It's time to launch the 2026 Seed Circle! I hope last year's participants are willing, eager and able to participate again and have already got plans under way for seed crops. In England we have had some very lovely sunny mild days in the last week, enough to remind me at least what a joy tending the soil can be and to project us ahead to harvesting and then seed saving time
So many of the seeds I've been sowing are from our 2025 seed circle. Tomatoes are one of this week's drives and I'm simply making my way through our contributions:
Black & Brown Boar, Black Strawberry, Delicate, Green Spindle, Indigo Fireball, Jazz, Malachite Box, Marsha's Starfighter, Mlle Foriers, Orange Bourgoin, Orange, Jazz, Peppermint, Peruvianum, Pinky, Queen of Hearts, Rose de Berne, Sgt Pepper's, Vinson Watts
What a selection and what delights in prospect!
As the year goes on it would be very good to hear of progress and to share results and experiences. I do hope that last year's enthusiastic band will share their intention to take part and it would also be great 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. 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 - 2025 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
Please could those with powers pin this message
Yes please, with the usual proviso. It does however look that something may be happening politically regarding easier seed posting. Fingers crossed.
That's excellent news, Galina, that you are hoping and intending to take part again.
On last year's seed contributions, we were lucky to receive Mirabilis longiflora (Angels Trumpets, Four o'Clock Flower)from two participants. Thank you Markfield R and Vetivert. It was new to me so when I came to sow it yesterday I looked up information. Apparently the advice is to nick the hard seed coat first and then soak in lukewarm water.
I was wondering whether our donors - who obviously had success! - had done that, and how generally easy to germinate they are. Any other tips with that one?
I've never soaked or scarified the seed. They need light to germinate, so I press into moist compost about half-way, cover with cling film and keep at the same temp as for beans. The root comes out of the narrow end, looks a little creepy.
MR donated M. jalapa, which is a little different. But if I recall correctly they also need light to germinate.
Pretty easy and trouble-free in my experience.
Thank you, Vetivert, for drawing a distinction between Mirabilis longiflora and Mirabilis jalapa.I hadn't appreciated that we have two distinct species. I've altered the Airtable base accordingly.
Are you able to say more about their differences? Also a suggestion from either or both of you as to how you situate your plants? How much space do they require, and do you support yours? I'd be interested in any information!
I have another question. This time about the cinnamon vine. There are quite a lot of warnings online about it being potentially invasive.
So my first question is whether that's likely to be the case in an east of England climate.
Secondly as a perennial climber it presumably needs something to climb up. Would it cope with grass competition ultimately, as growing it up my veg garden fence (5' at its highest) is what I would have in mind.
Also, would it be practical and a good idea to keep it in a pot for a year or two?
No, it would outgrow a pot rather quickly. It is perennial, but dies back with a few aerial roots as absolute insurance. It is quite tameable in a greenhouse or poly, but there is no need for that, the space can go to plants that need it. A 5ft fence to scramble up is quite suitable.
I would start the little aerial roots indoors in a pot and the resulting plants will grow away strongly outside after frost. The flowers smell very pleasant, before the little aerial tubers develop. These tubers can drop rather easily and if you don't pick them up, they can sprout and you could end up with far more plants than you wanted. But they are easy to recognise and weed. The adult plant will resprout from the ground, if you leave the storage tubers in the ground. These tubers will get bigger in their second and further years. Both the flavour of the aerial tubers and the storage tubers is pleasant starchy, chestnutty after a short boil. No peeling needed, just wash and steam or boil.
I had a report of no germination of tomato Green Spindle. I hope this was a one off and not a bad batch to the seed circle generally. Has anybody else started these this year? After hearing about this, I will obviously now also start some here with my next batch of tomatoes, although I hadn't originally planned on growing them this year. Too many new exciting tommies to try.
Comments please if you have started them.
@Galina, I have one seedling of Green Spindle (out of 3 or 4 seeds).
@Jan, you can count me in for the seed circle 2026.
Thank you Juliev, not exactly wonderful, but at least something.
Quote from: galina on March 28, 2026, 14:39:51No, it would outgrow a pot rather quickly. It is perennial, but dies back with a few aerial roots as absolute insurance. It is quite tameable in a greenhouse or poly, but there is no need for that, the space can go to plants that need it. A 5ft fence to scramble up is quite suitable.
