Thank you, Sally! Yes, just one packet is all I need. Can I pay you at the seed swap?
"THINK SPRING!" seed swap DISCUSSION
I just added Digitalis purpurea 'Camelot Rose' (Foxglove) to my "haves" list.
Greenthumb, I have some seeds from a pure white "Blue Lobelia" that you gave me. They're sand-colored, much lighter than blue "Blue Lobelia" seeds. I was thinking about putting them on my haves list, but don't want to disappoint people if they revert to blue. I know you have experience with this, so...what are the odds they'll produce white blooms?
This message was edited Jan 12, 2015 10:08 AM
sure, ssg, no prob! I think I can float ya $2 for a couple weeks.. haha
Sally, so true, thanks for your input! I know at least once a dollar store "find" was a top pick. OK, we'll put it all on the same table. After everybody has had a choice from the table, however, we'll do "take it if you can use it" rather than trying to have enough time to go back up the list for second picks.
How about doing a separate book swap table, though... bring a book (or three), take a book (or three). Whether it's a good read or a lovely coffee table book, sometimes you're just ready to pass it along and try something else. If you're bringing a book as your gift table item, you can put it on the gift table of course. I have a couple of books from previous gift tables, and I know some people might bring but not take a book, so... Before you leave, see if there's an unclaimed book you'd like. And magazines on that table are "free to good home."
does that sound like it will work?
and I'll put your name on a pack of NY ironweed, Muddy.
David, thank you for those seeds!
Thanks, Critter.
If anybody has extra "toss around" seeds that would be good for the butterflies & bees, I'm going to see what I can sneak in by direct sowing around the back side of that drainage pond (off to the right behind us). I can also sprinkle along the our property line.. Our trees go nearly to the edge, but if I go over a little I can blame the birds, right? LOL. When I was in Canada last fall, I grabbed a bag of tall white aster of some sort and another of Joe Pye Weed seed. Older seeds that you might not otherwise use would be welcome!
This message was edited Jan 14, 2015 10:41 AM
Some of the new seeds (for this year) that I have are:
Tropical Milkweed
New England Asters (whole spent heads)
Seeds from all my Phlox (yes! They make seeds! Never grew them from seed???
Lots of "Lady-in-red" Salvia
......and more.
I am not done yet organizing my seeds, so I don't know what else I have...
Please be patient....Gita
Gita, I'd love to try your phlox mix! I haven't had any "volunteer" in my garden, but they seem like something that could be winter sowed. Anybody started phlox from seed?
I'm looking for Tropical Milkweed, Castor Bean and Hyacinth Bean Vine.
Ach, I think I just sent along my extra pack of hyacinth bean vine to the piggy swap, but I seem to recall it was from Gita a couple years ago, so her "old" seed box might have some.
I do have 'Silky Deep Red' tropical milkweed and will put your name on a packet.
Jill--
I have some seeds from all the phlox--but I also think they got mixed up.
I would find Phlox seeds all over my table--but I did not spill any.
They were all in little cups. The only think I can think of is that the seeds
popped out of their casings and went all over.
So--since you want a "mix'--perfect!
I have NO idea how long it would take foe a Phlox grown from seed
to bloom. I also have NO idea how to sow the seeds and when.
Holly--
I collected a bunch of seeds from my Tropical, Orange Milkweed. Will tag one for you.
I DO have Hyacinth Bean Vine from 2 years ago. They will be in my big box
along the side of the box. But--I will put a baggie in your bag.
Gita
I have 2 seed mixes also to offer, but mine didn't get mixed after collecting -- I was just, ah, "simplifying" the harvesting & threshing! Whatever salvias we found in the yard or the neighborhood went into one paper bag, and sedums went into another. With the sedums, I figured that even if some of those newer selections are sterile, you'll still get something by sowing the mix!
I am getting tired of sitting by my DR table and working on seeds!!!!
This week--I have been at it a bit much.almost every day!
New seeds--mean putting yhe seeds in the 2x3 baggies--printing new tags
to put in-and then have to find a picture to put on the envelope...
I have refilled envelopes in my BIG BOX--now am working on the "new" seeds.
