the ground. Correspondingly, there are not that many seeds. I didn't bag it, but there were no other watermelons around. It should be early enough for UK, even if summer isn't as blazing as in parts this year. Sorry I didn't take a photo.
This was my source of seeds and their description: "Golden Midget has been on the market since 1959 and originates from America. This variety was developed by Elwyn Meader and Albert Yeager at the University of New Hampshire. This small watermelon, weighing about 1.5 kilos, is very suitable for our climate due to its small size (and thus short growing period). 'Golden Midget' is a golden-yellow melon with juicy and sweet pinkish-red flesh. Compared to other varieties, the plant has a relatively compact growth habit, making it suitable for growing in pots or containers.
With most watermelons, it's difficult to determine when the fruit is ripe. With Golden Midget, it's somewhat easier. You can actually see it. The fruit changes color from green to yellow. Once the fruit has turned completely yellow, it's ripe."
https://www.jansenzaden.nl/products/citrullus-lanatus-watermeloen-golden-midget-47340?_pos=1&_psq=golden+mid&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=46390648570112
Looks like you all have some very exciting seeds in the pipeline!
It's been some time since I grew early prolific straightneck but I distinctly recall being impressed by the flavour, so looking forward to growing it again!
Peas were a flop this year, the early season heat was just too much for them.
Shintokiwa cucumber ripening :toothy10:
20250914_225959.jpg
Quote from: Vetivert on September 15, 2025, 18:08:19Looks like you all have some very exciting seeds in the pipeline!
It's been some time since I grew early prolific straightneck but I distinctly recall being impressed by the flavour, so looking forward to growing it again!
Peas were a flop this year, the early season heat was just too much for them. [/i]
My peas also had quite a lot of failures. They are always a bit of a fight against pigeons who love nibbling them when they're at ground level and love sitting on them when they're tall making a solid cushion and nibbling freely. Netting over the whole lot is the only solution I've found.
This year though I lost some varieties I was growing on for seed. Unusually I went away for two to three weeks in August to fit with school holidays. By the time I returned all the drying pods had completely disappeared. I'm sure small rodents are keener than ever to make the vegetable garden their home.
I hadn't heard of the Shintokiwa cucumber but it looks very good going by Vital Seeds' description. Did you find it exceptionally sweet as they claim, Vetivert?
Looking forward to the watermelon, Galina. A short season variety sounds very promising.
Shintokiwa looks like it has a very smooth skin too. I doubt it would need peeling. A very different cucumber from any we are familiar with and I hadn't heard about it either.
There are so many really nice and useful seeds to look forward to again. Have just googled Grandpa's cress and that also looks so unusual and different than the feathery cress we are more familiar with.
It's true, Shintokiwa is very sweet, the sweetest cucumber I've ever eaten.
Larger fruits are smooth but the smaller ones, picked 15-20cm have a grooved, prickly appearance. Perfectly edible though, never found it necessary to peel them.
They're still producing despite being quite heavily coated in powdery mildew for most of the season. Perhaps in years like this they would be better off outdoors. I'd like to compare them to Saiko, which is allegedly PM resistant. Though I think they'd be hard to beat for flavour.
Thank you for that additional info Vetivert. Looking forward to them.
And I have also processed the buttercup squash seeds which are now drying too. Oh that delicious melon smell as you cut into it!
I have also grown lettuce Stoke from HSL again this year. This is a miniature cos lettuce that is suited to survive winters in the South of England with minimal protection. It is certainly excellent as a follow on vegetable after an early crop is out, as it grows quite quickly and stands cold weather later in the year very well. Leaves are nice and crisp.
I got my original seeds from HSL, as did Adaptive Seeds, who describe it very well. https://www.adaptiveseeds.com/product/vegetables/lettuce/lettuce-stoke-organic/
So excited to be back after so long!
It's been 20+ years since my last allotment, but in January this year, after 5+ years on the waiting list, I finally got a plot and it's been a growing season of clearing overgrowth, lots of weeding etc and getting some plants in!
I sowed some Viola Cornetti (from Galina)saved from the 2016 seed circle.
Germination was poor but I managed to collect a decent amount of seed
Also sowed some peas from the same seed circle and lost the label 🙈 so will put those in too.
My contribution will be...
Viola Cornetti C.F.B
Peas (u/k variety)
Gazza Yellow Egg tomato- very productive, sweet variety
San Marzano Italian cooking tomato
Deb 🌻
Welcome to the seed circle, Debs, and thank you for your proposed donations. And well done for getting a new allotment up and running.
Could you give a little more information about your peas? What was their approximate height? Were they for podding or mangetout type? Were they sweet or more like soup peas? Green podded?
I'm guessing that most of us would probably not need unnamed peas but Juliev is collecting broader groupings of lots of crops and might well appreciate a donation. She and/or others might say differently, but it might be that just one packet of those, rather than seven, will be needed.
So we are now a group of eight enthusiastic growers which means of course that as we package seeds we need to be making up seven packets of each:
Galina
Vetivert
Markfield Rover
Juliev
Ruud
Garrett
Debs
JanG
Both Vetivert and Garrett gave lists early in the season of varieties they were hoping to contribute, both wonderfully rich and varied. No doubt they will both give progress reports before too long.
Galina has given regular, much appreciated progress reports and I have indicated a few contributions on a fairly random fashion as I see what's doing well.
I look forward to hearing of more possibilities as rich harvesting is hopefully progressing well for all of us.
Welcome Debs :icon_cheers: congrats on the new allotment!
Jan I'm mostly, kinda, on track with the list. As you know, peas were a failure, harvested about as much as was sown. :(
Lettuce... we'll see, terrible caterpillar problem again, with them devouring the seed heads. Awful pest.
Tomatoes have done well, as have the cucumbers.
Cress has plenty of seed heads, I just need to find out how and when to harvest it!
Radish seed already harvested and packed away, as well as some dwarf beans.
Flower-wise should have plenty of nice tall Tagetes 'Hot Stuff' and Papaver rhoeas 'Amazing Grey'.
Salvia 'Oxford Blue' is on the cards but have to check whether the seeds are still on the plants!
Sounds good Vetivert. Yes each gardening year has its challenges. Knowing how much peas matter to you and how much you like them, it is particularly disappointing that they failed for you.
However, that wonderful packet of various seeds from George McLaughlin, which you shared is still giving more joy and pleasure here. I may (still crossing everything) have got his old timey cornfield pumpkin to work finally, with the last of the seeds, selfing for pure seeds, but it is so very late and needs a long season. Seeds are definitely not ready in time for this circle.
On the other hand his bean, Childers Cutshort, is relatively early and I saved seeds for the circle. George says, he is thrilled that his seeds (even very rare within the USA!) are seeing wider circulation and growth and I can definitely recommend this variety. It is typically Appalachian, in that it has a strong string, which must be removed, and as the pod grows, the beans inside also develop. A wonderful green bean with 'content'. And with Childers you don't need that many beans, as the seeds are quite big. It is a climbing French bean, but not too rampant in its foliage. I have taken off mature dry pods, but that has not slowed down flowering or the production of more pods in the slightest. I guess these beans will go on to the end of the season.
This variety may (or not) be identical with Tennessee cutshort and this is how George tells its story and how he obtained those seeds. https://seedsavingnetwork.proboards.com/thread/162/tennessee-cutshort-pole-bean?q=childers
A couple of photos.
Sorry that first photo is sideways, trying again.
Since the peas were from that same seed circle, maybe Debs you could go back and look at what was shared that year (reference on first page of this year's circle). May trigger recollection of the name.
Otherwise a description please. Flower colour, height. Also, shelling, mangetout or snap, we had all three that year. Also credit the tomato to its donor please, it was shared in the same circle, and check its spelling!
We would love a few photos for the airbase database too and your growing reports.
Quote from: Vetivert on September 23, 2025, 13:41:06Welcome Debs :icon_cheers: congrats on the new allotment!
Jan I'm mostly, kinda, on track with the list. As you know, peas were a failure, harvested about as much as was sown. :(
Lettuce... we'll see, terrible caterpillar problem again, with them devouring the seed heads. Awful pest.
Tomatoes have done well, as have the cucumbers.
Cress has plenty of seed heads, I just need to find out how and when to harvest it!
Radish seed already harvested and packed away, as well as some dwarf beans.
Flower-wise should have plenty of nice tall Tagetes 'Hot Stuff' and Papaver rhoeas 'Amazing Grey'.