I would start the little aerial roots indoors in a pot and the resulting plants will grow away strongly outside after frost. The flowers smell very pleasant, before the little aerial tubers develop. These tubers can drop rather easily and if you don't pick them up, they can sprout and you could end up with far more plants than you wanted. But they are easy to recognise and weed. The adult plant will resprout from the ground, if you leave the storage tubers in the ground. These tubers will get bigger in their second and further years. Both the flavour of the aerial tubers and the storage tubers is pleasant starchy, chestnutty after a short boil. No peeling needed, just wash and steam or boil.
Thanks, Galina for that very detailed and helpful account.
Quote from: juliev on March 29, 2026, 07:28:28@Galina, I have one seedling of Green Spindle (out of 3 or 4 seeds).
@Jan, you can count me in for the seed circle 2026.
Delighted to count you in, juliev. Three have declared now, but it's early days!
Four O'Clock flower , I did the same as Vetivert and agree a little creepy for something that looks so refined when flowering . If all goes well I hope to be able to contribute to the circle. Thinking positive!!
I have just transplanted the strongest and bonniest little pea plants. Unusually dark foliage too. Thank you for Suttons Phenomenon. As we are still in the grips of this year's very hard winter, each pea has a cut off plastic bottle on top to protect it for a little while. Thank you Markfield Rover.
Quote from: markfield rover on March 31, 2026, 14:39:35Four O'Clock flower , I did the same as Vetivert and agree a little creepy for something that looks so refined when flowering . If all goes well I hope to be able to contribute to the circle. Thinking positive!!
Great to hear, MR. I'm sure all will go well but small contributions are perfectly acceptable. The bar has been set rather high recently but it feels important to emphasise that all manner of contributions are good, as long as collected with care, kept true to type and accurately named. I know you know all this, MR, but just running through it in case anyone else is wondering about participating.
Garlic chives. Mine are now, iirr, in their third year, originally from Juliev. A lovely big clump. What really surprised me this year is how flat and wide the leaves are. Maybe that chicken manure really brought them on? Not far short of the width of leek leaves, but much softer than leeks. Love them! Another plant I would have never grown, had it not been for the circle seeds. :icon_cheers:
Interesting. I already had a healthy patch of garlic chives so I didn't grow Juliev's. Mine are flat but certainly not the width of leek leaves.
I'm wondering whether it is the chicken manure or whether it's a large leaved strain. Are your originals particularly wide leaved, Juliev?
I should probably sort mine out. They are not in a fertile spot so they are nowhere near as wide as leek leaves, unfortunately. I'm really pleased they are doing doing so well for you Galina! (add to list: dig up and give garlic chives some TLC...)
Yes I can well imagine that they can get crowded in time. Super addition to the garden and kitchen. They weren't as lush last year here either.
Didn't know I would be sowing those this morning 😂
Jan count me in for the seedcircle.Did you got some germination from the old seeds,i do.Old seeds germinate quiet slow took some time to get result.
Can I join too ?
I am growing salmon flowered mangetout and black seeded simpsons lettuce and few other peas only if they go into the ground in the next week
growing normal tomatoes like yellow pearand pricipe borghese and marmande, a a chilli and pepper maconi. Indian climbing bean showing up and cobra beans , as I managed to rot rest of bean varieties in the recent cold spells
Quote from: ruud on April 15, 2026, 15:24:08Jan count me in for the seedcircle.Did you got some germination from the old seeds,i do.Old seeds germinate quiet slow took some time to get result.
Very pleased to have you on board, Ruud.
I'd be interested to know what success others have had with your older seeds. Off the top of my head I've had germination from Dino melon and Ince Kabuk tomato. Squash I'm just trying now in damp kitchen towels. I didn't have any success from pepper seeds, but they're rather short-lived of course. It's been an interesting experiment.
Quote from: Elfeda on April 15, 2026, 16:09:13Can I join too ?
I am growing salmon flowered mangetout and black seeded simpsons lettuce and few other peas only if they go into the ground in the next week
growing normal tomatoes like yellow pearand pricipe borghese and marmande, a a chilli and pepper maconi. Indian climbing bean showing up and cobra beans , as I managed to rot rest of bean varieties in the recent cold spells
You'd be very welcome, elfeda. Do keep us posted as to how you're growing goes. Do you have an allotment or grow in your garden? If you can take some photos and share them that would be great.
I'd like to join again, please. I've sown my peppers,tomatoes and flowers already and happy with them. Waiting until May to start the squash and beans. Still making my final decision on which ones to grow this year.
