2015 seed circle

[planetologist]

Thanks for your seeds, Scarlet. Elfeda has also reconfirmed that the seeds are coming, after which I will send out the swapped seeds.

[Elfeda]

I have packed the seeds. to put in lables and post , may be by tomorrow mostly will be in postie.

[Elfeda]

seeds posted from london this afternoon.

[veggiechicken]

Yesssssssssssss^^^^^

[vixylix]

are you planning on doing this again for 2016 planetologist?

[Elfeda]

are you planning on doing this again for 2016 planetologist?

yup the seed circle 2016 would be anounced by planetologist by anytime from now

[veggiechicken]

That's if Planetologist decides he's prepared to run it again this year! Its his decision, not ours

[Elfeda]

Planetologist ,

any luck with seeds! we did contact po today..got reconfirmed they have sent the parcel by first class and said to wait till monday.

[planetologist]

Thanks for the seeds Elfeda.

I've sent back the distributed seeds. Thanks for participating everybody.

Can we please evaluate the seed circle? There is another seed circle on Allotments for All, and that had fewer participants than usual this year, so that I wonder whether there are only enough seed savers who want to do a postal swap in the UK for one circle, and we'd be better off merging the two? I.e. for those of us who do not already participate in that one to move there (assuming there will be a 2016 circle there: Edible Plants ), and to drop the one here? What do you think?

If you think we should have another circle on the grapevine in 2016, I'm happy to organise again, and it would be good to know if you want to continue with the happy go lucky style of this year, or have ideas for something more structured. Elfeda had a suggestion at the start of the year, though I never understood what exactly that plan was.

I have a suggestion with question myself; that it would be easiest to finish the whole circle by 16 December, and would there be a timing of when to close the circle that would on the one hand allow any late seeds to ripen and dry, and on the other hand give everybody enough time to pack and post their seeds?

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for all your hard work, planetologist. I look forward to receiving the seeds
I'm not a member of Allotments for All and don't want to join another forum just to participate in a seed swap. That doesn't feel right to me.
I see a lot of saved seeds coming into the VSP so I know the savers are on here. Maybe they don't save enough to share with a circle?
I do think there should be a cut-off date and that anyone who hasn't sent in their seeds beforehand is excluded.

[Guest]

Thanks Planetologist from me as well.

I am the same as VC. I feel there should be a seed circle that is grapevine only.

I think there should be some cut-offs stated i.e end of Nov to shout out who is in with what, mid Jan to post them to you so they can be posted out end of Jan.

[sparrow100]

Hi Planetologist,

Not having participated this year, but I run a seed circle on John Harrison's forum - v much agree with NG about needing to say who's in and who's not early on. Personally I like knowing who's trying to save for the circle, and what if possible and hearing how stuff is growing over the year, plus it gives me an idea of how much seed I should be aiming to save for that particular circle. It doesn't prevent a few people joining later, but I like the sense of community it builds.

Sending seeds in for mid Jan gives people who are saving things which ripen later (squashes for example or climbing beans last year) time to properly dry seeds.

It was a difficult season last year, so maybe that's why not so many people joined in? I had about half the members in one circle pull out because their plants had failed, and nearly everyone in my small allotment seed circle bailed.

I'm a serial seed circle joiner, so I'd be interested in joining this year. I try and save different things for each circle, as I know some people, like me, are on more than one forum.

[Scarlet]

I love seed circles! When I first joined loads of grapes would contribute...I particulary loved the chilli swap and would join them all. It is a shame that more peeps don't join. I would prefer a late Dec/mid jan close date but would want a quick turn around. I often use chilli seeds and they don't ripen till late but need to be sown early.I don't want to join in elewhere, this is enough for me but I would agree with Sparrow, peeps need to be tied in, ask how their crops are growing. New gardeners often aren't sure how/or what to save or struggle with an alternative if one crop goes side ways, info and advice along the way may stop them giving up and dropping out. Updates on a thread would give us a push to get cracking with seed packing too.

[Thelma Sanders]

I love seed circles! When I first joined loads of grapes would contribute...I particulary loved the chilli swap and would join them all. It is a shame that more peeps don't join. I would prefer a late Dec/mid jan close date but would want a quick turn around. I often use chilli seeds and they don't ripen till late but need to be sown early.I don't want to join in elewhere, this is enough for me but I would agree with Sparrow, peeps need to be tied in, ask how their crops are growing. New gardeners often aren't sure how/or what to save or struggle with an alternative if one crop goes side ways, info and advice along the way may stop them giving up and dropping out. Updates on a thread would give us a push to get cracking with seed packing too.

Me too!.........

[Paulieb]

I loved the seed swaps I took part in, in 2013/14.

Been a bit busy with my 6 and 2 year old, and also setting up a 100+ tree orchard and allotment (v exciting).

With regards seed swaps they are excellent for gathering a wide range of varieties. Unfortunately I still have quite a few sees leftover from the seed circles, partly cos you get loads and partly because I'm rubbish at sowing successionally.

I'm starting to come back on here a bit more now so will be interested in any 2016 seed swaps that take place.