I KNOW I put way too much time in all this--but it is, sort of, mindless work and
worth it to me to hear nice comments on how organized my seeds are.
Perfection has it's price!!! I just want to get all this DONE!!!!!!!!!!
G.
Hehehe, I knew there was a reason I don't collect seeds. I admire your perseverity, Gita
For those who might be interested in trying a shorter, compacter swamp milkweed: I have 3 plants that were sold as swamp milkweeds, but one is much more compact than the others and has variegated leaves. The first photo shows its leaves, and the second shows it in the right foreground with the much taller, lankier swamp milkweeds on its left and just behind it. I know that's a bad photo, but it's all I have to show the size difference.
This message was edited Jan 16, 2015 9:16 PM
oooh, variegated leaves! yes, please. it'll be interesting to see if it comes true.
this may sound very wet blanketish, but in the interest of scientific exploration so to speak- I wonder if the plant may have been stressed/ infected and thus displaying those colors and different habit? so it will be interesting to see how seedlings behave.
Holly- I have castor bean (red), I think a packet of hyacinth bean from you that I didn't use up, and four small pots of overwintering tropical milkweed.
That's possible, although it looked healthy. One factor could be that this area used to consist of mostly ground maple wood. I removed most of it and added lots of compost and good soil, but there definitely are pockets with higher percentages of ground wood. It'll be an interesting science experiment, as will my maybe-white "Blue Lobelia" seeds.
Critter, I put you down for the Swamp MW with variegated leaves. I'm also putting extra native seeds aside for you. How are you on Aster seeds? I have those in fairly large quantities. I also have a very large amount of Joe Pye Weed 'Little Joe' if you could use more Joe Pye.
Here's a link on How to grow Phlox from seed.
Seems it is easy--but it also seems that they need striation.
Also-a ways down--it says that Phlox from seed may grow to look
totally different--even in size and growth habits.
http://perennialpleasures.net/all-about-phlox
Thanks Sally, I never did get my Castor Bean seeds harvested and the Hyacinth beans never seem to get fully mature for me.
I will have a few pure suet cakes to sell at $3- or gifts for those I am cadging seed off of. Great word, "cadging."
Muddy, I've got a fat sandwich bag of some sort of tall white aster, a baggie with NE aster from you last fall, and a fat baggie of tall Joe Pye. Want to trade some tall Joe Pye for some Little Joe?
Thanks for that link, Gita!
Is anybody interested in lilies from Touch of Nature? Bert is shipping March 9. Shipping charges are $9 plus 10% of total, so if you only wanted 1 or 2 varieties it'd definitely be cheaper to ride on the coattails of somebody else's order. Here's the "co-op" page: http://www.touchofnature.com/specials/spring.htm
Critter, thanks for the offer, but I don't want more Joe Pye seeds; I just want to off-load some of mine onto you if you can use them : - )
Sally---
Did you want me to give you there 4 seeds?
-Giant Purple Amaranth
-"Arizona Sun" Gailardia
-"Torch light Gailardia"
Boston pickling Cucumber
I assume NOT--but these packets were in one of the pots i will be bringing you.
Maybe I just threw them in there????
Doess not sound like something you would ask for....
Just clarifying....G.
gita not me, I haven't asked for anything yet.
Then I just threw them in there...and kept going...
I have mentioned the swap to Tammy. Not sure she is interested-
but if she is--would there be room for her as well?
Is it the usual--You, Mark, Robin and me?
Hmmm..maybe I should not "push" Tammy coming...
G.
Gita, I'd take the pickling cuke please if it needs a home...
Gita, The van holds 6. Yes on you me Robin and Mark. I'm sure we'd enjoy Tammy's company.
I have a small fish pepper plant in four inch pot. My plant last summer struggled due to something eating all the leaves at one point, but it was regrowing nicely so I potted it up and brought it in. It has two green fruits on it also. Anyone?
Sally, if I am able to come this year, I would also like to ride with you all and promise not to snore if I nap along the way! Pretty please?
OF COURSE!!!! coleup, you are MORE than welcome, snoring or not!