On the subject of the old seeds, I tried twice with the peppers but didn't get a single seed to germinate. Must've been too old. Hopefully I'll have more luck with the winter squash.
Good to hear,,Garrett, that your season is well under way and you'll be up for the circle.
Fingers crossed for some germination from the older squash seeds. I had the same as you with the pepper seeds; I suppose they were always going to be the least likely.
Quote from: ruud on April 15, 2026, 15:24:08Did you got some germination from the old seeds,i do.Old seeds germinate quiet slow took some time to get result.
We have Noir de Carmes, Dino, Retato and hopefully (only one very late seed) Iroquoise melons. :icon_cheers:
if you are succesfull in getting fresh seeds thst would be great.
Please count me in! :drunken_smilie:
Hi,
Please count me in for this growing year
Debs :icon_flower:
Hi Debs. We would be very pleased to have you in the circle.
As a new member, please could you say a bit about what you're growing and what you would hope to contribute?
I believe you had a new plot a year or so ago. How has that been going?
Hi JanG,
*Pea Blauschokker (purple podded) recently planted out in my allotment
*Climbing French bean 'Viola Cornetti'
received from Galina in the seed circle 2016 (grown & seed collected last year)
*Tomato 'Gazzi yellow egg' ( grown and seed collected last year) received from Markfield Rover in the seed circle 2016
Also, (if anyone is interested), I'll put in the pea from 2016 which was believed to be 'sharpe's express'
Debs
Thanks Debs for the detail. I hope your growing goes well this season. How is it going with your allotment? Is it hard work to pull it round or was it in quite good condition when you took it over?
We look forward to having you in the circle.
So, I've had the plot since end Jan 2025. It was overgrown, some of it covered in black plastic, and some parts (walkways?) were carpeted 😣
I initially cleared sections, sowed seed, entered the annual allotment show for fun and received 3 1st placings for potatoes, home-made tomato chutney and sweetcorn ( the judge said it was the best he'd ever seen at the show!)
I've pruned a large overgrown apple tree which has responded well so far (🙏), tripped into a small very overgrown pond which I hadn't seen, but which now is cleared and has frogs and a newt ( hopefully more)
The soil is friable and seems really good, but has mares tail which I'm slowly digging out to reduce it
I picked the plot ( despite it being overgrown), as it has a greenhouse, potting shed and apple tree! Once I'd begun clearing, I found gooseberries and raspberries and other plants, which was fantastic
There's still lots to do, but I love it and go as often as work & life allows
It's a great spot with a resident pheasant, bird song and other wildlife (some not so welcome!)
It's my little piece of heaven 😊
Quote from: Debs on April 28, 2026, 17:01:48*Tomato 'Gazzi yellow egg' ( grown and seed collected last year) received from Markfield Rover in the seed circle 2016
wow, I too put these gazi-yellow-egg seeds into chitting after 10 years, they seems not sprouting yet. good to know someone got success already.
and all oea seeds from him also into ground , if any of them come up, thinking of saving the mix in his name :)
Quote from: Debs on April 29, 2026, 13:47:02So, I've had the plot since end Jan 2025. It was overgrown, some of it covered in black plastic, and some parts (walkways?) were carpeted 😣
I initially cleared sections, sowed seed, entered the annual allotment show for fun and received 3 1st placings for potatoes, home-made tomato chutney and sweetcorn ( the judge said it was the best he'd ever seen at the show!)
I've pruned a large overgrown apple tree which has responded well so far (🙏), tripped into a small very overgrown pond which I hadn't seen, but which now is cleared and has frogs and a newt ( hopefully more)
The soil is friable and seems really good, but has mares tail which I'm slowly digging out to reduce it
I picked the plot ( despite it being overgrown), as it has a greenhouse, potting shed and apple tree! Once I'd begun clearing, I found gooseberries and raspberries and other plants, which was fantastic
There's still lots to do, but I love it and go as often as work & life allows
It's a great spot with a resident pheasant, bird song and other wildlife (some not so welcome!)
It's my little piece of heaven 😊
That sounds like a great start, Debs. Fancy growing well enough to win prizes in your first year! And it sounds like a gift of a site. Well chosen!
Ruud, you asked a little while ago about how any seed circle members got on with your the older seeds you sent. I ended up with quite a lot as I had a go with any that were left when other members had had the ones they wanted. So these are the ones which have successfully germinated for me.