Salvia 'Oxford Blue' is on the cards but have to check whether the seeds are still on the plants!
Great to hear that most things are on track, Vetivert. My commiserations too on the peas. I similarly had a bad year with peas, losing some varieties by taking two weeks away at the wrong time and returning to find all the pods I hadn't been able to harvest before I went had been demolished by rodents.
Fingers crossed for the lettuces. I wonder what particular caterpillar that is which is attacking your seed heads. I luckily haven't experienced that before.But otherwise it sounds like some great harvesting under way. Great stuff!
Quote from: galina on September 23, 2025, 19:22:49Since the peas were from that same seed circle, maybe Debs you could go back and look at what was shared that year (reference on first page of this year's circle). May trigger recollection of the name.
Otherwise a description please. Flower colour, height. Also, shelling, mangetout or snap, we had all three that year. Also credit the tomato to its donor please, it was shared in the same circle, and check its spelling!
We would love a few photos for the airbase database too and your growing reports.
That's great, Galina. Very helpful to have all the Childers Cutshort information brought together here. I did grow it a couple of years ago from the wonderful George package but didn't fully appreciate its virtues in the hurly-burly. Looking forward to growing it again.
And fingers crossed for your squash seeds later in the year.
Quote from: JanG on September 24, 2025, 08:07:02Fingers crossed for the lettuces. I wonder what particular caterpillar that is which is attacking your seed heads. I luckily haven't experienced that before.But otherwise it sounds like some great harvesting under way. Great stuff!
In Rushden I used to get a few short white quarter inch maggots, a bit like rice grains on drying lettuce seeds, which died quickly and turned red, so were easy to spot and remove. But never in any quantities and they fortunately did not reduce seed yield either. I think they must live on fresh material, because they perished as soon as the seeds dried and they could not move out of the seed containers either. Is this what you are getting Vetivert?
Quote from: galina on September 26, 2025, 05:08:14Quote from: JanG on September 24, 2025, 08:07:02Fingers crossed for the lettuces. I wonder what particular caterpillar that is which is attacking your seed heads. I luckily haven't experienced that before.But otherwise it sounds like some great harvesting under way. Great stuff!
In Rushden I used to get a few short white quarter inch maggots, a bit like rice grains on drying lettuce seeds, which died quickly and turned red, so were easy to spot and remove. But never in any quantities and they fortunately did not reduce seed yield either. I think they must live on fresh material, because they perished as soon as the seeds dried and they could not move out of the seed containers either. Is this what you are getting Vetivert?
Actually, that rings a bell with me too. Very few and dead by the time I've sorted. Perhaps they thrive in much greater numbers in southern climes.
Pretty sure they are cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae
https://www.wildlifeinsight.com/british-moths/cabbage-moth-mamestra-brassicae/ (https://www.wildlifeinsight.com/british-moths/cabbage-moth-mamestra-brassicae/)
Oh dear. It looks like the only guard would be yet more mesh/netting. To use mesh on lettuces going to seed would be very hard to satisfactorily arrange.
The proportion of veg safely growing fully out in the open is shrinking!
Indeed... :(
They've wiped out the seeds of Loos Tennis Ball.
I do wonder where the eggs are laid. If its on the leaves of the lettuce then removing the uppermost leaves on the bolting spike and installing a mini grease band around the centre could prevent them reaching the flowers.
Unfortunately I suspect that the eggs are laid directly on the flower buds as the number of caterpillars up there is extraordinary.
It is quite bizzare as the lettuce heads themselves are untouched by caterpillars. I don't know why they have a taste for lettuce seeds, as if there isn't an abundance of other things to eat, like my tomatoes which they chomp holes in on the regular :BangHead:
I am so sorry about such a devastation. You had bad luck with the peas and now also with the lettuces. I have 2024 seeds of Loos, if you are short, please say and I can add some for you to try again.
"This variety may (or not) be identical with Tennessee cutshort and this is how George tells its story and how he obtained those seeds. https://seedsavingnetwork.proboards.com/thread/162/tennessee-cutshort-pole-bean?q=childers"
I don't partake in the seed saving circle, but often dip into it out of interest. I followed up your reference to George's story - quite fascinating, that you Galina!
Quote from: Vetivert on September 27, 2025, 18:31:59Indeed... :(
They've wiped out the seeds of Loos Tennis Ball.
I do wonder where the eggs are laid. If its on the leaves of the lettuce then removing the uppermost leaves on the bolting spike and installing a mini grease band around the centre could prevent them reaching the flowers.
Unfortunately I suspect that the eggs are laid directly on the flower buds as the number of caterpillars up there is extraordinary.
It is quite bizzare as the lettuce heads themselves are untouched by caterpillars. I don't know why they have a taste for lettuce seeds, as if there isn't an abundance of other things to eat, like my tomatoes which they chomp holes in on the regular :BangHead:
If this is looking likely to be a recurring event, and if the moths are laying directly on the buds and also if you were able to catch it at the right time, could you try tying a piece of thin fleece round the developing lettuce head quite late on but before the buds are formed. I'm imagining tying it round the stalk once the stalk has got to a certain height? It all depends upon what stage the eggs are laid at of course.
Obviously rather an undertaking but worth trying on one head per precious variety perhaps?
Last one (I think) is a bean from Bohnenatlas called Draculas Eye. Origin is Transsylvania in Romania, grown here and by a Danish seed saver in the past. This hopefully means that they will grow well in UK also, despite hailing from much further South.
This is a truly wonderful bean that is useful at all stages. My yield was very heavy. The pods are quite fat, stringless and excellent as green beans. When the seeds inside the pods have matured, a red hue appears, then they can be shelled. Large seeds, up to six per pod, are great for adding to soups, stews and more. Really useful for freezing freshly shelled beans without drying for winter use without the faff of soaking first. Of course they can equally be used as dry beans.
https://www.bohnen-atlas.de/sorten/d/2356-draculas-eye
That looks a great bean, Galina. Always useful and rewarding to have a bean which can be eaten at all stages. Thank you.
Many moons ago 2015 ish Galina ( I think ) contributed cinnamon vine aerial tubers , I have just found a straggly bit in the corner of the greenhouse, the mice have had a field day so I only managed to rescue a small number and these are small from peppercorn to large pea size .
I am not sure if they are big enough to be viable but if anyone is interested I could add them to the list !
That's lovely MR, one less packet to do as I obviously don't need them, still going strong here, so yours will stretch a little further. Doesn't it smell lovely when flowering? Tiny aerial tubers will grow just fine, especially if they are put into a pot, with barely damp soil, over winter frost free.
Please could we have some information about cinnamon vine. It's new to me. Is it edible? What does it do?!
Sounds intriguing.
As we are quite near our November deadline, I think we need confirmation from Debs that she would like to participate. There has been only one post from you, Debs, and on that basis I don't think we can ask everyone to prepare extra seed packets.
I think it's fair to say that we need to hear more in the next four or five days as we will all be apportioning seed in the coming weeks.
In line with the request to Debs to give information about the varieties she mentioned it will be good for us all to exchange more information, and photos where possible, as we prepare our contributions. Thank you to participants, especially Galina, for information already shared.
I hope to play my part by making a final decision about at least tomatoes and posting later today!
JanG, I didn't joined your seed saver group and I don't need anything but I would like to send your group some of my this tear Mayoral Blue Squash seeds to pass on if you wish. I got 4 decent sized squash and a smaller one ,they are out of the garden now and are inside in a cool room. If you can give me an idea how many seeds you could use I will get them to you. Canada post is currently on strike since last Thursday and not accepting anything for mailing.Last year it was 5 weeks. Let me know.XX Jeannine
Thank you Jeannine, we will do our very best to keep this variety going and sharing seeds further. You went above and beyond to make this possible and we appreciate it very much. :sunny:
Information about cinnamon vine below. Basically it is a yam, that produces both starchy mini yam aerial tubers on the plant after flowering and also big storage tubers in the ground. Both are fully edible and nice tasting. The flowers smell very nice too, but more like quality fabric softener than cinnamon (in my experience).
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/cinnamon.aspx#:~:text=Cinnamon%20vine%2C%20so%20named%20because,weight%20up%20to%20a%20pound.
In haste .. hopefully the following..
CFB Box. Poletscka. Alice Whitis Pink.
DFB .Cupitano.
Pea. Twelve Acre. Fairbeards Pariel.
Cress. Grandpa's.
Toms. First in the field ( it was!) Glacier. Rose de Berne. Mexican Midget. Peppermint. Peruvianum. Goldiana .
