Saving Seed

Saving Soybean Seeds

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm awful at saving seed. I think part of it has to do with the fact that I never keep my veggie plants in the garden long enough to set seed. Space is such a hot commodity that I tend to rip things out as soon as they've bolted or finished producing in order to grow something else, like my fall veggies. Maybe one day I'll have a garden large enough where I can start my spring and fall crops in different beds. That way, it wouldn't really be an issue.

One thing I was able to save this year was my 'Envy' soybeans seeds. Hopefully, they will go on to produce healthy plants next year.

2011 Seed Order

I placed the bulk of my seed order for this year back in December and am happy to note that they've all arrived. Now I can focus on drafting my garden plan, updating my sowing dates from last year and sourcing the ingredients for my soil block mix. This year's garden will offer a good mix of new and old. I have a lot of seed left over from last year and from this inventory, I narrowed down which varieties I'll be growing again. The rest will probably be fashioned into seed bombs (I'm sure there's a vacant lot or two nearby that I could raid.)

Anyway, here are some of the new varieties I'm trying this year as well as some 2010 favorites I had to reorder because I neglected to save seed (awful I know):


Petite Gris de Renne melon - I didn't really care for the Charentais variety I grew summer but decided to give this particular French heirloom a try. The Charentais was very fragrant but I'm hoping that Petite Gris will be sweeter.

Dragon's Tongue beans - I grew these last year. They were very tasty in my opinion and had a texture that held up well when cooked.

Paris Market carrots - Our soil is so heavy that I decided to give this particular variety a try. They have a more spherical shape and I've also read that they can also be grown in pots.

Blacktail Mountain watermelon - I was eying this variety even before I had a garden! Blacktail is an early variety and supposedly does well in cooler climates.

Gold Medal tomato - Seed Savers claims that this is its best tasting bi-colored tomato.

Brandywine (Sudduth's Strain) tomato - I've heard some rather good things about this particular strain. Hopefully it lives up to its reputation!


Here are some varieties I grew last year that I will be growing again: Windsor fava beans, Green Arrow peas, various beets (including Chioggia), Argent corn, American Flag leeks and Contender beans. Argent is a white corn and one of my favorite vegetables grown last year. Sure they take up a good amount of space and are heavy feeders, but for me it's worth it as the taste of fresh corn eaten within minutes of being picked is a true summertime treat.


My main seed order this year was placed with Johnny's. In addition to the Envy soybeans, tatsoi, Imperial Star artichokes and Napoli carrots, all of which I've grown before, here are some factoids about the new varieties I'm trying:

Diamant (pickling) and Tasty Jade (Asian) cucumbers - these varieties will produce fruit even on flowers that are not pollinated. Tasty Jade is supposed to be very crispy like most other Asian varieties.

Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper - I'm looking forward to pickling the yellow, orange and red peppers (depending on when you pick them). I liked the pepperoncini I grew last year (and will grow again this year) but Hungarian Wax has thicker flesh and none of the bitterness.

Regiment spinach - I currently grow a variety called "Space". Regiment is supposed to be just as hardy but has larger leaves.

Athena muskmelon - I'm hedging my bets here. I'm growing this more common muskmelon variety just in case I don't like Petite Gris de Renne.

Sarian strawberry - Sarian is a day-neutral variety of strawberry that is easily started from seed and will produce fruit in the first year. You can grow it as an annual by transplanting the runners in the fall.

Snow Crown Cauliflower - My attempt at growing cauliflower last year proved disastrous. I'm hoping that I'll have much better luck with this very early variety (50 days to maturity).

Alcosa savoy cabbage - I will admit I've never really had an interest in growing cabbage, mainly because I've been under the impression that it can be particularly difficult to grow. Well we shall see. Hopefully I'll be able to keep the slugs and caterpillars under control.

Yellow Sunshine watermelon - A yellow flesh variety, I'm growing it just for fun. I remember being utterly fascinated by yellow-fleshed watermelon when I was a child and begging my dad to buy some. I guess that curiosity never really went away.

