Is there a designated person who receives extra seed from DGers that newbies can contact and get a welcome package from?
Who takes care of seeds for newbies
I don't think there is one .. but that actually is a splendid idea! Are you volunteering?
X
*chuckle* well, as a newbie myself... sort of everyone. We just sort of start posting, and the generous people here send things to help us out. When we have enough, we return the favor with other newbies.
At least, that's what I've understood it to be like. Welcome packages would be nice, but the shipping would get expensive after a while, wouldn't it?
-Sev
Well, on another site their is one person who gets all the seed packages and when newbies join they go to that thread, kind of like a welcome thread. They ask for a welcome package and hostess contacts them and finds out the zone and all, the newbie sends the postage for a small bubble enve and the hostess send it out to them when the stamps are received.
I think it might work here if it is sectioned off so one person doesn't have to take care of the whole thing unless it is all he or she had to do. I wouldn't mind doing the midwest section, although some time in the summer I might get a little behind. I live in a very touristy area.
That sounds like a nice idea. I got my start of seeds from Wintersown mostly, as well as sweet people on DG.
Anne
I had a few people that helped me get started, in fact I think my first swap was with X and one with Sheran. It would be nice, maybe it can even be shared by a group of people.
Good idea. We need to find someone to co ordinate this. ROBBI - Are you listening? Boy will she yell when she reads this. LOL
I'm wondering if it should be for new subscribers, or anyone who registers on DG. That would be a much bigger job.
dylan-she is gonna whoop you good!!!!! LOL
It would be nice to send new subscribers a welcome package and info about the seed trading site. I initially started trading by using the "Other tradelists" and eventually I found out how to use the forum. Subscribers with surplus seeds could send them to a designated person to be used for welcome packages.
I think the welcome package should be for subscribers.
Newcomers could in the following year send some of their seeds that came from their welcoming packets.
A
Should it cover all kinds or what. Daylilies, roses, Passionflowers, Dahlias. That would be alot of forums to cover. Distantkin just did the Oldies helping Newbies RR. I don't know how many participated in that. It was a huge success though.
It would be none specific, although you would want to send seeds depending on the person's level of gardening. A few packages of seeds from the collected pool and zone appropriate.
I think it would depend on the person who subscribed. They would need to contact the person and give them a little bit of info. The harder to do seeds should come from the different forums who could help them along the way.
If someone organizes the whole thing and gets a forum set up or whatever it will take. I will do the welcome packages for subscribers only.
DH is going to kill me dead. lol
Tell DH it is a part of his IOU's and maybe that will suffice! LOL
LOL I'll never be able to collect on all of them. I guess it's time to get a sugar daddy that has a penchant for flowers and such as much as I do.
OMG that is just way too funny!
I know y'all are flower freaks, but how about including heirloom veggies in those packages for the new ones.
Veggies would be great too. Not just the heiloom, I think all should be included.
Well, I'd like to hook more people on saving heirloom seed, the core group is very small, group of dedicated gardeners. Do you realize there are about 5 major companies, 2 in Europe who hold the patents and rights on most of the newer hybrid varieties. It creeps me out.
Thats because they put a coating on the seeds or something in the seeds to keep you from seed saving. Thats how they make their money. Once they get it perfected you can only use their seeds and the fruits and veges from them won't have viable seeds for you to use the next year. So you have to buy from them again.
I have been meaning to ask the person that sent me the seeds, but what does second generation mean? Is this close to being something that is heirloom?
That creeps me out, too, I didn't know that cat. I have a small pack I received, I think I'll grow them. They aren't identified by name, just that they are heirloom. I'm sure if i take pictures when they produce fruit someone will be able to identify them, won't they?
I don't know that answer.
Well see how ya are, Robin! LOL
I'm bad, I know.
Naaaaaa just kidding!
no really I'm bad to the bone. lol
But it's a good question about the 2nd generation.
2nd generation means your seed should be a duplicate of the "mother" plant. And probably are a heirloom variety. Some of they newer hybrids also breed true. That's why keeping good records are so important, you can keep track those varieties. So you know how much you produced, any problems or concerns etc.
There is small core of very dedicated gardeners who not only save the seed, but are developing their own version of certain types of plants. Tomatoes especially. That's a whole nother ball of wax to do, but it's interesting. People on here do it with lilies and other plants, same difference.
These are seeds from one of my favorite flowers, Petunias. :) I fell in love with them this year when Shaun brought me a bunch home from Lowe's and made sure I saved them before it got too cold! I have been wanting to plant some of the seeds I got from the other DGer, but wanted to make sure how I am gonna do my garden first. :) Thanks for the info, doc!
Thanks Doccat, it's still very confusing. I'm better off letting more experienced growers do that and just grow the good stuff and share it. By no means do I think it's an easy job, I admire all those that do it. I'm not very good at the documentation and record keeping.
You can do it, Robynzest, I have 25 years worth of veggie gardening journals, not terribly organized, but have discovered the wonder of the DG journals.......WOOHOO, I've been putzing with that. I keep a steno pad and pen in my little garden carrier. When I finish something, I make notes on the spot. My memory isn't what it use to be and I know if I don't do it right then I'll forget something important.
LOL I know how that goes with the memory. I'm the one that always makes the lists and then forgets to take them with me.
Guess what guys-I am in!! :o)
I love helping new members because I was treated so nicely when I got here and have been welcomed with open arms by everyone who I meet for the first time still.
I have even just started writing to new members just to say hello and let them know that I am here if they need help.
I was planning on a Spring newbie swap, but if I get seeds in I can always send them out all year long. I really don't mind.
I was just wondering what in the world I can do with all of the bubble envies I have sitting here next to my desk-LOLOL
Just let me know if you want me to do it :o)
Robbi
Hear, hear, doccat! I'm new to DG and to seed-saving, but heirloom veggies are so nice, and the 'real' gardeners are so kind - we definitely need to encourage more of them to exist, especially in my age range and younger (I'm in my early 30's). I'm trying to get my kids into it (and it's working!), so we'll have more seed-savers in the future. :D
-Sev
Sev, you know how I am going to get my kids into it this year (11 and 6), they are going to have a competition to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin and sunflower plants :o)
I am planning on giving them both their own raised bed and I am hoping to build 2 teepee scaffoldings for their pumpkin vines to grow on and eventually sit in to hide :o)
My oldest is already saying he is going to win-LOL
YAYYYYYYY Robbi is back! :)
Well Robbi it looks like we're in this thing together. How do you think we ought to get this started, a welcome forum or just taking names off the new subscriber list?
I have already contacted Admin about it to see if there was something they had in mind :o)
Care to wait until after the holidays and see what they think?
I already write to new members and have been offering seeds for a SASE so far no one has gotten back-I am thinking it is because of the season :o)
I am sure we can work something out that will not only be good for the new members, but also keep Dave happy because they will renew their subscription :o)
Got to go jump in the shower....Happy Holidays!!!!!
Thanks Robbi, After the holidays is fine with me. I will be gone until the 3rd anyway, my seeds are with me so I can separate the W/S and the S/S, what I want and what I don't and all that stuff.
Need to go start dinner now. Later all. Fa la la la la la la la