Cinnamon Vine . Mangle , Yellow Intermediate.
Flowers. Impomoea, Tutu. Four O'clock flower. Lucy's Starburst Marigolds. Viola ,Brush Strokes. Species Sweet Pea, Pink Tangier.
Cosmos, Sulphureus.
There should have been more peas , just was not their time.
Quote from: Jeannine on October 03, 2025, 08:43:28JanG, I didn't joined your seed saver group and I don't need anything but I would like to send your group some of my this tear Mayoral Blue Squash seeds to pass on if you wish. I got 4 decent sized squash and a smaller one ,they are out of the garden now and are inside in a cool room. If you can give me an idea how many seeds you could use I will get them to you. Canada post is currently on strike since last Thursday and not accepting anything for mailing.Last year it was 5 weeks. Let me know.XX Jeannine
Thank you very much, Jeanine. Having read abut your efforts to keep this variety going it will be an honour to be part of trying to ensure it lives on.
We are either seven or eight members. If you have lots of seeds then please send plenty for each member and I will happily divide them up and distribute.
We operate to an end of November deadline. With your postal strike and the time it takes for squash seeds to dry out it might well be that that is too soon for your seeds. Please send them anyway and I will either put them in the freezer for next year or, more likely, ask that anyone who wants to grow them next year should let me know and I'll post them out later but in time for growing.
Thank you again, Jeannine. We look forward to receiving these very special seeds when the postal strike sorts itself out.
Quote from: markfield rover on October 03, 2025, 09:50:56In haste .. hopefully the following..
CFB Box. Poletscka. Alice Whitis Pink.
DFB .Cupitano.
Pea. Twelve Acre. Fairbeards Pariel.
Cress. Grandpa's.
Toms. First in the field ( it was!) Glacier. Rose de Berne. Mexican Midget. Peppermint. Peruvianum. Goldiana .
Cinnamon Vine . Mangle , Yellow Intermediate.
Flowers. Impomoea, Tutu. Four O'clock flower. Lucy's Starburst Marigolds. Viola ,Brush Strokes. Species Sweet Pea, Pink Tangier.
Cosmos, Sulphureus.
There should have been more peas , just was not their time.
That's great, MR. A lovely list. Both pea varieties are new to me so much appreciated. And so are all the tomatoes, come to that.
Tomatoes for the seed circle.
I've already mentioned and posted photos of Mila Orange (Russian, indeterminate, seeds from Jeannine and before that, Heritage Harvest Seeds) and Shimmer. Shimmer is a fairly recent commercially available variety, bred by Henk van der Velde who worked at Burpee Seeds in US. It is often sold as an F1 hybrid but I grew the ones in my photo from my own seed so I'm assuming the next generation will come true too. My original seed came from Simply Seeds
In addition I'd like to contribute:
Moldovan Green
OSU Blue
Sunviva
Violet Noir
Some notes:
Moldovan Green. As the name suggests it originates from Moldova from where seed as saved and distributed through the Seed Savers Handbook in US in 1998. It's a lovely beefsteak, green with yellowish streaking and excellent taste. It's a good short season variety and I grew it successfully outdoors. Seed from Jeannine.
IMG_6563.jpgIMG_6567.JPG
OSU Blue. I love the anthocyanin colouring of dark tomatoes and this one is bigger than some and a real winner in my book. It's quite heavy cropping and tastes good. OSU stands for Oregon State University where this variety was experimentally developed by Jim Myers in the first years of this century. It's one of the earliest anthocyanin varieties. My original seed was from an exchange.
IMG_6341.JPGIMG_6340.JPG
Sunviva This is a recent, blight resistant variety, bred by a team at Gottingen University, so very useful for outdoor growing. It has small, slightly oval yellow cherry fruit. The plants are very vigorous and it produces fruit prolifically. It canted to split but the taste is excellent. Seed from a swap, originally from Brown Envelope Seeds I think. It has an open source seed licence.
IMG_6380.jpg
Violet Noir. I very much liked this variety which again came from Jeannine. It is a dusky coloured beefsteak and very productive for a large tomato. It was created in 1998 and further developed by Pascal Moreau, the Belgium breeder who also created Ananas Noire.
IMG_7471.jpgIMG_6396 2.JPGIMG_6530 2.jpg.
Sunviva was one of the earliest ever seeds with an OSSI licence in Germany. Naturally looking forward to growing them, Jan. Your others look yummy too. Violet Noir is a beauty.
Much to look forward to from you also MR. All of your peas have thrived so well here.
Here is the Sunviva information. https://www.opensourceseeds.org/en
Hello everyone,
So many wonderful varieties being shared and even new crops (never heard of the cinnamon vine before)! I need a much bigger plot, polytunnel, some help and maybe an extra hundred years to be able to grow it all... How do you manage to keep so many varieties going?
Update on my list:
poppy (P Somniferum): white seeds Sokol (pale flowers)
dark flowers After Midnight (dark seeds)
I grew them in their own beds, as far away as I could to prevent crossing (a few off-types in the original seeds I had bought though).
Pea: Dwarf Grey Sugar pea
It was rough for the poor peas this year. The mixes did ok overall but the pure varieties I was trying to save didn't do as well... Thankfully I have enough seeds to grow them out again.
Tomatoes: I need to count the seeds and see what I can share.
I also grew Sgt Pepper and Sunviva this year and they did really well. My Sunviva seeds were from Seeds of Scotland, fruited early, vigorous plant and kept sending side shoots that kept on fruiting. Definitely a keeper!
peppers/chillies: Fingers crossed I'll have enough seeds to share.
French beans: TBC (I've got a lot of counting ahead of me!!!)
I haven't opened them yet but I should have:
Naked-seed squash (C. Pepo) Penelopa (original seeds from She Grow Veg) hand-pollinated for pure seeds
more info here https://theplantexplorer.com/shop/64-the-plant-explorer-seeds/1857-cucurbita-pepo-penelopa/ (https://theplantexplorer.com/shop/64-the-plant-explorer-seeds/1857-cucurbita-pepo-penelopa/)
If you're interested in naked-seed pumpkins (but not a specific variety) I have also Penelopa X Dana and Dana X Penelopa/Dana/Kakai. I'm happy to send those separately to whoever wants to try them.
Jan, unfortunately it was the last of my Kakai seeds, having tried them two years in a row and not getting a single fruit from any of the plants...
Golden Flax
Amaranth Grain (originally the rainbow mix from Real Seeds)
I also tried a couple of popping types that grew really well (they were separate from the rainbow mix) but I'm not sure how much crossing could have happened there... Let me know if you're interested!
Debs, I am happy to grow your mystery peas. I grow most crops as mixes/populations so not knowing the name of the variety is not an issue.
To everyone:
As Jan mentioned (thank you for thinking of me!), I work mainly with seed mixes and have been sharing my excess seeds via a small seed library. This year, I expanded the project to a UK seed share project, inspired by this group, but focusing on creating diverse mixes for each crop type.
If you have excess seeds or off-types/crosses you usually get rid of, I would love to give them a chance in the seed share project (obviously happy to pay postage etc). You can send me a private message here or email me at seedshareuk@gmail.com to discuss further.
Jan, if this post is not ok in this thread, please remove it or let me know and I'll remove it.
Juliev, I have never grown naked seeded pumpkins, but bought plenty from the health food shop! We slightly roast them in a dry pan, a dash of salt and they go on top of soups together with a dollop of Greek Yoghurt. Looking forward to the experience of growing my own. Penelopa seeds will be very welcome here.
Thank you galina for the cinnamon vine link , were the bulbils originally from you back in 2015 ? They really are indestructible and very forgiving, I think I may try a tuber , finally !
Yes it was. Under Herbs and Edibles.
https://seedsaverscircle.org/seed-circle/a4a-seed-saver-group-2015/
Thank you for your interesting list, Juliev. Again in awe of your successful hand pollination. I would appreciate both your named naked seed squash and your hybrid. I enjoy the whole process of harvesting the green seeds. Mine simply go in my muesli mix or just for munching raw. The yield isn't huge, I find; I'd need at least six or eight squash to keep me going for the year but they're very much valued. Sorry your Kakai didn't make it. I have two large squash formed on my plant but alas, not isolated or hand pollinated.
Juliev, I'm very happy for you to give your splendid project an annual mention here and direct further discussion, as you did, to pm or email. Good luck with this year's sharing.
Is your popping amaranth for heating and popping like popcorn?
