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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