Dealing with Disappointing Vegetable Seed

One of the really difficult things to deal with when gardening is anticipating that a seed will grow and produce a specific way and having the seed produce something completely different. Especially if what the seed produced is less desirable than what the grower was anticipating. If a gardener planted seed anticipated growing a nice large red sandwich tomato, and ended up growing some yellow cherry tomatoes, they may be quite miffed. How can a seed supplier advertise one type of tomato, provide something completely different? Should gardeners and growers just take this in stride, or should they complain? What is the “right” thing to do? Should I just ignore the problem? Should I contact the seed company about the problem, or should I do something else?

 

 

This seed was no longer germinated at over 80%, from 2021.

 

 Although things like this can be frustrating, they are not uncommon when dealing with heirloom vegetable varieties. Not only do vegetable varieties change over time, but the incentive to maintain cultivars often wanes over the years. Unfortunately, while I would prefer to work with the very best genetic traits that are typical of a specific cultivar, I am sometimes provided with what seems to be the very worst seed. If no other source for the variety can be found, I have to consider the time and energy I have to clean it up and compare that with the opportunity I have to work with other varieties that may have much more promise. While everything in life cannot be quantified, because life is short – and despite disappointments – if I continue to work on varieties with the most potential, things will eventually work out.

 

 

Yet again in 2022, Newer seed germinating poorly.

 

 

So – what would most gardeners do? Beginning gardeners may do nothing, but most would likely experienced gardeners would just lose trust in the company they purchased from. Next season, they would purchase their seeds from another supplier.

While bananas can grow in my climate (and often do) they are definitely a tropical plant. Here are some pictures of my Grand Nain banana trees. I am happy to grow them another year, but if they do not produce by this coming year, I may just remove them to grow something that will actually produce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preserving Squash by Air Drying

I know that this is in Italian, but here's an idea that Carol Deppe mentioned in one of her books that she borrowed from Native Americans to preserve and use their squash for longer. It is really nice to see pictures of the process and know that people are still using this same technique today as demonstrated by an Italian Heritage Food Association. So to those of you who have grown your summer squash for too long or your winter squash for not long enough, here is another option to preserve your harvest for later.

Consuming the Entire Zucchini Plant

Do you think that you would ever eat the entire zucchini plant? Here's a little more "how to" from an organization that works to promote regional agriculture and agricultural practices in Southern Italy. From my understanding, before consuming the stem and leaves, it helps to remove the stringy fibers. So next time you think about tossing that zucchini plant, try eating it instead!

Entrusting Stewardship of a Carosello Variety

When I began gardening as a hobby, I never thought I would be growing gourmet cucumbers. In Tucson, I was just happy to grow anything that would taste decent and wanted to share what I enjoy with others.

 

In 2021 I entrusted stewardship of the Light Carosello Leccese with Uprising Seeds. I felt that, given their more northern latitude, a very short season variety would fit their needs much more than a longer-season variety, such as the Barattiere or the Long Dark Armenian cucumber. They were able to grow it out and it did well for them. While this is just one variety, it was very nice to have at least one company shouldering the responsibility of stewarding at least one of my higher-quality carosello cucumber varieties.They are already selling it.

While I am still very unsure about how this kind of competition will affect my hobby business, it is wonderful for my well-being.

After years of working to preserve and share these varieties, I am beginning to understand why heritage seedsavers cherish their heirloom varieties. The hope that what you have worked for will endure. Because of how much I love delicious rare cucumber varieties, I would never wish to be the last person to grow them.

With all the cucumber cultivars that I work with, it is a relief to know that some of these may continue to be produced for longer than I'll be around.

Again, hopefully the link works. In any case, here is their current offering:

https://uprisingorganics.com/collections/melon/products/carosello-leccese-light