It reminds me that I'm growing strawberry popcorn which I'm hoping to have available as seed, albeit perhaps not enough plants for longer term vigour. Yet to be harvested so it's one to monitor and decide about.
OK, Canada Post still on strike, d**n it but I will not forget
OK, Canada Post still on strike, d**n it but I will not forget
PMs sent with seed circle admin details.
And on seeds, I've sorted out lettuces and peas at last and would like to contribute:
Lettuces
Lollo Rossa
An old standard frilly loose leaf lettuce which is pinkish red and a good standby for picking at leaf by leaf
IMG_15Oct2025at105308.jpg
Rouge Grenoble
Another well established variety which grows well away from summer heat and successfully over winters under cover
Vailan
This is a Little Gem type for winter growing
Hyper Red Rumple Waved
The seed for this fairly recent Frank Morton variety came from Seeds of Scotland and is an OSSI variety. Their notes for the variety are: "Dark burgundy red /purple leaf lettuce with deeply waved leaves, great for holding onto your salad dressing. Cut and come again as a loose-leaf lettuce or harvest as whole-heads. The deep red pigment, known as the antioxidant anthocyanin means this lettuce is resilient in cold and wet conditions, a great choice for Scotland."
IMG_15Oct2025at105236.jpg
Brown Goldring
This came from HSL. T's a vigorous late cos. Their notes are, "Originally known as 'Goldring's Bath Cos', this lettuce won an Award of Merit from the RHS in 1923. Produces crisp heads in the summer and, like many of the old cos varieties, will overwinter with minimal protection. The dark green leaves have bronze tips and are sweet, crisp and juicy; they also keep well when compared with other lettuces. Sow to harvest 55 days (approx).
Won an award of merit from the RHS 1923. A deliciously tasting variety with more substance than modern Cos varieties. Hardy, it can be overwintered with little protection & has proved quite slug-resistant.
An exceptionally tasty and cold-tolerant bronze-tipped romaine lettuce. This type of lettuce has a crisp texture, juicy flavor, and impressive cold tolerance. Breeders and gardeners in the know consider this variety as an underappreciated gem. The conical heads are tightly wrapped and make an excellent scoop or canoe for filling!"
Peas
Clarke's Beltony Blue
This is a podding pea which I received in one of the first seed swaps I ever did, many years ago. It's an HSL variety. The peas are sweeter than many purple podded types. HSL notes are, HSL:This heirloom variety has been grown on our donor's great grandfather's farm in Co. Tyrone since at least 1850 (but possibly as far back as 1815). This tall (around 1.5m), prolific and vigorous pea produces beautiful pale pink and rich maroon flowers followed by a heavy crop of purple pods. The peas have a sweet and smooth flavour, becoming even sweeter when cooked. Sow to harvest 100 days (approx).
IMG_9575.JPG
Ruby Beauty
I received seeds in a seed swap with a grower in Canada. It is a red podded variety. Red podded varieties have previously not been available commercially and for many who do their own pea breeding are a holy grail. Like many of these hitherto non-commercial attempts to achieve a red-podded variety, they are at their reddest when young becoming more purplish as they age. A hypertendril mange tout. It was bred by Dylana Kapuler and Mario DiBenedetto of Peace Seedlings.
IMG_5323.jpg
Raatviksaart soup pea
Another seed swap variety but originally from Real Seeds. The seed is tiny and almost black. It's a Swedish soup pea but can be eaten fresh when young. Real Seeds notes: Mentioned by Linnaeus in 1741, this traditional Swedish soup pea is multipurpose - not just dried for soups, but sweet enough to eat fresh when very young, & also ground to make flour for bread and porridge. It's a medium-tall variety growing to around 5 foot in a typical year.
Sent to us by Jake Whitson in Sweden, who said:
"from the county to the north of us (Dalarna) where they have very hard winters, and the plants which we planted a little late survived into the winter through temperatures of -8C"
Grown in Rättvik until 1900, then thought lost until regenerated from a small sample in a seedbank.
This.jpg
Thank you JanG , I am doing my finalish sort out and I have a CFB and a mangetout that I was only able to save a few seeds 5/6 per member, if that's okay I'll add, also I believe the CFB Croft Italian, I added to the circle eight years ago - so may not be required by some. Cheers
I only have 4 seeds each of the watermelon MR. 5 or 6 is plenty for peas. Too few for some veggies, but with peas, beans or squash, that is no issue. And bean Croft's Italian can be shared without a packet for me. I have just checked and have seeds, as well as a little stash safely in the freezer.
Jan, how unusual is that black pea? Looks so exotic. And having over the years shared, I believe all of Alan Kapuler's peas, it is great to get to grow a pea bred by his daughter too.
Quote from: markfield rover on October 15, 2025, 16:16:37Thank you JanG , I am doing my finalish sort out and I have a CFB and a mangetout that I was only able to save a few seeds 5/6 per member, if that's okay I'll add, also I believe the CFB Croft Italian, I added to the circle eight years ago - so may not be required by some. Cheers
As Galina says, 5 to 6 seeds per member is absolutely fine for peas and beans and cucurbits. And I would love some Croft's Italian please, so do include that too (minus one packet)
Hi Jan, awesome contributions! I haven't received your PM for admin details, please could you resend? Thanks :wave:
Sorry about that Vetivert. I sent your message to the person who once upon a time used the other name you sometimes use elsewhere!
It is now sent under your present A4A user name.
It's probably me , but I can't find PMs or notifications of ! And JanG yours has disappeared! Anyone else ? Cheers.
Sorry , just to add I sent a PM to juliev yesterday and that's lost too !
That's mysterious, MR. Vetivert's missing email had a simple explanation but I have no idea why you're having trouble. I'll send the admin email to you again.
Thank you . It's all getting exciting now ! I was eyeing up the glassine paper that my bread came in to repurpose as seed packets!
Hello everyone,
sorry it's been a bit crazy around here...
I have a lot to replies to catch up on... I'll start with the latest:
JanG, I have received the final details, thank you!
Markfield Rover, I also have your message, thank you!
JanG, yes, the amaranth is supposed to pop a bit like popcorn, or maybe more like puffed rice? What I can't figure out is if all grain amaranth (the cream/beige seeds) have the ability to puff... Looks like I've got some experiments ahead of me!
re Kakai, what are your chances of pure seeds? Are you going to grow out a few and see?
ok, tomato list:
black strawberry - pink/red stripy cherry, beautiful and shiny!
indigo fireball - yellow with antho top, quite big for a cherry
Mlle Foriers - beautiful pink/red with antho shoulders, med/big
Marsha's Starfighter - beautiful dark stripy antho beefsteak
As you have noticed, I select tomatoes on looks :glasses9:
Quote from: markfield rover on October 20, 2025, 12:42:17I was eyeing up the glassine paper that my bread came in to repurpose as seed packets!
Your seed packets are always a bit special, Markfield Rover. I will never part with the hand painted ones we had one year. They are treasured.
They do sound really nice Juliev. Are they all fairly modern varieties?
Quote from: juliev on October 20, 2025, 18:09:23JanG, yes, the amaranth is supposed to pop a bit like popcorn, or maybe more like puffed rice? What I can't figure out is if all grain amaranth (the cream/beige seeds) have the ability to puff... Looks like I've got some experiments ahead of me!
re Kakai, what are your chances of pure seeds? Are you going to grow out a few and see?
ok, tomato list:
black strawberry - pink/red stripy cherry, beautiful and shiny!
indigo fireball - yellow with antho top, quite big for a cherry
Mlle Foriers - beautiful pink/red with antho shoulders, med/big
Marsha's Starfighter - beautiful dark stripy antho beefsteak
As you have noticed, I select tomatoes on looks :glasses9:
I found some interesting online ways of using popped amaranth - as breakfast cereal, as a snack flavoured like popcorn, as a topping on a stir-fry etc. All tempting ideas.
A search on whether all grain amaranths can be popped came up with, " All grain amaranths (species cultivated for edible seeds, primarily Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus) can be popped, though with varying success depending on freshness, dryness, and seed size. While each grain type will pop under high dry heat, some varieties expand more fully than others. For instance, A. cruentus (common in Mexico for making the traditional candy alegría) tends to pop most efficiently and evenly. A. caudatus and A. hypochondriacus will also puff, but their grains may produce smaller pops due to differences in seed coat and moisture content." Do you know which species your popping types are? I'll be interested to hear the results of any experimenting.