San Marzano tomato - I'm growing these because everyone else is. :)

I'm working on my seed-starting schedule now and will post it soon. Our first sowing dates are just weeks away! Can you believe it?

The Gift of Seeds - A Call to Action

Today, I received this very inspiring email from one of my blog readers, Dahlia:

Hi Thomas!

I've only just discovered your blog this summer, and I am really impressed by your garden.

I'm sure you've heard about the floods in Pakistan; I've been thinking about what I can do to help, but have been hesitating to send money, since it's been a little tight. But when I learned that farmland and crops have been destroyed, it occurred to me that I can help by sending seeds. I've found a British aid organization willing to distribute the seeds to needy farmers, all I have to do is collect the seeds and send them over.

I was wondering if you could spare some seeds: I have seeds to spare, but too few to make much of an impact, so I am appealing to fellow gardeners to send me their extra crop seeds. The seeds should be clearly labelled, and I will take care of placing them in little baggies (to protect them from humidity during travel) and sending them off.

I would really appreciate it if you could also spread the word.

Sincerely,

Dahlia ChanTang
www.afoodiesquest.blogspot.com

I immediately thought of the Survival Seeds that Hometown Seeds had sent to me earlier this year. Specially sealed for long-duration storage, I thought it was only fitting that they be sent to someone across the globe who truly needed them now.

I'm a true believer in the fact that even small acts of kindness can greatly change the world for the better. If you would like to contribute to this effort as well, please reach out to Dahlia via her blog.

Thanks!

Survival Seeds

Last week, Hometown Seeds offered to send me a "Survival Seeds" kit, which contains 16 varieties of open-pollinated vegetables. My initial reaction to this was - "Do I really need more seeds this year?" But as I read and thought more about it, I began to realize that unlike the other seeds I've purchased and intend to grow this year, this kit serves a different purpose.

I am a 32 year old husband and father - old enough to remember the Cold War tensions between Russia and the United States prior to 1990, and young enough (or should I say jaded enough) to be ultra-cynical about what happens on Capital Hill today. I wouldn't consider myself to be a food activist (well, maybe a passive one), but I will admit that all of the headlines of this past decade surrounding terminator genes, genetic engineering, decreasing bio-diversity and patenting life have made me a bit nervous about the security of our world's food supply. It seems that whenever human beings choose to limit the bio-diversity of our crops and animals, the more we put ourselves and our food at risk. It happened to the Irish and their potatoes; will it also happen to Monsanto's Round Up Ready soy beans?

When my survival kit arrived today, the first thing I noticed was how tightly sealed and heavy it was- like my own personal ark of veggies. It's somewhat comforting to know that these seeds will last for up to 10 years if kept frozen. Now all that's left to do is to make sure that I preserve enough of this year's harvest to stock our large pantry in case of a real emergency and learn the art of seed saving.

So what do you think? Are we really at risk for a sudden and widespread food catastrophe? Or is all of this talk about "Franken-foods" blown way out of proportion? I can't help but to think about all of those people who built nuclear bomb shelters underneath their homes during the Cold War. Were these people crazy, or just plain realistic?

Footnote: Please check out a couple of very interesting posts written today by Daphne (Daphne's Dandelions) and Kelly (How My Garden Grows) on issues related to this very subject.

My Good Fortune

Green Gal, welcome to the blog!


A few weeks ago, my blogging buddy, mac (Winnie) offered to send me some veggie seeds from her own collection. As reader of her High Desert Garden blog, I knew that she grew many interesting varieties of veggies, particularly Asian ones. I was very excited to accept her offer. What I didn't know at the time was the amount of generosity that this would involve. I came home last night to find a large package containing 35 neatly labeled yellow mini-envelopes, each containing an interesting variety of vegetable. Many of these are ones that I've considered purchasing but haven't gotten around to it. Here is a complete list of what she sent:

