North Atlanta Seedsavers

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Comment by amy on December 4, 2009 at 9:03am

I saw a Useful Post on seed saving at the blog Simple Green Frugal Coop, written by coop member Gavin. The blog post gave an especially helpful tip about how to isolate members of the squash/melon/cucumber family, one flower at a time, using either a rubber band or pantyhose:

# Firstly select male and female flowers the evening before they are due to open. You can tell this because they will be rigid and have some yellow on the seams of the closed bud. # Close each flower with a rubber band or some masking tape or wrap the entire flower in some pantyhose and tie it at the stem so no insects will be able to get at the flower at first light. # In the morning cut the male flower off at the base of its stalk and take off the petals to expose the male part. Open the flower and rub the male part into the female part. You could use a few different male flowers from the same species to imitate the way a bee pollinates, but I have found that this was not necessary when I did it..
# After the pollen is well coated on the female part, shut or cover the female with pantyhose again until the flower withers.

The entire post contains plenty more useful information, and is well worth a read.

Comment by amy on November 24, 2009 at 5:31pm

Thanks, Kate, for posting what you've saved! How did the seed saving for everyone else go this year?

I saved seeds from several herbs that aren't ---I don't think--- heirloom varieties (fennel, dill, basil, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro) and some zinnias. I also saved some Pigott Family Heirloom Cowpeas (crowder peas) that I grew for the first time. The original seeds were from Sandhill Preservation (one of my favorite seed sources). And, I saved some Tom Thumb lettuce (my first time for saving lettuce seed).

I also have, of course, little sweet potatoes, both Beauregard and Puerto Rican, from which to grow slips for next year's planting.

I haven't tried any seeds from plants that require separation and hand-pollination to avoid cross breeding, and I won't be saving any of the Dakota Black popcorn because I didn't grow enough (200 plants is the recommended number that I have seen for corn). My yard isn't big enough for a whole cornfield, so we will just eat that quart of popcorn.

Hope everyone had a successful gardening year, and that no one's garden washed away in The Big Rain!

-Amy, NW of Atlanta

Comment by Michelle W. Flannery on October 16, 2009 at 3:06pm

Hi Kate. I was telling folks more than a month ago that we are going to have a harsher winter than usual here in Georgia. It will be colder, longer, and wetter. We may get snow, several snows, and ice storms. And yes, it will start early.

How do I know this? Maybe my NA heritage has something to do with it, but I've been watching nature, following all the signs she lays down ahead of time (which my Cherokee father taught me how to do). I've been watching the seasons for a long time, watching how they change from year to year. The Almanac is backing me up this year. They predicted an October frost. Check it out in the discussion in the group Georgia Gardeners.
It's not going to be a mild winter this year. Better pull out your boots and your heavy coats!

Comment by kate copsey on October 16, 2009 at 11:03am

If anyone would like to talk about saving seeds on the radio show (Ameirca's Home Grown Veggie Show, 10am on www.radiosandysprings.com) - I am working on the November - Jan shows, so let me know if you want to share your knowledge.
Thanks
Kate
(ktcopsey@aol.com)

Comment by kate copsey on October 16, 2009 at 10:58am

What are you guys saving this year? Is it going to be too late if this frsot does arrive? I have harvested all the tomatoes and peppers, so some of those seeds I have, but what about the cool veggies?

Comment by kate copsey on October 16, 2009 at 10:49am

I see a frost watch is in effect for Sunday night? What is this - we are still in mid October????? My little green guys were first washed out by the floods 30wks ago and now they are going to be zapped by early frost!

Comment by Everett H. Scott on September 14, 2009 at 3:54pm

Hello,
I live in the northeast - Pennsylvania - but I am hoping you might help me find some seeds. I am looking for a variety of melon seeds called "Marie Antoinette," that I heard is supposed to be especially tasty. So far, I have not been able to find a source for the seeds online. Might anyone in your group have ever heard of these melons, and know of a possible source for them? Any leads would be appreciated. This is for next growing season, obviously.
Thanks.

Comment by kate copsey on September 12, 2009 at 7:05am

Rose Marie Nichols McGee will be on the Americas Home Grown Veggie Show today (Sat, 12th Sept). Rose Marie owns Nichols Garden Nursery (www.nicholsgardennursery.com) which sell veggies, herbs and hops among other things. They were one of the original catlogues that I ordered herbs from in the 1980s, and are now in their 60th yr!
Rose Marie is offering free seeds (new 2010 variety), so listen to the show 10am www.americaswebradio.com and find out how to get your seeds!

Comment by kate copsey on August 15, 2009 at 7:09am

today on America's Home Grown Veggie Show we have Atlanta Urban Farmer - Farmer D. He was nominated for the White House farmer last yr (didn't make the cut, but the White House Garden did!). Listen in at 10am at www.radiosandsprings.com and twitter us your questions. The show will be on itunes next week.

Comment by amy on May 29, 2009 at 7:07am

A friend whose family has lived in this area (west Cobb county) for generations is still growing the Puerto Rican sweet potatoes that his family has grown for more than 100 years. He will be planting his sweet potatoes late next week, but thinks he will have some slips leftover. He has offered some to another friend, and a dozen-or-so to me.

I have a small garden and will be planting just half a dozen. If I really get 12 or more, and end up extras, is anyone in this group interested in growing these? If not, don't worry, they won't go to waste (I know LOTS of gardeners).

I know it would be smarter to offer slips when I actually get them and know how many there are, but sweet potatoes take space and planning. It is possible that everyone's garden is full, but it is also possible that it is not too late for one of you to re-arrange things to make room.