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#1 Mon. Feb. 9th Everything you need to know about Seeds: Choose your seeds, when to order from catalogues, proven varieties, germination requirements, propagation concerns for starting indoors or outdoors, and tips on saving seed too. Some discussion on the use of organic seed. Participants will complete a list of what they plan to grow in the 2009 season, with decisions on what to direct sow and what to use for transplants. Choose your seeds: Review of catalogs – Why buy seed from catalogs? – Information! Most catalogs have charts of best planting dates, germination temps, days to maturity, seed sizes and other crucial planting information. Seed Types: OP –Open-pollinated varieties will grow true to type when randomly mated within their own variety. When these seeds are planted they will reliably reproduce the same plant as the parent. These plants are pollinated by the wind, insects, birds or animals, not by human manipulation. Hybrid –F1 result of a cross between two known distinct strains that produce a stable consistent hybrid offspring -usually bred to produce strong vigorous plants with desirable characteristics. Seeds from a hybrid usually fail to breed true, rather showing the characteristics of the parent strains. Seeds from a hybrid may be sterile. GMOs - any plant, animal or microorganism, which has been genetically altered using molecular genetics techniques such as gene cloning and protein engineering. Corn that has the pesticide Bt inserted into its genetic makeup to make it resistant to certain pests is an example of a GMO plant. Monsanto/Seminis From Fedco’s web pages: “In January 2005 Monsanto announced that they were buying Seminis for $1.4 billion in cash and assumed debt. Noted for its aggressive advocacy of genetically modified crops and its dominance in biotechnology, Monsanto will now have a major presence in the vegetable seed business for the first time. No one knows if or when they will incorporate transgenes into their vegetable varieties.” After polling their customers, Fedco made the decision to drop Seminis varieties. For more info check out: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/monsanto.htm Organic Seed – a requirement for certified organic growers. If specific varieties are unavailable, grower may, with some qualifications, use non-certified seed; but never treated seed. Seed varieties and narrowing of gene pool – Garden Seed Inventory – “Almost half of all the non-hybrid vegetable varieties available in 1984 had been dropped from mail-order catalogs by 1991.” Annuals grow to maturity within one season Biennials produce seed after their second season Perennials survive most winters, continue to flower and produce seed Inevitables successfully self seed or reproduce through underground rhizomes Germination Requirements Hand out – How to Succeed at Seed Starting Factors: age of seeds, hygiene, moisture, temperature, air circulation, light, time Problems: damping off, aphids, soil gnats Seeds with thick or hard coatings may need scarification just before sowing. Nick them with a knife, a pinpoint or lightly scratch them with sandpaper, Some seeds need to be stratified - first moisten and then chill the seed for a specified period of time -before sowing. This tricks the seed into thinking it has gone through winter followed by the gradual warm-up of spring. Identify a seedling by looking at its first two leaves (cotyledons) and then its first true leaves Direct Seeding Plants with one central root are best direct seeded – don’t grow well if that central root is disturbed Plants that produce only one small harvestable unit – like radish, kohlrabi, carrot are usually best direct seeded – best use of farmer’s time Saving seed – Benefits: Knowing the entire plant life cycle, beyond harvest time for dinner Produce seed uniquely adapted to your growing situation You don’t have to buy seed or be dependent on seed companies You are keeping that plant in our gene pool Difficulties: Plant is occupying space the entire season Cross-pollination possibilities complicate planning Some years the late summer is too cool and wet for optimal seed collection Storing seed – cool dry place like a sealed jar in a freezer or refrigerator, Humidity causes the quickest deterioration. When seed is ripe, the seed head darkens and becomes dry, or pods stiffen. You can bag seed heads earlier in the season that look good for seed production, to ensure that the seed doesn’t spread itself before you collect it. How to choose what to plant Our experience from many years of market gardening and CSA production Some of Our Favorite Varieties Lettuce - Valmaine Romaine, Yugoslavian Red butterhead, Esmeralda butterhead, Red Cross, Lolla Rosa, Rouge d’Hiver (OP) Broccoli – Arcadia, Amadeus Zucchini - Zephyr, Butterstick Bean – any Romano, Dragon Langerie, Gold of Bacau Bush bean - Provider Carrot – Mokum, Spinach – Tyee, Olympia, Whale Cucumber – Suyo long, Diva Basil – Mrs. Burns Lemon basil Cauliflower – grafitti Winter Squash – Red Kuri, Sunshine Tomatoes – Big Rainbow, Golden Jubilee, Sun Sugar Shallot – Prisma Pumpkin – Rouge Vif’d’Etampe Cabbage – Melissa Savoy, Gonzales Beet – chioggia, bulls blood Brussels Sprouts - Falstaff Onion – Mars (red) Pepper – King Arthur, North Star, Lipstick Radicchio – Indigo Choi – Mei Quing Choi Books to Read: Seed to Seed – Suzanne Ashworth Propagation Handbook – Basic Techniques for Gardeners – Geoff Bryant Garden Seed Inventory -Compiled by Kent Whealy 6th Edition available for 2005 The Vegetable Garden – MM.Vilmorin-Andrieux, English version Nov. 1885 Seed sellers Fedco Johnny's Pinetree Cooks Osborne Seed Company Territorial Nichols Garden Nursery Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply Seed Savers Exchange Gourmet Seed International www.fedcoseeds.com johnnyseeds.com www.superseeds.com www.coksgarden.com www.osborneseed.com www.territorialseed.com www.nicholsgardennursery.com www.groworganic.com www.seedsavers.org www.gourmetseed.com Wild Garden Seed - Gathering Together Farm www.wildgardenseed.com Kitazawa Seed Co. www.kitazawaseed.com Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Bountiful Gardens Seeds of Change www.southernexposure.com www.bountifulgardens.org www.seedsofchange.com Type Bean, pole Bean, bush Beet Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Chard Choi Corn Cucumber Eggplant Herbs Kale Kohlrabi Leeks Lettuce Onions Peas Peppers Radish Mustard greens Spinach Summer squash Tomatilla Tomato Winter squash Variety Supplier