Pepper - Explosive Ember
Tomato - Ince Kabuk
Bean - Blue Victor
Melon - Dino
Squash - Butterkin, Muskaat, Jack-Be-Little, Gelber Englischer Custard, Strie Melange
I started all the seeds I had on damp kitchen paper in a plastic box in a warm place, and inspected them everyday to see what had germinated. The squash were the ones with the greatest success, the last two being pattypan type, but any seed springing into life is a happy thing!
Thank you for sending these and for caring enough to want to save them.
Unfortunately none of the c maxima older seeds made it here, which is a pity. But thank you for the try Ruud.
I also have bad news about the old seeds. I set everything I received to chit in damp kitchen roll in the propagator, but I didn't have any luck. Nothing showed signs of germination and eventually all rotted. Sorry I didn't get any results.
On the positive, I have a provisional list for this year:
Sweet pepper Lipstick
Tomato De Barao Black
Tomato India Stripe
Tomato Yellow Clementine
Dwarf tomato Whippersnapper
Dwarf tomato Velvet Night
Dwarf french bean Deuil Fin Précoce
I'm sure there will be other things, but these are the ones I'm most confident are growing well and will provide sufficient seed for sharing. There are other edibles I'll add if they're successful, plus some flowers.
It has been a challenging year so far with the weather, but at least everything is planted out now and growing on.
I'm sorry you didn't have more success either Ruud's older seeds, Garrett. But it's great to have your list of hopefuls for the seed circle.
I haven't got a list yet but, like you, hoping to contribute a pepper or two. I grow peppers in soil in my polytunnel and then the only way to be sure of true seed is to bag flowers. But early on, while they're still growing in pots, I've been able to put a couple of varieties, just before the flowers open, on window sills in separate rooms. One of these is Champion (CAP 334). I had 2019 seed from the South Lincs Chilli Boys who had just disbanded. This was the last seed and two germinated. It's an interestingly bell shaped mild pepper and I'm hoping that the developing fruit I now have will produce enough good seed to share. The photo is of an unripe pepper from last time I grew it
IMG_9101.jpeg
https://awaytogarden.com/a-spectrum-of-colorful-podded-peas-with-peace-seedlings/
And interesting artice featuring a number of the peas that have been shared in this seed circle.
Thank you for the Mogette beans. Had four pods last night, young they are an excellent green bean and they are really early too.
Quote from: galina on June 30, 2026, 19:15:09Thank you for the Mogette beans. Had four pods last night, young they are an excellent green bean and they are really early too.
Interesting. I grew them last year but didn't try them as a green bean as I had them firmly in mind as a dried variety.
I guess many beans are good green if picked young.
That's certainly early. My only pickings so far are from in my polytunnel. I picked six very young beans of the commercial variety Cupidon.
For earliness I'm delighted with both of the purple fruited peppers contributed by juliev, Buena Mulata, a medium hot chilli and Marconi Purple, a sweet one.
Both seem very early and prolific
This 2.jpegThis.jpeg :toothy10:
Wow, my peppers are biding their time and two early pods succumbed to slugs that made holes, then the weather shrivelled them to a crisp. This is great Jang. I know you started a bit earlier than I did, because you have additional lights. But even so. Congratulations. Super photo.
So we have our first flop this year. I had bought seeds for a nice Polish courgette Zloty Cepelin and had a couple of issues with germination, but in the end one plant grew nicely. https://seemnemaailm.com/en/courgette-zloty-cepelin.html
As you can see from the photo, an attractive yellow courgette. I isolated and handpollinated the first female fruit. Except that what is actually growing is a very pale green almost white courgette. So that will be a no then, unfortunately.
I have also handpollinated a Striato D'Italia, but we had that a couple of times already, and it isn't such an interesting variety in the first place. But let me know if you are interested.
Had a major pea grow out this year and with the heat they are now rapidly coming to their natural end of cropping period. We have Purple Podded from Heritage Seed Library, which must be the earliest and highest yielding of all the purple shelling peas, Kent Blue the mangetout with the intensively blue coloured flowers, Swedish Yellow which was once shared in the very early days of this seed circle from Goodlife and there will probably be a couple more for the seed circle. Maybe Visionary with its very unusual flower colour, named by Silverleaf from a seedbank 'liberation' with dark royal purple flowers. A real front garden pea.