*Amaranth
*Anahu Tomato
Anuenue Lettuce
Bok Choy - Dwarf
*Bok Choy - Extra Dwarf
*Bok Choy - Shanghai
Carrots - Carnival Blend
*Cherokee Purple Tomato
*Chinese Kale
*Choy Sum
Couer de Pigeon Juane Tomato
Daikon Radish (Chinese)
Daikon Radish (Korean)
Dawson's Russian Oxheart Tomato
Green Grape Tomato
*Green Zebra Tomato
*Hawaiian Chili
Heading Mustard
Komatsuna
*Komohana Grape Tomato
Korean Lettuce
Leaf Mustard
Manoa Lettuce
*Napa Cabbage
Napa Cabbage - Mini
Perilla Leaf
Puakea Cauliflower
Roselle
Rosa Bianca Italian Eggplant
San Remo Paste Tomato
Sierra Gold Cantaloupe
Thai Holy Basil
Taiwanese Eggplant
Tokyo Cross Turnip
Watermelon Radish

Also, Daphne was kind enough to share with me some excess seeds that Winnie had sent to her, including Thai Watermelon, *Michihili (Chinese type) Cabbage and Black Krim Tomato.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Winnie! Words cannot adequately express my gratitude! I feel like I've hit the seed jackpot as it seems that I am now set (as far as Asian greens are concerned) for at least the next few years. I am very excited to try all of these varieties, a few of which sound winter hardy.

Finally, it would be wrong of me if I didn't offer to share my good fortune with my readers who may have an interest in growing some of these vegetables. I have placed an asterisk "*" next to the seeds I have more than enough of and would be happy to share. First come, first served. All you have to do is drop me an email.

Thanks again Winnie! :)

I Have an Addiction

To the (now) 50 followers of my blog - Thank you! I hope you all like what you've been reading!


More and more seed shelves are popping up at the supermarkets and home improvement centers these days. It seems I can't pass by one without leaving with a few packets. Of course, I always have a justification. I do need to grow herbs this summer, don't I? Though I was planning on purchasing transplants. Also, why not get some fall snow pea and carrot seeds now? I can't think of a good reason not to. Finally, I wasn't going to grow watermelons this year since very few gardeners around our parts have been able to grow them successfully. (Where are the rest of you hiding?) I'm guessing these Sugar Babies will be my best hope. Behinds, like most children, I think watermelon seeds were the first things I tried to grow in my dad's garden. There was a "Jack and the Bean Stalk" quality to them when I was growing up, something children miss out on these days with seedless watermelon from the supermarket.

Store brought seeds are instant gratification (and cheap) in my book. However, I do worry that I'm supporting global agricultural giants like Monsanto in the process. Hence, the guilt.


I'm very excited to note that I came home last night to a package of seeds from Dan, our urban Canadian veggie gardener (and brewer) extraordinaire. Inside were some Jade Cross Brussels sprouts, Red fennel and Florence fennel seeds. I am particularly curious about the Red fennel. Thanks for the seed swap, Dan! You're the best!

2010 Garden - Seeds for the Coming Year

Yes, the last of my seeds have arrived from Johnny's and Baker Creek. (I have a big smile on my face at the moment.) I love looking at the seed packs and daydreaming about all of the homegrown veggies to come. I will most likely add a few winter veggies as the fall growing season approaches, but for spring and summer, this is basically it. I would love for this list to be longer, but frankly, I think I'm at my limit:

