I am going to summit a list of seeds I have in early November, time enough to gather the 23 crop of seeds in. You should have 15 or 20 seeds in individual packets labeled with germination percentage ( optional ) to send in bubble wrap envelopes, USPS can be brutal. More than 20 seeds is just a waste seeing the grower will have hundreds more the next season.
Biggest problem. We have early blight with defoliation & use the Surround WP to protect the tomato's as they ripen. Pain in the arse I know.
Weather swings can cause (or allow, maybe) rot of various kinds on tomatoes. They like sudden changes of weather even less than they like bad (for them) weather. Even if it suddenly changes to something they normally like better.
We have learned that sprinkling a small amount of this around outside your home will keep most ants at bay. It kills them like being stuck by knives & they dry out & die.
What a great idea!
Last fall I purchased the book Seed to Seed from the Seed Exchange so that I'd learn the nuances to collecting various types of seeds for the next season. In the past, Ive successfully collected squash, marigolds, zinnias, and more. However the seeds I'm offering up are seed packets from various vendors such as Ferry Morse, etc. My mother had bags and boxes full of seed packets. No idea where they came from or how viable they might be given their age and exposure to heat/cold. I did try to plant some sweet corn and green beans from her packets in her shed. The corn was a bust but the beans germinated so I know some are still good.I am going to summit a list of seeds I have in early November, time enough to gather the 23 crop of seeds in. You should have 15 or 20 seeds in individual packets labeled with germination percentage ( optional ) to send in bubble wrap envelopes, USPS can be brutal. More than 20 seeds is just a waste seeing the grower will have hundreds more the next season.
This seed exchange can work very well if each of you save seed properly. Example.
Gather saved seed from early fruit if possible that is the time plants flower at different times making for crosses to be less likely. Late is still ok.
Pick only perfectly ripe fruit for your seeds & dry gently & pack right away.
Be careful to save only OP or heirloom seeds as Hybrids' will revert at 75, 50 then 25 percent 2 true each year you grow them.
Watch some you tube video on saving seed & learn why we ferment Tomato seeds & not cucumber seed. It's a rewarding thing to own your seeds & not be tied to the Seed companies & hybrid's. Your saved seed is worth more than money, you can trade seed with other growers & make everybody ( but the seed Companies) happy. LOL.
Just remember, the gardener you send seed to must wait for a long time to find out just what you sent them then it's to late. I have sent & received seeds from fellow growers around the world it's a great time to be a grower. I have been growing since 1971 & never have I seen a more diverse variety of fruit & vegetables available to backyard growers. Of course the Internet has done more to spread seeds around the world than the birds have.
I have used rosemary oil usually with a bit of soap for mites, thrips and some other insects, including some beetles will die or leave. I seldom get 100% control but it is a valuable tool and really reduces the insect pressure and gives some level of control for a while. Two or three sprays may be needed to knock out the insects if they are severe or not as susceptible as some others. Add Pyrethrum and take it up a big notch and becomes even more effective and for more insects. All organic and safe to use in your vegetable patch. Do not spray in the mid day heat or hot sunshine. I usually spray just before dusk in the late afternoon.
