Right now, the blog world is filled with stories of seed swapping adventures. I have been in heaven reading them and seeing all the tantalizing photos. I personally love getting packages and envelopes in the mail, but I also love seeing *pictures* of packages and envelopes that other people get in the mail! Especially when they're filled with seeds.
See these drawers? One of them holds my secret seed stash:
I'm probably breaking every seed-storing rule in the book by keeping them in here:
When my friend, Marcee, came to visit me in January, we spent some time looking through pretty seed catalogs and talking about what we wanted to grow in our gardens this year. Now, while I didn't have any of my own, personally saved seeds to share, this didn't prevent me from sharing some of my pre-packaged seeds with her:
She chose a few that she thought she might like to plant and I packaged them up. I like the thought that, even though we're on opposite sides of the country, we'll be planting some of the same seeds:
Marcee then participated in our "swap" by sending me a lovely package of Zinnia seeds for my birthday. I can't wait to plant these!!:
We fell in love with Zinnias last summer when we came upon a small farm by the road:
A tremendous thing about the blogging world is the way people share information and tips. A wonderful blog that I am enjoying and learning a lot from, Chiot's Run, recently blogged about WinterSown. By simply sending a self-addressed stamped envelope with your choices (from a list they have posted), this seed sharing site will send you a selection of trial-size heirloom tomato seeds for FREE. Of course I jumped right on this:
When I received my envelope, I even received a personal note along with tips on saving my own tomato seeds in the future:
I was so excited when my envelope arrived! This is what was inside:
Ten varieties...:
of heirloom tomatoes...:
some of which I have never even heard of before:
...and they even threw in a small package of carrot seed just for fun:
Maybe next year I will have my own homegrown seeds to swap, but I think I did ok this year for a first-timer.
Wow! What an amazingly generous offer and a fantastic selection! I think the most interesting of all the ones they sent you is the one called "Egg Yolk Tomato". You definitely have to update after you harvest some tomatoes this summer and let us know how they turn out!
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI do not see any Peanut seeds there. Are you not going to grow any Peanuts? What's up with that? Anyhow, the goatmother says to tell you that the San Marzano is an awesome tomato. It grew tremendously in CA for her, but alas, we are lucky to get them ripe here unless they are in pots on the deck on the West side of the house. Just not enough heat.
ReplyDeleteI agree, San Marzano is a great plum tomato, and Roma is pretty good too. I've grown lots of both, using them for canning, freezing and dried.
ReplyDeleteHave fun! Looks like you'll have lots to keep you busy in a garden this year.
I need to get my seeds started! The goats are taking all my time and the garden is falling behind. I hope next week will be less hectic as we all adjust more.
ReplyDeleteYou did GREAT! Thanks for the tip and the link for those tomato seeds. I must try growing that Greek one Thessoliniki! I am Greek and I love big red tomatoes with fabulous flavor. Gotta have it! Thanks so much. Great post. Just what I needed to read today.♥
ReplyDeletePS. you will love harvesting your zinnias. They are beautiful and prolific.
Alas! I went to explore the WinterSown site and found that the Greek tomato, Thessaloniki, is not included on their available list. I may still ask for it and see what they send me. If you grow those this summer, please save me some of your homegrown seeds. I will send you some seeds of whatever I have that interests you.
ReplyDeleteI dig Chiot's run too..they do some great stuff over there.
ReplyDeleteI like th enote on your zinnia seeds...so cute! BFF! Cool!
Why does it not surprise me that I got almost all the same tomato choices that you did. One that I did not get was the egg yolk one....I dunno...egg yolk tomatoes...just seemed to be an odd combination to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I believe for my *extras* I received bush beans and some daisies. I heart daisies. Like I said, I can not wait till your zinnias are in full bloom. I just know that they will be beautiful. And hopefully they will remind you of our fun day that we had when we stopped by the farm stand.
And Warren? You get bonus points.
Hey! I want bonus points. I noticed the BFF on the zinnia pack too...
ReplyDeleteFarmer Jen! You totally rock, too. Im sending some bonus points your way.
ReplyDeleteIt's my first time too! I am very excited to be gardening. Since the last time I gardened was 18 years ago, I just hope I can make something grow!
ReplyDeleteVery exciting girl! I cannot wait to hear how those tomato seeds work for you.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I feel completely out of the loop here. This is the first I've heard about seed swapping. Maybe it's because I'm more of a potting plant person. I'm too impatient to wait for seeds to sprout. The closest I've come to planting a seed is using bulbs, which I'm pleased to say I've had great success with on my little urban balcony. What a wonderfully charitable organization the heirloom tomato people are to give away free seeds like that. I'm looking forward to seeing the 'fruits' of your labours later this year.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm starting a Giveaway contest today over at my place. Come on over and join in the fun!
I'll bet you're just chompin' at the bit for the ground to warm up.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your heirlooms. We'll have to compare notes. "Starpit Imperial"?? Starpit??--was somebody drunk?
This is just great Danni! I can't wait to see how you do but of course I'm sure you will shine! (we won't mention or remember about the gourds). I will probably have to put off the veggie garden until next year...we'll see.
ReplyDeleteNow why can't seed companies offer seeds in packages this size? That would be prefect.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog through Fenland Walkers blog and am loving it. I too moved from the city to country life and am inpressed at how well you have adapted. Seed sharing is a brilliant way to expand what you grow in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing seeds in stores again and can't wait to start picking out what we want to plant this year. I love the seed swaps- they are so neat to read about!
ReplyDeleteIt will be fun to see how these turn out. Great idea, that see exchange.
ReplyDeleteWow - I am so doing this free seed thing. I love seeds too. Already have four flats of veggies planted and sprouted indoors of course.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I will have to check that out. I love blogging too. So much to learn from others!
ReplyDeleteI will check out that site and I plan to do some seed saving myself this year. Thanks for sharing Danni!
I grew Thessaloniki 2 years ago and they were great! Riesenstraube is one of my favorites too. I do hope they grow for you. The Danvers carrots will be nice also. What a great selection!
ReplyDelete