Other circle candidates to follow. Maybe lettuce Cressonette Maroccaine if the slugs leave them alone. We will see what else works out in the end. Hope everybody else has managed to get their plants through the heat wave ok. Here watering was a proper chore and we had a few casualties regardless. Dino melon among them unfortunately.
It's great to have some varieties already well under way for seed producing and contributing to the circle. And I continue to admire the way you successfully hand-pollinate cucurbits for true seed, Galina. Commiserations on Zloty Cepelin not being true to variety from your bought seed.
I like Striato d'Italia. It's good to have what I think of as a classic dark green, striped courgette.I'm growing eight different varieties of courgette this year and six of them are producing 'white' courgettes. My seed of Alberello Genovese and Hungarian zucchini, which I thought I had isolated, is variable in what it produces, so presumably not successfully isolated after all. And this year, nearly all is white.
I haven't got as far as deciding what to contribute to the seed circle. But one strong possibility that I'm fascinated by is from Ruud's older seeds, so I'm particularly pleased to have 'saved' it. It's Ince Kabuk tomato. The name is Turkish for thin skin but I can't find out any more about it. It's not ripe yet but I'm intrigued by the way it's growing. The photo doesn't quite capture it but the trusses are large with spread out elongated fruit. The photo is just one section of a single, branching truss. I'm looking forward to finding out what they're like when ripe.
This.jpeg
I have the first of Mr Hongs Vietnamese Mustard seeds in !
Hopefully Huacatay and Superior Licorice Mint to follow .
How exciting! Jan, I can't believe you already have chillies and peppers!
Seeds have started coming in here too.
Dark purple broad bean Reina Mora, only variety grown at home.
Mangetout Frieda Welten. I had to resow several times and fight mice and pigeons but I should have enough seeds for the circle (still a few pods on the plants). Unfortunately, it's the only pea variety I'll be able to contribute. Broad beans and peas have been a struggle. I have enough seeds to start again next year but it's frustrating...
On the other hand, the direct-sown squashes are loving life! I need to get a hand-pollinating list ready as some have started flowering already.
Quote from: markfield rover on July 02, 2026, 10:19:22Hopefully Huacatay and Superior Licorice Mint to follow .
Great names but could you elaborate a little! 🙏
Quote from: juliev on July 02, 2026, 13:29:17How exciting! Jan, I can't believe you already have chillies and peppers!
Seeds have started coming in here too.
Dark purple broad bean Reina Mora, only variety grown at home.
Mangetout Frieda Welten. I had to resow several times and fight mice and pigeons but I should have enough seeds for the circle (still a few pods on the plants). Unfortunately, it's the only pea variety I'll be able to contribute. Broad beans and peas have been a struggle. I have enough seeds to start again next year but it's frustrating...
On the other hand, the direct-sown squashes are loving life! I need to get a hand-pollinating list ready as some have started flowering already.
A dark purple broad bean sounds wonderful.I assume that's bean rather than pod. (Has there ever been a coloured pod in broad bean?)
Commiserations over your mice and pigeon battles. I have big problems with pigeons on peas too. I've found the only way to keep them off is to cover the whole lot with debris netting. Fortunately someone gave me a lot of imperfect netting from a building site and it works for that. The downside is that you have to more or less crawl underneath to pick and it's more difficult to see what's going on. In the next day or so, I'll see what dried seeds I've got and can offer.
My pigeon defences!
Mr Hong's Vietnamese mustard Early, HSL tasty leaf grows well outside with a large leaf . Huacatay -Black Mint , Real Seeds , looks like a French marigold having a strong flavour certainly puts hairs on one's chest . Superior Korean Mint ( liquorice mint)Real Seeds , great flavour , sweet liquorice and lifts a salad no end will definitely grow again!
yes, dark beans when dry for Reina Mora. There are some dark pods in french beans, runners and peas. Favas have the genetic variation to create dark flowers and seeds, surely a dark pod is also a possibility?
I need to cover the whole garden in fine netting. They have also discovered they can eat soft fruit through enviromesh... I need a giant cage!
Markfield Rover, I've never grown mint from seed but I'm looking forward to having a go.
Juliev , luckily not a true mint !
Quote from: juliev on July 04, 2026, 12:08:41yes, dark beans when dry for Reina Mora. There are some dark pods in french beans, runners and peas. Favas have the genetic variation to create dark flowers and seeds, surely a dark pod is also a possibility?
