A Seed Saver's Garden

[Pulsegleaner]

Slow start this year.

Few chickpea sprouts up, and some vetch (including the seed I was sent by the Etsy seller who said they were hog peanut, so, by season's end, maybe I'll have a clue what they are.

Hooker's Chives came back (they basically permanent now,) but they still taste of basically nothing, so not much use.

Catmint and Chinese Mint back (Chinese Mint a little slow.)

Of sown herb seeds, I THINK the Syrian Oregano has sprouted, but not sure. Still waiting on South African Rosemary and Green Lavender.

Holy Basil plants died over winter (whitefly proved too much,) but a dropped seed sprouted.

Planted three pots of tomatoes (my own saved seed); a green cherry (wrote on packet "slightly longer") a pink cherry (the one that showed up in the Open Minded pot last year, or the year before,) and a packet market "Orange Fuzzy.)

Cuke patch divided in four; cucamelon variant (Melothria trilobata), Crystal Apple, Richmond Apple, and one yet to be sown (need to talk to my neighbor about her luffas. If she's already sown them, I'll plant the Apple Luffa seeds in area 4. If she hasn't, I'll give HER the Apple Luffa seeds and sow something else there.

One pot of White Roselle (had to be a pot; I know it won't flower until winter here, so I need to be able to carry it inside.

Rice beans failed again. Worse, it looks like that brand finally got a seed checker, so no more off types . So that's it, probably (if I ever go back to the Chinatowns, I'll look around, but I think that was the last "impure" brand.

Still have the plants that MIGHT be Capsicum lanceolatum, so that'll go out for the summer (though, given they have gone through a whole year and every day length possible, what's missing to get them to flower baffles me.

Will start corn soon; need to prep patch, prep cold frame, and assemble/install new cage first.

 

[Decoy1]

The 'Double Red' corn is sprouting in their cups too! Excited to see this corn in the flesh! I'm planting it in the new bed in the front yard so I do hope the foliage might show a bit of the red coloring for decorative flair!

I have grown ‘Double Red’ a few times, including this season. It has stunning foliage. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

 

[Rillowen]

When I planted my 'Celway Terracotta' celosia seeds I was a bit miffed, and didn't think the seeds would sprout because they looked worse for wear with all the yellow powdery protective coating at the bottom of the packet. And 10 seeds, gosh, that seemed so stingy to me considering the packet was $5. But they're sprouting already, so I have no reason to bellyache. It's looking like they're fresh seeds and 10 might be alright afterall. I'm pretty pleased that is working out so well.

The 'Double Red' corn is sprouting in their cups too! Excited to see this corn in the flesh! I'm planting it in the new bed in the front yard so I do hope the foliage might show a bit of the red coloring for decorative flair!
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The 'Oklahoma Salmon' zinnias are all sprouting too, I got really lucky with this last batch of seeds. I also planted some little 'Kiku Chrysanthemum' melons, and a variety of cucumber called 'Black Diamond'. It's a type that seems to have unusual keeping qualities, which is a gripe I have with fresh cukes. They perish a bit too quickly for me. This one is an American heirloom from the 1920's, rather rare it seems.
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Last interesting thing I seeded this weekend was Aehobak, which a seed trading friend in Spain sent me. I'm quite excited to grow it! One of the problems I always had with regular zucchini plants was their huge bushy mass - not an easy accomodation for a smaller space gardener like me. But Aehobak grows like a cucumber vine, so I can control and/or direct it better. I may have it climb a trellis. It's a Cucurbita moschata , unlike most zukes which are pepo's.

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Oh fun! I would be interested in that red corn, I'm guessing its a dent? I also hav3 been frustrated with how quickly cucumbers go bad, but if the flesh is waxy or bitter then I'd rather just deal with the abrupt break down. You will have to post how they taste!

 

[Rillowen]

Slow start this year.

Few chickpea sprouts up, and some vetch (including the seed I was sent by the Etsy seller who said they were hog peanut, so, by season's end, maybe I'll have a clue what they are.

Hooker's Chives came back (they basically permanent now,) but they still taste of basically nothing, so not much use.

Catmint and Chinese Mint back (Chinese Mint a little slow.)

Of sown herb seeds, I THINK the Syrian Oregano has sprouted, but not sure. Still waiting on South African Rosemary and Green Lavender.

Holy Basil plants died over winter (whitefly proved too much,) but a dropped seed sprouted.

Planted three pots of tomatoes (my own saved seed); a green cherry (wrote on packet "slightly longer") a pink cherry (the one that showed up in the Open Minded pot last year, or the year before,) and a packet market "Orange Fuzzy.)

Cuke patch divided in four; cucamelon variant (Melothria trilobata), Crystal Apple, Richmond Apple, and one yet to be sown (need to talk to my neighbor about her luffas. If she's already sown them, I'll plant the Apple Luffa seeds in area 4. If she hasn't, I'll give HER the Apple Luffa seeds and sow something else there.

One pot of White Roselle (had to be a pot; I know it won't flower until winter here, so I need to be able to carry it inside.

Rice beans failed again. Worse, it looks like that brand finally got a seed checker, so no more off types . So that's it, probably (if I ever go back to the Chinatowns, I'll look around, but I think that was the last "impure" brand.

Still have the plants that MIGHT be Capsicum lanceolatum, so that'll go out for the summer (though, given they have gone through a whole year and every day length possible, what's missing to get them to flower baffles me.

Will start corn soon; need to prep patch, prep cold frame, and assemble/install new cage first.

I'm not familiar with capsicum Lanceolatum, but given that is a pepper i might suggest some coffee grounds, bone meal, and an occasional shot of yogurt whey until about mid June. Powdered banana peel is often also good. Peppers are very hungry, and if they dont have enough potassium and phosphorus they just won't do anything.
That said you may have tried that and be way ahead of me, it looks like you are a bit more experienced in the garden than me!

 

[Pulsegleaner]

I'm not familiar with capsicum Lanceolatum, but given that is a pepper i might suggest some coffee grounds, bone meal, and an occasional shot of yogurt whey until about mid June. Powdered banana peel is often also good. Peppers are very hungry, and if they dont have enough potassium and phosphorus they just won't do anything.
That said you may have tried that and be way ahead of me, it looks like you are a bit more experienced in the garden than me!

At the moment, my main concern is keeping them in my room and away from the cat, who has developed a taste for the leaves. Why, I have no idea; they must taste nasty. (Then again, the reason I chose lanceolatum from among the other wild pepper species was that it DOESN'T produce capsacin , so maybe it doesn't make the leaf toxins either.)

 

[Rillowen]

At the moment, my main concern is keeping them in my room and away from the cat, who has developed a taste for the leaves. Why, I have no idea; they must taste nasty. (Then again, the reason I chose lanceolatum from among the other wild pepper species was that it DOESN'T produce capsacin , so maybe it doesn't make the leaf toxins either.)

Oh! Even more on the coffee grounds then! It used to work on my cat anyway.

 

[heirloomgal]

I have grown ‘Double Red’ a few times, including this season. It has stunning foliage. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

That is so great to hear @Decoy1!

 

[heirloomgal]

Oh fun! I would be interested in that red corn, I'm guessing its a dent? I also hav3 been frustrated with how quickly cucumbers go bad, but if the flesh is waxy or bitter then I'd rather just deal with the abrupt break down. You will have to post how they taste!

Double Red is a sweet corn for fresh eating, developed by Alan Kapuler. High in antioxidants, which makes me feel better about growing corn because that species doesn't have a great nutritional profile, lol.