Artichoke (Imperial Star) – S
*Arugula (Sylvetta) – F
Basil (Dolce Vita Blend) – S
Basil (Thai) – S
Bean – climbing (Asparagus bean) – S
Bean – climbing (Dragon’s Tongue) – S
*Bean – bush (Burpee’s Stringless) – S
Bean – bush (Contender) – S
Beet (Gourmet Blend) – S
Broccoli (Piracicaba) – S
Cabbage (Napa) – S
Carrot (Cosmic Purple) – S
Carrot (Scarlet Nantes) – S
Cauliflower – (Chef’s Choice Blend) – S
Celery (Tall Utah 52/70 Improved) – S
Chamomile (German) – S
Cilantro – S, F
Corn (Argent) – S
Cucumber (Tien Chin Long) - S
Cucumber (Spacemaster) - S
Fava Bean (Windsor) - S
Gourd (Edible Calabash) – S
Ground Cherry ( Strawberry Husk ) - S
*Kale (Chinese Flowering) - F
Kale (Tuscan) - S
Leek (American Flag) - S
Lettuce – Head (Marvel of the Four Seasons) - S
*Lettuce – All Lettuce Mix – S, F
*Lettuce – Gourmet Blend - S
*Lettuce (Tango) - F
*Mache (Vit) - F
Melon (Charentais) - S
Melon (Sweet Delight - Honey Dew) - S
*Minutina (Erba Stella) – F
Mustard (Mizuna) – S, F
Mystery seeds (from Kelly) – S
Nasturtium (Jewel Blend) – S
Onion (Red Amposta) – S
Pak Choi (Bonsai) – S, F
*Pak Choi (white stem) – F
Pea (Green Arrow Shelling) – S
Pea (snow pea) – S, F
Pepper (Early Jalapeno) – S
Pepper (Ancho/Poblano) – S
Pepper (Italian Pepperoncini) – S
Pepper (Thai Chili) – S
*Radish (Red Altaglobe) – S, F
*Radish (Easter Egg) – S, F
Rape (Yu Tsai Sum) – F
Scallion (conventional) – S, F
Scallion (Italian Red of Florence) – S
Soybean – green (Envy) – S
*Spinach (Space F1) – S, F
Summer Squash (Black Beauty Zucchini) – S
*Tatsoi - S, F
Tomatillo (Purple) – S
Tomato (Amish Paste) – S
Tomato (Cherokee Purple) – S
Tomato (Cour di Bue – oxheart) – S
Tomato (Green Zebra) – S
Tomato (red and yellow Brandywine) – S
Tomato (Red Siberian) – S
Tomato (Sun Gold F1) - S
*Turnip (Hakurei) – S, F
Wild Strawberry (Yellow Wonder) – S
Wild Strawberry (Red Wonder) – S

* - seeds left over from 2009
S - spring and summer planting
F - fall and winter planting

I also plan on purchasing some asparagus and rhubarb crowns, seed potatoes, plenty of herb transplants, and a few fruit trees (kumquat, mandarinquat, persimmon and a couple of fig varieties). If anyone has tips or comments on growing any of these varieties, please share!

The Gift

Last night, I came home to a find that I had received a gift in the mail from Marie at 66 Square Feet. And it was the best kind of gift - one that keeps on giving - seeds! Now I'll be able to add some Dragon's Tongue beans and Piracicaba Broccoli to my growing list for this spring. The artwork on these seeds packs are stunning and definitely worth keeping. You can check out the rest of Hudson Vally Seed Library's heirloom seed collection and art packs here. Also, if you haven't done so, please check out Marie's blog, which is all about the greener spaces and edible places of New York City. Thanks again, Marie!

A Trip to the Asian Market

As I'd mentioned in an earlier post, I made a trip to the Asian market the other night to stock up on some dried staples, sauces and produce. As I was putting my baby bananas, Asian pears, mandarin oranges and Fuyu persimmons into my shopping cart, I began feeling a bit nostalgic. It struck me that these are things that my mother and father, and even their parents, had eaten all throughout their lives. I now eat these things and there is a very good chance my son will as well. To think that something as simple as a piece of fruit can bind us to our family, culture, ancestry and future descendants in such a powerful way. Too bad you can't say the same thing about most processed foods you see at the supermarket these days. I doubt that our ancestors would have been able to identify many of these items as "food" just by reading the multisyllable ingredients printed on the label. Maybe I'll remember that the next time I scarf down a bag of Doritos.


Anyway, I also happened upon a seed rack and picked out some more Asian veggies to grow next year. Among them are long beans, an edible calabash gourd (the tender flesh is used in soups and stir-fries), Napa cabbage, Thai red chilies, an Asian cucumber variety and some scallions. They were about a dollar a pack...not bad if you ask me. Sure they contain less seeds then what you would normally get from say Johnny's but are perfect for the home gardener nonetheless. My seed collection for next year is slowing coming together. I don' t know about you but I can't wait until spring!

