Seed swap anyone?

by Dandelion 23rd December 2017, 4:09 pm

It's that time of year again, when I dodge some of the preparations for the Big Day and think about something else for a change! Is anyone interested in a seed swap in the New Year, and if so, is there anything in particular you are looking for?

by freebird 23rd December 2017, 8:13 pm

Yes please, Dandelion.

by Ploshkin 24th December 2017, 2:54 pm

Me too please, Dandelion. No special requests.

by Dandelion 26th December 2017, 12:00 pm

Will start the list and get it posted soon. Anyone else? Chilli?

by Chilli-head 26th December 2017, 12:28 pm

Yes, count me in please DL.

I have to confess that I've been lured into seed shopping already, but the seed swap can turn up some interesting new ideas.

by Dandelion 4th January 2018, 5:51 pm

I've had a good old sort out - I think thiS will be a year when I do much less gardening (I have my pre-op assessment for my first knee replacement at the beginning of February, which is making it all much more real) With this is mind, I've had a ruthless clear-out of all the seeds which probably would germinate this year but I wouldn't hold out much hope next year. Don't worry - I haven't put them in the seed swap pack but in the compost bin!! It's just been a good opportunity to clear stuff out and throw away/give away things I won't be using. I'll post the pack tomorrow - it's going to Ploshkin first.

by Chilli-head 4th January 2018, 9:06 pm

I've just been shopping at the Organic Garden Catalogue. Spotted this kale

https://www.organiccatalogue.com/seeds/vegetable-seeds/vegetable-seeds-d-l/kale-borecole/kale-red-winter-organic-seeds.htm

Which looks to be very similar to the "Kathleen's Kale" I have from the seed swap. I'm still not sure how I should use it ? It's still there at the allotment, it hasn't grown huge - do you take off young leaves sometime (?) and cook them how ... ? Never grown kale before ...

by freebird 4th January 2018, 9:56 pm

I've grown some red kale this year, though bought in young plants as I was still playing catch-up and missed sowing seed. I have so far only picked very young leaves to go with my other salad leaves to eat raw, for our own consumption. I have also picked a few batches of outer leaves for the dog! We give her a healthy portion of veg to replace some of her meat - helps keep her weight down.

I am going to try cooking some before it finishes - maybe try stir frying some. I'm not a huge fan of kale as I find it rather coarse and tough, but I think the idea is to harvest leaves little and often, a bit like cut and come again lettuce. I will have to consult Mr Dowding.

by Chilli-head 5th January 2018, 11:55 am

Thanks FB. Like all my brassica, I think it has not done very well this year. Maybe enough to try though.

by Dandelion 5th January 2018, 1:02 pm

I've used it in stir fries before - it has a lovely flavour. Sometimes you have to tear the leaves away from the stem if they're not young leaves as the stem can be tough.

by Ploshkin 8th January 2018, 2:32 pm

Package arrived today, thank you Dandelion.

by Dandelion 8th January 2018, 4:33 pm

Excellent - hope there's something you might like to try. I put a few more flowers in this year, thinking about encouraging pollinators.

by Ploshkin 18th January 2018, 11:51 am

Profuse apologies to all. I am now ready to send on the seed swap package - who's next Dandelion?
I'm afraid I've been no good for anything, couldn't even summon the energy to go down to the shed for my box of seeds until yesterday. I've still got the bug that I've had since the first week of December - the doctor thinks I might have pneumonia - I sure wish it would go away.

by Chilli-head 18th January 2018, 1:30 pm

Oh dear Ploshkin. This is turning out to be a bad winter for diseases. I'm feeling snotty and red eyed this morning, C-H Jnr is couching again. I thought we were on the mend. Hope yours improves soon.

We are a fair way off sowing seeds yet I think, so I woudn't worry too much about a little delay.

by Dandelion 19th January 2018, 6:57 pm

It's off to C-H next, Ploshkin: I'll PM you the address.

Lots of people at school were off this past week, some with Norovirus, but others still poorly with flu, chest infections and so on. We were averaging 15 people absent each day. These viruses are seeming to last and last

by Ploshkin 22nd January 2018, 11:11 am

The seeds are on their way to Chilli Head

by Chilli-head 24th January 2018, 4:20 pm

The parcel has landed Chez C-H. I've had a quick look through and it looks quite promising Very Happy

by Ploshkin 24th January 2018, 4:53 pm

At the moment the only things I am likely to be able to grow are rice and watercress - actually, I think there were some watercress seeds in the package but I don't really like it much so left them.

by Chilli-head 28th January 2018, 11:59 am

I've had a good rummage, and the parcel is now ready to go on its way ... who's next ?

by Chilli-head 28th January 2018, 12:02 pm

Actually I rather guess it must be Freebird, unless there is someone I don't know about.. In which case unless she's moved, I still have the address in a pm from last time.

by freebird 28th January 2018, 1:31 pm

No I haven't moved CH - literally, this morning as I've been sitting all morning working on spreadsheet coding for my man, whilst doing the Big Garden Birdwatch.

by Chilli-head 30th January 2018, 9:31 am

The parcel is on its way to you Freebird.

by freebird 1st February 2018, 11:49 am

Arrived this morning, thank you.

by freebird 1st February 2018, 4:12 pm

What plants are the seeds labelled Mulato?

by Chilli-head 1st February 2018, 4:55 pm

Oops. Forgot to explain, I put them in. They are ... a Chilli ! Mild, large Mexican type:

The brown ones here. Maybe 3" long or so. They give a nice, rusty colour to a chilli or stew, without much heat.

[The others in the bowl are Jamaica yellow - the odd shaped ones, Jalapeno and Aji Lemon Drop. Bowl is sycamore, about 8" round, turned by my friend Jim !]

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