I need to cover the whole garden in fine netting. They have also discovered they can eat soft fruit through enviromesh... I need a giant cage!
Yes, it's interesting that fava beans, as far as we know, aren't capable of producing a different coloured pod.
It sounds as though your pigeons are even more voracious than ours. That's quite a challenge. ☹️☹️ For soft fruit in my garden it's blackbirds I think who take redcurrants etc. but they aren't too persistent luckily.
Great to hear everyone's. Champion pepper is my favourite. It tastes mild to medium and meaty. I have been growing several types to find this back through. Seeds would be lovely.
My only Princpe Borghese have green tomatoes. Beans Indian,only 2 plants survived and one started flowing by mid June this time. I ask my husband to share pics ( am on holiday). Also French bean python growing prolific. mangatouts we had few. Not successful for seed saving though. I was given Turkish cucumbers plants which are producing too. Thinking of asking my husband to mark one hand pollinated fruit if it taste good( he has been eating since last week)
Picked my Lipstick sweet pepper. Hopefully there's enough seed in one, but I've already bagged another just in case. Sown in late January, planted outside in late May.
Looks fab Garrett. Fingers crossed for a lot of seed.
I have also bagged a Taltos pepper from Hungary, but it is only just flowering. Have several more plants, but none are as far ahead as yours due to starting later. https://exotic-seeds.com/hu/home/bell-pepper-seeds-shaman-taltos.html
After several aborted fruit, one Retata melon is finally growing. As unfortunately the Dino melon did not make it, the Retata melon is the only one growing in the garden (our one neighbour does not grow any melons) so fingers crossed this one could make the seed circle from Ruud's older seed.
Unfortunately with the Whangaparoa Crown which I tried to handpollinate this morning I encountered a problem: As I prepared the male flower, a bee flew right inside the female flower, so that one would likely not be pure breeding and I had to abandon it. Waiting for the next flowers, looks likely in two days.
Tomorrow I am trying to handpollinate the NZ Blue squash. Hope for better luck and I won't open the female flower before preparing the male! Have learned my lesson.
The Striato d'Italia that I handpollinated has grown into a marrow and the plant has slowed down and is not producing more fruit. Not an issue, we have several more plants that keep us more than supplied with courgettes.
Still harvesting peas, but most plants are getting like straw now. Doug Bray of Grimsby is still going strong however (planned for the circle), Mr Bound's bean pea kept going too, well into yet another heat wave and Ruby Beauty and Spring Blush are still supplying snap and mangetout peas right now and hopefully for a little longer.
Great news, elfeda, Garrett and Galina. It's wonderful to hear these success stories - as well, inevitably, as occasional disappointments - as the season progresses. I've had a very busy week or so preparing for a big family occasion, but very much looking forward to seeing what the garden has got up to while my attention has been elsewhere.
It's remarkable to me that you already have peppers ripening out of doors, Garrett. I guess this summer's temperatures at least have that advantage. But the drought, which is now a very significant factor, is making growing quite a challenge for most of us I imagine.
Peas have been difficult again this year ,French beans look good and Maureen the lettuce is in isolation 🤞. I am growing tomatoes from nrtomatoseed , and being happy go lucky I bought a pack of 'Lucky Dip'too. One of the first plants to ripen was from this selection, it looks like Brad's Atomic Grape but can't be sure , it tastes wonderful, so if anyone would like me to add this unnamed beauty I will do so ,clearly labelled.
I also have seed from a white/maroon Hibiscus if desired.
Quite impressed with Tepecik Yakan (I have probably misspelled this chili pepper), dozens of little hot chilis sticking up, each one just the right size for a meal. And so early too.
Also Yedicule lettuce. It is only now starting to stretch, this one lasts well into summer. Thank you for some heat wave proof lettuce.
Yes, I agree. Yedikule has lasted well for me too and Tepecik Yakan is very productive. Ruud first donated it in 2023 and I grew it in 2024 and 2025 and still have many dried peppers.
IMG_7625.jpegIMG_7769.jpeg
I wonder how can I add picture
Here is dalichos beans 2 survived plants. This is first year i could grow them this healthy 😂
I'm delighted with many of the considerable collection of tomatoes contributed to the seed circle for growing this season. I love taking photos of produce so thought I'd share a few of the varieties I'm enjoying so much.
