No more seed buying!

[Jimny14]

That reminds me Dal, next door neighbour was telling me that a few years ago they decided to specifically save seed from f1 courgettes, I forget which variety, as an experiment with the grand kids. Apparently got all sorts of different colours and shapes and most perfectly edible. I did ask if they'd saved any seed from the most tasty off spring but alas no. Might be an experiment for the future if anyone fancies it. Try and grow a stable new variety from an f1. Just think a courgette that suited your ground so well that it would just produce tonnes of courgettes without much bother or pampering, (OK hang on maybe I haven't thought it through).

[Penellype]

No more seed buying???

Noooo - all the seed catalogues are just arriving.

Anyway I have a good excuse as I will need more seeds for the allotment. Well, I might.

[Cadalot]

2018 will be the 4th year of growing crimson crush tomatoes using seed saved from the plants that I got for free when it was first introduced. Yes its an F1, Yes I got two very different looking types of plants the first year, the second year I saved the seeds from the better type. I don't know what it is I'm growing now but it looks and tastes like the original and I shall keep saving and using seeds annually.

[Small pumpkin]

I'm rubbish at seed saving! Only veg seeds I save are pea bean. And runner beans, but I know they have been crossed many many times. I save a few flower seeds.

[veggiechicken]

What about toms - or chillies?

[Small pumpkin]

What about toms - or chillies?

I've tried half heartedly with isolating chillies. I really should try again. I should try toms as well.
Considering a designated seed saving area for stuff like lettuce, brassicas, leek,carrots. Is that a plan or very silly? The main problem for me, by time they are about to flower, they are in the way! So get ripped out.

Just remembered I did have a good corridor seed harvest this year. It was my first time trying and it was a success.

[Lumpy]

Nope not a seed saver but I have noticed that many veg varieties that are suitable for small spaces and pots etc are F1.

I don't have enough knowledge to save anything (and bone idle to boot).

Off to the rant thread now.............

[Snadger]

2018 will be the 4th year of growing crimson crush tomatoes using seed saved from the plants that I got for free when it was first introduced. Yes its an F1, Yes I got two very different looking types of plants the first year, the second year I saved the seeds from the better type. I don't know what it is I'm growing now but it looks and tastes like the original and I shall keep saving and using seeds annually.

We had a tomato doing the rounds of the allotments a few years ago. Cedrico was supposed to be an F1
but was grown on for years from saved seed. As you say cad, no one could see any difference from the original Cedrico and it was a good tomato. I think some of the plot holders are still growing it seven years later.

[Jimny14]

Well, thanks to Scarlet and a very generous batch of seeds I've been sent I'm rejigging my planting plan for next year. I know French beans are self fertile, but if I planted two varieties next to each other may they cross? Also could they cross with broad beans? I'm guessing not but I'm not 100%

[Jeanied]

Our allotment site has passed around saved broad beans and saved sweetcorn which does really well every year. And my red russian kale went to seed and germinated all over the top of my compost bin so those are staying. I don't need to sow rainbow chard ever again - it just pops up where it wants to and where I will let it stay.

[Chris11]

Not bought any seeds of any type for at least 2 years, and won't be buying any for this coming season. And although I've given away or swapped around 200 packets during that time, I've probably still got a larger collection now than I had then

I've always felt strongly about environmental issues. Reduce, re-use, recycle. Buying seeds or anything else with a limited shelf life that won't get used or given away is a total anathema to me.

There's a lot of satisfaction in seed sharing and saving, especially if it keeps a rare variety going. I'm particularly grateful to generous people here and elsewhere who have kindly shared or swapped seeds and I will continue doing the same.

[Scarlet]

Easy seeds are peas and French beans. They're self pollinating.
Tomatoes are mostly reliable too.
So, in theory, once you have the peas, beans & toms you need never buy another packet

Yes, that is true but I love sowing different varieties and it's not possible to sow every variety every year, so often I loose one due to the seed going old if I haven't grown it for several seasons. That's why I love to swap, even if it's a variety that I grow often - good to get some new blood in

I haven't bought many seeds for several years.
Seed circles, VSP, swaps and local seed swapping fairs usually give me more than I need.....though once in a while, as a little treat it's nice to order some new variety ...last year it was a few new bean seeds. but I'm generally good.

[Scarlet]

Well, thanks to Scarlet and a very generous batch of seeds I've been sent I'm rejigging my planting plan for next year. I know French beans are self fertile, but if I planted two varieties next to each other may they cross? Also could they cross with broad beans? I'm guessing not but I'm not 100%

French beans can cross with each other but very rarely, and they won't cross with broad beans - I've never had a problem.

[Thelma Sanders]

Frenchies don't usually cross, but they can. One year I grew a green variety and a purple variety, close together. The next year, growing the green one again from the saved seeds - I got some pods with purple streaks on them.

[Scarlet]

Did you keep them Thelma?
Admittedly I do have a big plot and I try to grow them well apart.