On Kakai coming true from seed - very little chance with mine. I have several other C.pepo varieties within easy reach. I won't try to grow them on as that's a lot of space taken by a squash which might well have neither usable flesh nor seeds.
Your tomatoes sound amazing. I can't resist a good looker either!
Quote from: JanG on October 03, 2025, 15:16:04Tomatoes for the seed circle.
OSU Blue. I love the anthocyanin colouring of dark tomatoes and this one is bigger than some and a real winner in my book. It's quite heavy cropping and tastes good. OSU stands for Oregon State University where this variety was experimentally developed by Jim Myers in the first years of this century. It's one of the earliest anthocyanin varieties. My original seed was from an exchange.
It is actually t h e earliest non GM blue tomato ever created. Here is a bit more of its origin. https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/osu-blue-p20/
A sample of tomato OSU Blue aka P20 'left' OSU, when it was in its late development stages and was avidly shared in seed communities. And called 'OSU Blue'. Later the final product was selected, which is now being sold as 'Indigo Rose', which I believe we also shared in the seed circle. Indigo Rose is a little larger than OSU Blue, but OSU Blue was not yet the finished article, when it was 'liberated' from the lab. This is the grandparent of a l l the very many blue varieties we now enjoy.
A quick guide on how to post photos in this group. Instead of clicking 'post' after the text has been written, click on 'preview' instead. Then 'click or drag files here to attach them' shows at the bottom of the text window.
I want to attach a photo of my Snookie tps harvest, so I click and then open the photo file. There is a size limit, so very large photos may have to be compressed. The second photo has been 'dragged' into the screen and that also worked. When I can see my photos, I just click 'post' as normal to finish my post with photos.
Hope this helps.
That's an interesting method. Another way is to click on Reply immediately after the last message rather than using the reply box lower down the page. That way you also have the option to include photos. The same 'click or drag files here to attach them' shows at the bottom of the text window.
Excellent idea to clarify, Galina, as it's lovely to have photos on different varieties offered.
My photos always turn out rather large. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I'll try your method to see whether my photos come up more modestly!
Ah that is a more sophisticated method JanG, because you have photos inserted between the text. Mine are only at the bottom. :icon_cheers:
As to size, mine open out when clicked. Perhaps I compress my photos a little more than you do.
I think you can fairly easily add photos where you want them whichever method you use. You just need to click in the right place and then click the 'Insert' on the photo.
I'm realising after again reading your last but one message, Galina, that mine come up large because I had assumed that I needed to click Insert rather than just leave them at the bottom of the message. .
So here once again the same photo.
snookie tps huge bucket.JPG
And then the rest of the text. I note that it gives you options what size of photo to insert, but they are not easy to use. I have inserted the potato photo, but left auto as the size. It will be interesting to see what size that insert will display, as I cannot currently see it before post is clicked. This is different to how I normally attach photos, but I wanted to try your method, JanG.
And yes, this also results in a huge photo, with a smaller photo at the bottom.
Quote from: galina on October 23, 2025, 18:45:20I note that it gives you options what size of photo to insert, but they are not easy to use. I have inserted the potato photo, but left auto as the size. It will be interesting to see what size that insert will display, as I cannot currently see it before post is clicked. This is different to how I normally attach photos, but I wanted to try your method, JanG.
Yes, I haven't experimented with the number of pixels and I guess when using auto the size of the original photo file determines the size it appears in loco.
Hello everybody,here a message from over the pond,been busy collecting seeds for the seedcircle.I also have a lot of old seedswho are expired from there date but still will germinated,if there is intrest.I will here it from you.Till know i have for the seedcircle the following seeds"beans:selma zestra
reading purple
mantra
acman ayse sirik
bosnian
golden sunshine
These are all pole beans,there are more varieties in progres,still drying.
I also have some herbs:turkish parsley,turkish dill.
I am going through all my seeds till know i have for the seedcircle:brussel sprouts roodnerf 2025
long island 2024
turnip de milan 2023
kirmizi pancar
multicolour chard 2023
scorzonera long black 2023
okra clemson spineless 2022
Lettuce yedikule 5701 2025
rocket 2022
basil 2024
borage 2022
mayweed 2024
koriander 2024
Still to come a lot of melons,pumpkins,tomatoes,pepers,etc.Will be continued.
Hi Ruud. Thanks for all these. Very interesting. It's always interesting to have your contributions, and your connection with Turkey yields lots of interesting varieties. I looked up Acman Ayse Sirik as it sounded Turkish. It seems that Ayse is a type of high yielding, tender, white seeded climbing bean. Does that match your experience of it? There's a variant of Ayse called Alman Ayse. Could that be the one? And Sirik means climbing rather than dwarf. Certainly one to look forward to. And I'm particularly looking forward to Reading Purple too.
I'd love to know how you got on with Roodnerf Brussel sprout. It looks like a great heirloom variety with redd veins in the leaves. When I've grown brussel sprouts from open pollinated seed they've often been rather blown although I once did well with Groninger. It's about time to try a new OP variety. Thanks for including that one.
https://tohumbaba.com/urun/fasulye-seker-fasulye/ did you find this side.
Quote from: ruud on October 26, 2025, 08:38:06https://tohumbaba.com/urun/fasulye-seker-fasulye/ did you find this side.
Is that the same bean, Ruud? It has a different name
I have also beans with that naam,maybe the same bean with a different name.
Gialèt della Val Belluna Another prolific producer. I loved this bean. It is adopted by the Slow Food Foundation and was originally specific to the Belluna valley in northern Italy. It is valued for its gently flavour as a dried bean but it is also very satisfying to shell for fresh light yellow-green shelled beans. If you remove the string the pod falls open satisfyingly for shelling. I received these originally several years ago in a swap with an Italian grower. It also goes under the name Solferino.
This 2.jpg
Papa de Rola. Another good producer which can be used for green beans as well as dried. My seeds came in a swap with a Canadian grower.
IMG_5080.jpg
Paul Bunyan Giant. This produces large flat pods up to about 10-12" long with slightly flattened seeds in side them. Although pods are very large there aren't that many of them but overall satisfyingly productive. Another Canadian swap. It was originally obtained by Russ Crow from a New Zealand Bean Project.
This 3.jpg
Dwarf
Resistant Cherokee Wax. A heavy producer of wax snap beans and black dried beans. Another variety from a Canadian grower. It's resistant to mosaic virus and grows vigorously for a dwarf variety. Introduced in 1959 IMG_6361.JPG
Dakota Bumble This is grown for dried beans. I've included it because it's so pretty. It has three different sed coat pattern, either black, white or white splashed with black. It was apparently an insect pollinated cross of Jacob's Cattle offered originally by Prairie Road Seeds in US. This 4.jpg
Poroto Huancabamba . Another dried bean variety with an intriguing name and unusually patterned seeds, deep pink with a white splash. Apparently Huancabamba is in northern Peru and poroto is the Spanish word for bean. My Canadian grower obtained it from an American grower. This 5.jpg
Semi
Ugandan Bantu. This is another mixture, this time of seven or eight rather random colours, patterns and sizes, making a very attractive mix. The plants grow to perhaps a metre and twine a little, so benefit from some support. I haven't been able to find out how long this particular mixture, presumably coming from the Bantu speaking people of Uganda, has been commercially available. It is offered by the Heritage Seed Bank in US who describe it as a landrace. This 6.jpg
https://biotektohum.com.tr/tohum/alman-ayse-sirik/ this is one of the beans i bought on the market in turkey.The right name is alman ayse.
Lots of very exciting beans to come. Thank you Jang and Ruud.
I have the following varieties tomato for the seedcircle:pine-apple pig
royal hillybilly
grasa de bihor
creole
abraham lincoln
napa giant
la cadera
zaitska
sherill
christmas tree
unknown one
super yerli marmande
domates H 2274
domates SC 2121
These are the tomatoes i will contribute to the seedcircle.
Wow,Ruud. That's a great list.
I was intrigued by the last two on your list and, because I'm interested in the history of different varieties, did a little research. I found that Domates is Turkish for tomato.
Apparently H 2274 stands for Heinz 2274. I didn't know that the Heinz company has developed various tomato varieties over the years and an arm of the company called Heinz Seeds has released these at various times. Heinz 2274 is good for making sauces, as you'd expect for Heinz, and it was released in around 2008.
And SC 2121 appears to be a popular Turkish variety, possibly developed by Bursa Seeds and first offered in 1986. SC possibly stands for Standard Cultivar to show that the variety reaches a particular standard. It is apparently determinate and an early variety, typically maturing in about 65 to 70 days. The fruits are round-shaped, deep red, with a thin skin, and crack resistant, 160-180 grams per fruit. It sounds perfect!