Hey, does anybody need black metal hooks for hanging baskets? I'm putting an order in today with Collections Etc. Somebody (Holly maybe?) has ordered these and liked the quality; they get good reviews, too. Free shipping (today anyway) with code 3T33C1C, but I think that's with a $40 minimum purchase, or half-price shipping with no minimum... if you just want the hooks, I can add them to my order, $12 for 6, assorted lengths: http://www.collectionsetc.com/Product/outdoor-plant-hanger-hooks--set-of-6.aspx/_/N-6hur0
Jill--I have an assortment of seed packets of pickling cukes.
I can't vouch for which is best. These are all opened packets
that I used some seeds from. There are not too many seeds in these packets.
Maybe 10-12?
If you like--I will choose what I have the most of for you.
Or--you could get a new packet (for 2015) for $1.19 at the HD.
As of right now--we do not have any seeds in yet. Should be soon-
as we have the peat pots and growing stuff in.
Will put some aside for you when I check what I have. G.
I'm interested in cucumber, but I won't be pickling them. Should I get a different variety, and not the pickling one that Gita is offering?
Does anyone have any other cucumber seeds?
ssg I really like the flavor of pickling cukes better than other I've grown. I had a great year with them in 2013.
Critter, on second thought, I'll take some of your Joe Pye Weed after all. It's supposed to be deer-resistant, so I'll give it a try in the woods...and I'll put you down for Little Joe!
I think the pickling cukes are much more usable in salads and everything else.
For one--they have less, and smaller seeds. They also taste better.
Hey--you all! Just go to HD or Lowes ans pick out a packed you think you would like
for a dollar...something...
If any of you would like to have my Pickles recipe--here it is:
Gita’s Refrigerator Garlic-Dill Pickles
Need: 3 wide-mouthed jars (pickle type), or Mayo. Jars
One BIG bunch of fresh Dill
5-6 cloves Garlic (or to taste)—diced or thinly sliced.
10-12 pickling cucumbers--(such as Kirby). Fresh is best!
Store cucumbers are WAXED, and no way you can remove it! If you
must use store cukes, score them through the skin with a fork
and slice them thickly. They also have more seeds! But…it will
work if no others are available.
Lately—I have been using the long, English, seedless cucumbers.
They work very well.
To Do: Stuff jars ¼ full of fresh dill, stems and leaves! Sprinkle a gene-
rous amount of the chopped garlic on top. Mix up a bit.
Stuff jars as full as you can with speared or sliced cucumbers,
interspersing them with some more Dill and a bit of garlic.
For MY taste---I usually have too much garlic in these.
Some love it!
Prepare the Broth: In a 2Qt. saucepan, combine the following:
2 and a half cups water….3/4cup white vinegar (can be part
Apple Cider vinegar)…1 rounded, regular Tbs. KOSHER, or
Pickling salt (DO NOT use regular, iodized salt!!!).
1 regTbs. Sugar, 1tsp mustard seed, 1tsp. Pickling
Spice….or--1-2 Bay leaves…6-8 pcs. Whole Allspice,
And about 1/2tsp. Hot pepper flakes.
Bring broth to a boil. Lower heat and simmer all, stirring often,
For about 10-15 minutes. Keep VERY hot until ready to use!
Filling Jars:
Stirring constantly, to distribute spices, ladle hot broth
evenly into jars until all contents are covered. Seal jars. Invert
each jar a couple of times to mix contents.
Let jars cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate.
Pickles are ready to eat in 2-3 days! They will be delicious and
crunchy! Use them up in about 2-3 weeks, as they will soften
with time, but will still be good.
Enjoy! Gita
Gita, I'm still trying to find the "best" cuke for my garden, and we like the pickling ones. If you have any you don't think you'll use, I'd be glad to give them a try (or pass them along to ssg). 3 seeds is enough for a "hill," maybe 4 if they're 5 years old or more. No worries if you'd rather not mess with them. I know I can find cucumber seeds in the store.
Burpee has a new bush pickler; I'll be on the lookout for that on the seed racks (don't want to pay their min. shipping for 1 or 2 items).
Burpee has a free-shipping offer that expires at midnight tonight, per something they sent me in an email. No minimum order. You just enter "FSHP15" at checkout.