Thank you,Garrett, for Sgt Pepper's, Malachite Box and Black & Brown BoarThis.jpegThis.jpegThis.jpeg
From juliev, I'm enjoying Marsha's Starfighter (which I haven't got a photo of yet) Indigo Fireball and Mlle Forriers (which I've misnamed on the photo!) This.jpegThis.jpeg
From Markfield Rover, I'm finding Goldiana is very productive and tasty. I'm also growing Peppermint which might not be the right colour. Is this how it was for you, MR?
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Orange Bourgoin is producing beautifully as are Napa Giant, Sherill, Jazz, Orange Jazz, Pinky, Queen of Hearts and Vinson Watts thanks to Galina, Ruud and Vetivert. More photos to come.
Do comment if you've been growing some of the same varieties or on others. We had so many contributions that I've had to leave some out this year but hope to catch up with the rest next season. What an amazing selection!
I'll check on Peppermint. Meanwhile tomatoes Father Frost and Honey Bubbles are collected , the latter living up to its name !
Quote from: markfield rover on July 29, 2026, 11:04:09I'll check on Peppermint. Meanwhile tomatoes Father Frost and Honey Bubbles are collected , the latter living up to its name !
Honey Bubbles is a wonderful name. Are they tiny.
You're splendidly ahead with your seeds saving.i must get into gear on that.
Honey Bubbles are tiny and very sweet in a good way. I am finding this year that some plants think it's already September, I have DFB Hildago which really did well CFB Earlipol so so but enough seed I think and micro dwarf tomato Orange Hat.
I know what you mean about plants thinking it's September. I harvested my first dried bean pods yesterday, from Mulldoon contributed by Vetivert. It seems very early to me to be collecting bean seed just about within July.
Here too, the first pods of Sanguino, fully dried. A very unusual year. Thanks for tomato First in the Field, standing up to the heat better than most.
A few photos of some of the things I hope to contribute. The squashes shown are handpollinated and growing.
First two are Old Timey Cornfield Pumpkin from George McLaughlin via Vetivert who kindly shared her packet with me, a cucurbita moschata with superior storing properties, not just into winter but still storing when the new plants are growing in spring. The last photo is showing the 3 from last year which shortly afterwards turned fully yellow beige as their storage colour.
The next two are cucurbita maxima. New Zealand Blue and Whangaparaoa Crown storage pumpkin. 'Whanga' does indeed store very well. NZ Blue is new to me this year.
Courgette Striato d'Italia. The handpollinated marrow for seed and a nice sized one for picking.
Amaranth Roter Meier. My seed came from seedsaver Peter Szekeres, but it is also available commercially from several sources. Grows quite fast to two foot plus and makes a tasty substitute for spinach. The seeds are nice to use on breakfast cereal etc too.
https://www.tanjasgarten.at/2018/02/06/60-gem%C3%BCsesorten-in-60-tagen-roter-amarant/
A very early bean Stangenbohne Simmen. My seed was from Mr Yeoman's collection. It is also kept in the Swiss Heritage Seed Library equivalent, called Pro Specie Rara. Young stringless, but does develop strings eventually. This was the earliest of the green beans this year. As the pods get older, the reddish hue intensifies. The second photo shows younger pods which are pale green, quite wide and long.
Quote from: galina on August 04, 2026, 17:01:34A few photos of some of the things I hope to contribute. The squashes shown are handpollinated and growing.
First two are Old Timey Cornfield Pumpkin from George McLaughlin via Vetivert who kindly shared her packet with me, a cucurbita moschata with superior storing properties, not just into winter but still storing when the new plants are growing in spring. The last photo is showing the 3 from last year which shortly afterwards turned fully yellow beige as their storage colour.
Brilliant to have the prospect of seed for this variety, Galina. I can vouch for the fact that it has prodigious storage capabilities as I still have one in store from last year's growing. I was concerned that the variety might fade out of existence in Europe as I'd been unable to save seed and didn't know whether Vetivert had. It seems unlikely that George McLaughlin has distributed the seed to anyone else outside US.
I, for one, am very grateful for your prowess in hand-pollinating squash and courgette plants, Galina. The others you're developing are very welcome too, Whangaparaoa Crown for its name alone and the courgette for its appealing dark, striped skin, a nice change from the number of white skinned courgettes I've been growing this year.