The las two tomatoes are commercial ones.
Quote from: ruud on October 29, 2025, 12:34:23The las two tomatoes are commercial ones.
Yes. Do you mean that the seed will be bought seed that you haven't grown yourself yet?
It would be good to have a bit of information about the different varieties in your list. Indeterminate or determinate? Cherry, salad, beefsteak etc? Red, yellow etc?
And could you especially give some information about Zaitska. I haven't found anything online about this one. And I can find Super Marmande but not Super Yerli Marmande either. Is it different from both Marmande and Super Marmande? Thanks for any info you can give.
https://gardenseedsmarket.com/tomato-zyska.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqE0BrTIjQJCW1irpEJNN_pmQnl9l29Uadlkwwk3C31RA0SYd-Z
zaitska is wrong it has to be zyska.
https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/royal-hillbilly/
https://www.tomatofest.com/Creole_Tomato_Seeds_p/tf-0129.htm
https://www.tomatofest.com/Abraham_Lincoln_heirloom_tomato_seeds_p/tf-0003.htm
https://www.wildboarfarms.com/product/napa-giant/
https://merakiseeds.com/la-cadero-tomato
Quote from: ruud on October 30, 2025, 09:26:50https://gardenseedsmarket.com/tomato-zyska.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqE0BrTIjQJCW1irpEJNN_pmQnl9l29Uadlkwwk3C31RA0SYd-Z
zaitska is wrong it has to be zyska.
https://www.tomatofifou.com/en/produit/royal-hillbilly/
https://www.tomatofest.com/Creole_Tomato_Seeds_p/tf-0129.htm
https://www.tomatofest.com/Abraham_Lincoln_heirloom_tomato_seeds_p/tf-0003.htm
https://www.wildboarfarms.com/product/napa-giant/
https://merakiseeds.com/la-cadero-tomato
Thanks Ruud. That's helpful. There is one reference to a Zaitska tomato online https://jardinsdetomates.fr/variete_jdt/zaitska/
But that's quite different. Zyska is a dwarf plum tomato and Zaitska seems to be a tall plant with a round red tomato.
So the big question is whether yours is a dwarf plum tomato or a tall round red. :drunken_smilie:
I think your other references are less controversial!
Next year will give the answer.
https://www.natural100.ro/seminte-de-legume-traditionale-romanesti-seminte-de-rosii-rasaduri-de-rosii/seminte-de-rosii-grasa-de-bihor.html?srsltid=AfmBOordgap_i9VX755YxhAcYJnJ1Qk9oZmnzCvRRFxqXfDLg8GuZSGH
https://commonsenseseeds.ca/seeds/tomato-christmas-tree/
https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Pineapple_Pig_Heirloom_Tomatoes_15209.php
Quote from: ruud on October 30, 2025, 14:29:38Next year will give the answer.
I think I'm understanding that the last two are seeds you have bought but haven't grown yet. If that's the case, is the name on the packet not clear?
Thanks for the further references.
Zyska or zaitska i meant,that will be solved next year.I didnot grew them yet,they were from i swap i did,no clue anymore with whom.
Quote from: ruud on October 31, 2025, 08:43:46Zyska or zaitska i meant,that will be solved next year.I didnot grew them yet,they were from i swap i did,no clue anymore with whom.
Thanks Ruud. Sorry to be pushy. I was just really interested to know their background and it will be very interesting, as you say, to see how they turn out next year.
https://arzumantohum.com/katalog/Arzuman_katalog.pd
Hi folks,
Here's my complete list for 2025:
Tomato, S. lycopersicum
Beefsteak
Jazz
Orange Jazz
Vinson Watts
Cherry
Pinky
Primabella
Round slicer
Queen of Hearts
Dwarf Beans, P. vulgaris var. nanus
Krummschnabel
Mulldoon
Dwarf Lil' Daisy
Tan Six Weeks
Climbing Beans, P. vulgaris var. vulgaris
Fat Man
Napier-Combs Family Greasy
Runner Bean, P. coccineus
Stenner
Lettuce, L. sativa
Wiener Maidivi
Radish, R. sativus
Smooth-leaved Mooli
(appears similar to variety sold as 'China Jade' by Baker Creek)
Cress, Lepidium sativum
Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled
Marigold, Tagetes erecta
Hot Stuff
Angel's Trumpets, Mirabilis longiflora
Clary Sage, Salvia viridis
Oxford Blue
Summer Squash, C. maxima
Duobao
https://agrohaitai.com/collections/zucchini/products/ss1640-duobao-f1
------
I'll follow-up with comments and details around shipping time.
You may notice the Shintokiwa cucumber is absent. For some reason it didn't produce viable seeds, just empty seed coats!
Thank you Ruud. This link works
https://arzumantohum.com/katalog/Arzuman_katalog.pdf
Great selection Vetivert, thank you. Is Duobao f1 or open pollinated? Looking forward to exhibition winning extra long Stenner. The radish is dual harvest with edible tops too, according to Baker Creek.
A great list,Vetivert. Thank you. I didn't know that there's a dwarf form of Lil' Daisy. That will be interesting to try. Fat Man is also an interesting one for me. I had heard good things of it and grew it this year. But for me it was just too late. I had no flower at all by late August and although it flowered eventually its few beans were much too late to produce seeds. It will be good to be able to try again with seed produced more locally.
And Clary Sage. It's decades since I've grown that. How lovely to renew an acquaintance!
https://cokertohumculuk.com/urunlerimiz/#*
Quote from: galina on November 01, 2025, 06:11:05Great selection Vetivert, thank you. Is Duobao f1 or open pollinated? Looking forward to exhibition winning extra long Stenner. The radish is dual harvest with edible tops too, according to Baker Creek.
Duobao is an F1 variety, we'll discover the offspring together :)
Yes the radish is a leaf variety with hairless leaves, so suitable to salads. I didn't try the roots but they were fairly small, and white. The seed packet didn't have a cultivar name as such, just 'Mooli leaf'.
Quote from: JanG on November 01, 2025, 07:26:23A great list,Vetivert. Thank you. I didn't know that there's a dwarf form of Lil' Daisy. That will be interesting to try. Fat Man is also an interesting one for me. I had heard good things of it and grew it this year. But for me it was just too late. I had no flower at all by late August and although it flowered eventually its few beans were much too late to produce seeds. It will be good to be able to try again with seed produced more locally.
And Clary Sage. It's decades since I've grown that. How lovely to renew an acquaintance!
Dwarf Lil' Daisy was a variant that arose from Lil' Daisy on my plot a few years ago and I'm happy it is stable after three consistent crops. It has pods like the original but on tiny 20cm tall plants and no daylength sensitivity. The name is a placeholder and I may come up with something else before sending it around.
I'm surprised that Fat Man was so late in your location. I did find it took its time go get going here but put it down to my mismanagement of transplant timing. Plenty of seed here for you to try again. I'm a big fan of the silvery pods which contrast so nicely against the dark foliage.
peppers for the circle:demre-t
tepecik yakon
sahnali
urfa
Quote from: Vetivert on November 01, 2025, 14:48:49Quote from: JanG on November 01, 2025, 07:26:23A great list,Vetivert. Thank you. I didn't know that there's a dwarf form of Lil' Daisy. That will be interesting to try. Fat Man is also an interesting one for me. I had heard good things of it and grew it this year. But for me it was just too late. I had no flower at all by late August and although it flowered eventually its few beans were much too late to produce seeds. It will be good to be able to try again with seed produced
I'm surprised that Fat Man was so late in your location. I did find it took its time go get going here but put it down to my mismanagement of transplant timing. Plenty of seed here for you to try again. I'm a big fan of the silvery pods which contrast so nicely against the dark foliage.
Great on the Dwarf Lil' Daisy. And well observed. I'm not sure that I'd have noticed a dwarf plant amongst the rest. The advantage of the name as it stands is that it gives a clear idea of its origins.
Receiving Fat Man and having another go would be great. I sowed mine on 7th May and planted out on 29th May. It could have been slightly earlier but not a lot.