A Message from Seed Savers Exchange

The folks at Seed Savers Exchange noticed my post last weekend regarding their 2010 catalog and sent me an email, which I'm happy to share with all of you here:

Thomas - congratulations on your excellent blog and thank you for profiling our 2010 seed catalog. A couple comments that you may want to pass on to your readers. You do not have to be a member to purchase seeds in our catalog, which has more than 600 heirloom varieties in it. The Yearbook, which goes out to our more than 11,000 members, is used by members to "exchange seeds". In our 2009 Yearbook, 700 members listed more than 13,000 plant varieties. This is the "exchange" in Seed Savers Exchange. Thanks for your good work. For more information, your readers can go to www.seedsavers.org.

Regards,
--
John Torgrimson
Editor
Seed Savers Exchange

Even though membership is optional, I will definitely consider it and hope you all will too! I've been able to befriend some wonderful seed savers through this blog and it seems really worthwhile to become part of a large network of like-minded folks.

That Time of Year - 2010 Seed Catalogs

It's HERE! The first of many to come I hope. And this is a goodie. I love the cover. It's quite fitting since Seed Savers Exchange is well known for its selection of heirloom tomatoes. I purchased my garlic from the company/organization and was really impressed by the quality. I may order my potatoes from them as well.

For those of you who are unaware, SSE is also a network of individuals who save and exchange heirloom seeds. I'm considering becoming a member not only because I appreciate their cause but also because it's a great outlet to source unique and hard to find seed. Are any of YOU a member? And if so, do you enjoy being one?

Planning Next Year's Plenty

While running errands this past Monday, Marc and I decided to stop by Lake Street Garden Center in Salem, New Hampshire to have a look around. During my first trip this past summer, I was amazed to find a HUGE selection of flowering plants, shrubs and trees. In particular, I was surprised by their rather large display of fruiting plants - espalier apple trees, alpine strawberries, cranberries and Arctic kiwi vines to name a few. And while their huge lot is pretty much empty this time of year, their greenhouses are still packed with healthy looking holiday plants and exotics. Wandering around a plant nursery has to be one of my favorite ways to escape from the daily grind. Needless to say, we took our time.

I was hoping to find some BTK and organic slug control, but alas, they were all out of both. I did, however, pick up some seeds for next year's garden. I know it's a bit early, but once I laid my eyes on the beautiful Botanical Interests seed packets, I just couldn't resist. (Some people are addicted to shoes, I prefer seeds.) Many of these varieties are your standard heirlooms and certified organic. I think I'm off to a good start here, but I'm quite sure I'll be adding many more veggies to this list in the next few months. If there are any varieties here that you particularly love, let me know!

A Gift in the Mail - Paying It Forward

Last week, I received a very thoughtful gift in the mail from Kathie at Two Frog Home. In the package were three handmade seed packs of snow peas, calendula, and Titan sunflower (YES!), a big wild huckleberry chocolate bar (which was enthusiastically devoured) and a classic vegetable gardening book (great gardening methods are timeless). Kathie also made a donation in my name to Hanne's Dream. For those of you who've never visited Kathie's amazing blog, which chronicles her life in Montana, please do!

I accepted this gift with a promise to pay it forward to three other readers of my blog. So, PLEASE email me at agrowingtradition@yahoo.com if you'd like to receive a gift from yours truly and would be willing to pay it forward. If you're one of the first three emails I receive, you'll get a package of goodies ranging from something local, something green and something that benefits the community.

Thanks again, Kathie!

Seed Box

I love finding new uses for old items (or in this case, things in the back of the closet that have never been used at all). While boxing up some odds and ends for the big move, I found this metal lunch box in the trash pile. I thought to myself, "what a perfect place to keep seeds!" I'd like to see a mouse get through this. (Then again, I probably shouldn't underestimate a mouse.)