Quote from: galina on August 04, 2026, 17:57:17A very early bean Stangenbohne Simmen. My seed was from Mr Yeoman's collection. It is also kept in the Swiss Heritage Seed Library equivalent, called Pro Specie Rara. Young stringless, but does develop strings eventually. This was the earliest of the green beans this year. As the pods get older, the reddish hue intensifies. The second photo shows younger pods which are pale green, quite wide and long.
Another variety to look forward to. Such an appealing range of colours.
On developing colours I've been intrigued by juliev's Marconi Purple sweet pepper. If you haven't grown it this season, I encourage you to next year. It's a large tapered sweet pepper,very prolific, which quickly turns intense purple. I thought that was the fully ripe form and I think it is ripe at that stage. But I left one or two on the plant for longer and they turned bright red. It's very appealing to have several peppers of both colours on the plant at once. Definitely a special variety. The colour on the plant photo doesn't do justice to the colour. The second photo shows it more as it is.
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Definitely looking forward to growing this. But I had several peppers this year I had to seed renew, so unfortunately they got delayed. The colours are very striking, especially that dark purple before it finally reaches the red.
Also hoping for seeds from Striped Nigerian Aubergine. Very early and flowering white. The fruits are egg shaped and sized and the striping is more pronounced on younger fruits.
Another bean for the circle is Neckargold. You would not believe that we have been picking this wigwam for our dinners for over a week already. Very heavy bearing golden colour commercial pencil podded bean. Neckar is a river in Germany. Had to reinforce the wigwam too.
And a third bean. This one from Dutch seed saver Jaap Vlaming. Musje Eikes, which apparently mean sparrow's egg. No! that can't be right said another Dutchman, it is Musseneitjes for sparrow's egg. Ok, but I still have the original seed envelope with that spelling. Then a third Dutch seedsaver helpfully came along and insisted it is the wrong bean, because the seed does not resemble a sparrow's egg and it must have been misnamed altogether. Well there is nothing worse than a bean with a doubtful history, especially such a really good bean which is thriving in this heat. I have also grown this bean several times in England and it liked cooler, damper summers just the same. So I can happily recommend it as a good bean for the circle, never mind its doubtful naming and history.
Great contributions, Galina. And wonderful to have the photos and the full histories, including the confusing ones!
Quote from: galina on August 06, 2026, 18:55:24And a third bean. This one from Dutch seed saver Jaap Vlaming. Musje Eikes, which apparently mean sparrow's egg. No! that can't be right said another Dutchman, it is Musseneitjes for sparrow's egg. Ok, but I still have the original seed envelope with that spelling. Then a third Dutch seedsaver helpfully came along and insisted it is the wrong bean, because the seed does not resemble a sparrow's egg and it must have been misnamed altogether. Well there is nothing worse than a bean with a doubtful history, especially such a really good bean which is thriving in this heat. I have also grown this bean several times in England and it liked cooler, damper summers just the same. So I can happily recommend it as a good bean for the circle, never mind its doubtful naming and history.
Do they look like these? https://winkel.detuinenvanweldadigheid.nl/products/stamdroogboon-musseneitjes
Quote from: galina on August 04, 2026, 17:01:34A few photos of some of the things I hope to contribute. The squashes shown are handpollinated and growing.
First two are Old Timey Cornfield Pumpkin from George McLaughlin via Vetivert who kindly shared her packet with me, a cucurbita moschata with superior storing properties, not just into winter but still storing when the new plants are growing in spring. The last photo is showing the 3 from last year which shortly afterwards turned fully yellow beige as their storage colour.
Wonderful! so glad you have had success with these :icon_cheers:
Another seed circle tomato report. I happen by. Hance to be growing several varieties with large fruit this year. But so far Vetivert 's Jazz has carried the record for the very largest. I've never seen a tomato as large by quite a long way!
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Just over two years ago I was generously sent several varieties of tomato seed by Jeannine who lives in Canada and who used to be a very active member of A4A and contributor to seed parcels. I donated a couple of varieties last year which I'd grown from her seed and this year hope to contribute three more. At that time she was interested in varieties with large or unusually shaped fruit.
I'd very much like her varieties to be grown on in Europe as I know this is what she would want. This year I'm saving seed of Buratino, Mushroom Basket and Vintage Wine to put in the seed circle.
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Malachite Box is a great tomato.I have been de- seeding Melon Liqueur a tomato that thinks it's a mango . Flavour wise this season Honey Bubbles is joyous .
Is it me or is this page covered in chicken fillets ?