In fact I have harvested about eight seeds in the end but they're not in good condition - stained brown as very late seeds often are, especially white ones.
https://www.tohumevi.com.tr/urun/demre-tatli-biber-tohumu-geleneksel?srsltid=AfmBOopOK7rPfTbi2oJxBWiOtiwF9O4O0LyvGhJtmUhbna5y3pn4OGcS
https://www.akantarim.com/urun/biber-tepecik-yakan-tohumu-10-gram
https://www.goldentarim.com/product-page/biber-aci-%C5%9Fahnal%C4%B1
https://fataliiseeds.net/product/urfa-biber/
And t a n six weeks to complement cream six weeks. Looking forward to that one Vetivert.
Thank you for a generous offer Ruud. We will have very full gardens next year.
Quote from: ruud on November 02, 2025, 13:45:09peppers for the circle:demre-t
tepecik yakon
sahnali
urfa
That's great, Ruud. And thanks for the links. Şahnalı is a new one on me. And Urfa is a great pepper. You donated it to the circle ages ago, 2020 I think, so it will be very good to have fresh seeds.
I think these are the seed circle total contributions which have been offered at various times in the last six months or so. If they're not accurate or up to date, please say. And of course, there is still time for change.
I'm sure you'll agree that once more it's a very impressive collection of amazing seeds. Thank you all very much for your commitment.
Vetivert
Tomato, S. lycopersicum
Beefsteak
Jazz
Orange Jazz
Vinson Watts
Cherry
Pinky
Primabella
Round slicer
Queen of Hearts
Dwarf Beans, P. vulgaris var. nanus
Krummschnabel
Mulldoon
Dwarf Lil' Daisy
Tan Six Weeks
Climbing Beans, P. vulgaris var. vulgaris
Fat Man
Napier-Combs Family Greasy
Runner Bean, P. coccineus
Stenner
Lettuce, L. sativa
Wiener Maidivi
Radish, R. sativus
Smooth-leaved Mooli
(appears similar to variety sold as 'China Jade' by Baker Creek)
Cress, Lepidium sativum
Wrinkled Crinkled Crumpled
Marigold, Tagetes erecta
Hot Stuff
Ornamentals
Angel's Trumpets, Mirabilis longiflora
Clary Sage, Salvia viridis
Oxford Blue
Summer Squash, C. maxima
Duobao
Garrett
Tomatoes -
Sergeant Pepper's (red/blue medium heart)
Malachite Box (green medium)
Tiny Tim - bush red cherry
Climbing french beans for drying -
Coco Bicolour
Deb's Creek
Dwarf french beans:
Merveille de Piemonte, yellow pods with purple markings
Purple Queen, purple pods
Jacob's Cattle Gold, golden yellow version for drying
Flowers:
Tithonia (Mexican sunflower)
Nicotiana mutabilis
Marshmallow
Sunflower Yellow Pygmy
Markfield Rover
Flowers
Wild sweet pea Pink Tangier ( Lathyrus Tingitanus)
Viola Brush Stokes
Ipomoea Tutu
Four o'Clock flower, Mirabilis jalapa
Marigold 'Lucy's Starburst'
Cosmos sulphureus.
Salad leaves
Land cress 'Grandpa's'
Tomato
Rose de Berne
Glacier
First in the Field
Mexican Midget
Peppermint.
Peruvianum.
Goldiana .
CFB
Poletska
Alice Whitis Pink
Croft Italian
DFB
Cupitano.
Pea
Twelve Acre
Fairbeards Pariel
Cinnamon vine
Mangle
Yellow Intermediate
Galina
Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)
Pattypan 'Golden Marbre'
Early Prolific Straightneck Squash
Winter squash
Buttercup (C.maxima)
Tps
From 'Pink Dog'
Tomato
Green Spindle
Delicate
Orange Bourgoin
Water Melon
Golden Midget
Lettuce
Stoke
CFB
Violet Podded Stringless
Dracula's Eye
Childers Cutshort
Salad leaves
Cultivated rocket
Juliev
Ornamentals
Poppy (P Somniferum): white seeds Sokol (pale flowers)
Poppy (P Somniferum): dark flowers After Midnight (dark seeds)
Tomato
Black Strawberry - pink/red stripy cherry, beautiful and shiny!
Indigo Fireball - yellow with antho top, quite big for a cherry
Mlle Foriers - beautiful pink/red with antho shoulders, med/big
Marsha's Starfighter - beautiful dark stripy antho beefsteak
Pea
Dwarf - Grey Sugar pea
I haven't opened them yet but I should have:
Naked-seed squash (C. Pepo)
Penelopa
Penelopa X Dana and Dana X Penelopa/Dana/Kakai.
Golden Flax
Grain
Amaranth (originally the rainbow mix from Real Seeds)
Ruud
CFB
Selma Zesta
Reading Purple
Mantra
Acman Ayse Sirik or Alman Ayse
Bosnian
Golden Sunshine
Peppers
Demre-t
Tepecik Yakon
Sahnali
Urfa
Brussel, sprouts
Roodnerf 2025
Long Island
Turnip
De Milan
Beetroot
Kirmizi Pancar
Chard
Multicoured
Scorzonera
Long Black
Okra
Clemsons Spineless
Lettuce
Yedikule
Salad leaves
Rocket
Ornamentals
Borage
Mayweed
Herbs
Basil
Coriander
Tomato
Royal Hillybilly
Grasa de Bihor
Creole
Abraham Lincoln
Napa Giant
La Cader
Zaitska or Zyska
Sherill
Christmas Tree
Unknown
Super Yerli Marmande
Heinz 2274
SC 2121
Jang
Broad bean
Black Isle
Peppers
Aji Ahuachapau (CAP220)
Lima Market Amarillo
Serrano
Purple Tiger
Fish
Tomatoes
Mila Orange
Moldovan Green
OSU Blue
Sunviva
Violet Noir
Lettuce
Rouge Grenoble
Valiant
Hyper Red Rumple Waved
Lollo Rossa
Brown Goldring
Peas
Clarke's Beltony Blue
Ruby Beauty
Raatviksaart Soup pea
CFB
Gialèt della Valbelluna
Papa de Rola
Paul Bunyan Giant
DFB
Resilient Cherokee Wax
Dakota Bumble
Poroto Huancabammba
Semi French bean
Ugandan Bantu
Ornamentals
Sweet pea - Matucana
Nicotiana sylvestris
White branched foxglove
Targeted patula 'Boy Spry'
Salad leaves
Doucette d'Algers
Thank you JanG , really appreciate all the time you have taken to do this. I may have some dahlia seeds too( drying nicely) I've grown dahlias to cross so hopefully no shrinking violets !
Sorry JanG,
I've completely missed messages as have had a lot going on!!
Is there still time for me to catch up and contribute?
Debs
Unknown peas ( see pic) were from the seed circle 2016
San Marzano-heirloom Italian tomatoes (renowned by chefs) were grown in the greenhouse and very productive
Gazza yellow Egg (Markfield Rover 2016 Seed Circle)
Grown in greenhouse,distinctive egg shape ,very productive, sweet tasting tomato
Viola Cornetti
Grown from seeds of the 2016 seed circle, contributed by Galina.
Poor germination so grown for seed collection.
Viola Cornetti seeds (Galina 2016)
This is a sample, despite poor germination,the plants produced a good number of pods, so plenty of beans
Hi Debs,
I had a look back at the record for the SSC 2016 and found that the description for 'Sharpe's Liberty' matches your unknown peas; the donor states they are "perfectly round with a black hilum spot".
However, what was shared as 'Sharpe's Liberty' in the circle and by the HSL is without a doubt not actually the real variety, to which the seed bears no resemblance, as evidenced by reliable descriptions:
QuoteFoliage dense, very dark blue green, not whitened, with non-characteristic leaflets in 6s and much larger, deeply clasping, sharp-tipped, stipules, finely serrate to above the middle; pods start at the 15th node, on long very heavy stalks, singly or in pairs, the longest of any described for the Ne Plus Ultra group, usually 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 inches, occasionally 3 3/4 or almost 5 inches, tending to curve slightly, but otherwise of the Ne Plus Ultra type, very dark in colour with heavy bloom; peas 5 to 7 or more, also very dark green, smooth, round and not indented, oval in vertical section and smaller than most of those in the group; seeds of medium size, dimpled to coarsely wrinked, largely cream in colour.
Peas of New York, 1928It was also included in RHS Wisley trials 1939, under '
Seeds Wrinkled':
QuoteHaulm 4 feet, dark grey green; pods mostly in pairs, pointed, straight, 4 1/2 inches long; peas large, bright dark green, of good flavour, 8 or 10 in a pod. Crop good. Ready Aug 10.
For whatever reason the HSL does not appear to make use of historical references to identify their pea varieties accurately, unfortunately I've found numerous errors and varieties be touted as something they are not, still to this day.
Of course this is absolutely no fault of your own and thank you for offering the variety, whatever it may be! A black hilum on a pale pea is uncommon. However, I just want it to be known that while it was traded as 'Sharpe's Liberty' this is a mistake and steps should be taken to prevent its further dispersal under that name. I feared it would have inevitably been 'misidentified' again, based on the past circle reference, if I didn't comment :)
Quote from: Debs on November 07, 2025, 11:51:42Sorry JanG,
I've completely missed messages as have had a lot going on!!
Is there still time for me to catch up and contribute?
Debs
Hello Debs. Thanks for your interest in joining the Seed Circle. I'm afraid it's much too late to join for this year. With the deadline being only three weeks away, the other members of the Circle will already have measured out many of their available seeds into six packets. As you can imagine, with several contributing between 20 and 30 different varieties, there are quite a lot of hours involved in making up possibly in excess of 100 little packets.
So please set your sights on next year. I hope you have a good growing year ahead on your new allotment and can build up to a good range of seeds to offer by summer next year.
Quote from: Vetivert on November 07, 2025, 15:18:15Hi Debs,
I had a look back at the record for the SSC 2016 and found that the description for 'Sharpe's Liberty' matches your unknown peas; the donor states they are "perfectly round with a black hilum spot".
However, what was shared as 'Sharpe's Liberty' in the circle and by the HSL is without a doubt not actually the real variety, to which the seed bears no resemblance, as evidenced by reliable descriptions:
QuoteFoliage dense, very dark blue green, not whitened, with non-characteristic leaflets in 6s and much larger, deeply clasping, sharp-tipped, stipules, finely serrate to above the middle; pods start at the 15th node, on long very heavy stalks, singly or in pairs, the longest of any described for the Ne Plus Ultra group, usually 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 inches, occasionally 3 3/4 or almost 5 inches, tending to curve slightly, but otherwise of the Ne Plus Ultra type, very dark in colour with heavy bloom; peas 5 to 7 or more, also very dark green, smooth, round and not indented, oval in vertical section and smaller than most of those in the group; seeds of medium size, dimpled to coarsely wrinked, largely cream in colour.
Peas of New York, 1928
It was also included in RHS Wisley trials 1939, under 'Seeds Wrinkled':
QuoteHaulm 4 feet, dark grey green; pods mostly in pairs, pointed, straight, 4 1/2 inches long; peas large, bright dark green, of good flavour, 8 or 10 in a pod. Crop good. Ready Aug 10.
For whatever reason the HSL does not appear to make use of historical references to identify their pea varieties accurately, unfortunately I've found numerous errors and varieties be touted as something they are not, still to this day.
Of course this is absolutely no fault of your own and thank you for offering the variety, whatever it may be! A black hilum on a pale pea is uncommon. However, I just want it to be known that while it was traded as 'Sharpe's Liberty' this is a mistake and steps should be taken to prevent its further dispersal under that name. I feared it would have inevitably been 'misidentified' again, based on the past circle reference, if I didn't comment :)
Thank you, Vetivert, for your continuing campaign for accuracy in nomenclature. I know you have brought the attention of HSL to naming mistakes on multiple varieties, to no avail. Given their position in the country as the leading organisation on distributing preserved seed from a small library and involving a small number of loyal volunteers, it's a great pity that they don't research the accuracy of their naming more rigorously. But great work from you. Thank you again.
I've sorted out and bagged up my seeds today and here is the final list:
Tomato -
Sgt Pepper's
Malachite Box
Black and Brown Boar
Tiny Tim
Climbing french beans -
Coco Bicolour (dry)
Dwarf french beans -
Merveille de Piemonte (pod)
Jacob's Cattle Gold (dry)
Flowers -
Canary Creeper (vine)
Ipomoea Grandpa Ott (morning glory vine)
Cerinthe
The flowers I'd planned to include didn't produce viable seed, it has been such a soggy autumn here so I've replaced with some of my favourite reliable flowers. Also the Deb's Creek bean didn't come true again, about 20% were a grey borlotti cross so I'm going to try again next year.
Preview of forthcoming attractions:
Jacob's Cattle Gold dwarf french bean description:
"Jacob's Cattle Gold Beans are a cross between Jacob's Cattle and Paint beans. These big beans are sturdy, and hold their shape with long cooking. They tend to soak up the flavors of the food they're cooked with. Great for soups, stews, and baked bean".
I like these because they are beautiful and prolific. They also dry extremely well and there are rarely any tarnished beans that have to be tossed. I direct sow them outside in late May/early June and they are ready for harvesting by mid August. Highly recommended.
Coco Bicolour climbing french bean. They are cream on one side and speckled on the other. I haven't been able to find any detailed information about their origin. Seeds originally came from Beans & Herbs. Prolific, ready to harvest from mid August and dry very well.
Merveille de Piemonte dwarf french bean:
"Mottled pod turning yellow when cooked. A meaty French bean, stringless and juicy. Piemonte is in the Alpine North of Italy".
Very tasty bean, grown mainly for their pods but can also be dried. Beautiful flavour.
Sgt Pepper's tomato description:
"Mid season, Regular leaf, Indeterminate with Antho/Pink heart shaped fruit between 6oz and 12oz (170g and 340g)
Sgt. Pepper's' is a very beautiful creation made by Jason Haynes from a cross made between 'German Red Strawberry' and 'OSU Blue' tomato. Tall growing with wispy leaves and an excellent yield of beautiful pink heart-shaped fruit with dark, antho splash on the smooth shoulder. Delicious, sweet tomato flavour, very meaty and dense flesh".
Malachite Box tomato description:
"Named after the lovely green boxes that are made from this mineral that comes from the Ural mountains and other areas. This early, light-to-olive green, medium-sized tomato has succulent bright green flesh that is very flavorful and tasty. Plants are productive even in the north, as this variety was developed at Svetlana Farm in Russia, and it has been tested in Siberia! Our grower likes to make a unique green ketchup from this variety. 70-85 days".
It was impressive to have such an early beefsteak tomato ripen so early outside, but I found the texture better for cooking than eating fresh.
Tiny Tim dwarf tomato:
"The Tiny Tim tomato originated in the USA after being developed at the University of New Hampshire in 1945. It was created by crossing the 'Red Currant' and 'Window Box' tomato varieties and was first offered to the public in 1945".
Bushy plant which grows to approx 30cms.
Black and Brown Boar tomato:
"The Black and Brown Boar tomato is a productive, indeterminate tomato variety developed by Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms, based on a mutation of the Green Zebra tomato. It produces medium-sized (3-4 oz) fruits with a unique striped appearance of reddish-brown, bronze, and green. The flavor is rich, sweet, and earthy, with a mild acidity that makes it versatile for cooking".
Very nice. It's sweet like the Green Zebra tomato and grew well for me outside. No disease issues.
Flowers
"Canary creeper, Tropaeolum peregrinum, is a pretty climber with deeply divided palm-shaped leaves and masses of yellow flowers in summer".
This is such an easy climber to grow. I direct sow seeds outside at the base of my tomato plants and let them scramble up and around. Very attractive to bees.
Morning Glory - "Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott' is an heirloom variety hailing from Bavaria. Its flowers are an intense violet-blue, with a pinkish throat and star-shaped veining, up to 7cm across".
I start seeds off in pots indoors in early May, around 4 seeds to a 9cm pot, planting outside in early June. This variety is known for doing particularly well in the UK and continues to flower throughout the afternoon.
Cerinthe - "Cerinthe major, called honeywort along with other members of its genus, is an annual species of flowering plant in the genus Cerinthe, native to the Mediterranean region".
I sow seeds indoors in winter to get an early start. They're surprisingly hardy and ready to be planted out by early April.
Lovely selection Garrett. These morning glories look like they have a tiny lamp in their centre. So pretty!
Great selection, Garrett. And lovely to have your information, personal experiences of growing the varieties and photos to illustrate. Lots to look froward to
Heritage Seed Library also offer Coco Bicolor but they don't seem to have any useful information about its origins either. I've grown it once many years ago and agree that it's rewardingly prolific. I look forward to growing it again.
It's interesting that you're contributing Sgt. Pepper's which is bred from OSU Blue as I'm sending OSU Blue so we'll have parent and child! Good to have another Brad Gates variety too in Black and Brown Boar.
I'm fascinated by Canary Creeper too. Amazing flower shape.