[WG.]

 friday socks! I am never awake enough to know the difference.

Just go with the usual.  January socks, February socks, etc

[David.]

Hi David

How do you select which plants to save the seed from?

Sam

Read book 'Seed to Seed' Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Gegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth.

Try everything (except brassicas - but save radish for sprouting seed).

Save from end of rows or marked plants.

Save from different plants of same type, say sunflowers with bloom size suitable for cutting (grown in succession), plus those with large heads for hen food (one early planting to ensure ripening). Or with marrows saving on eating quality, storing quality or size (one of my indulgences is going for the biggest marrow class in the village show).

Etc,

[Sam K.]

Thanks David,

Do you feel that your marrows are getting bigger by this selection?

Sam

[David.]

Marrows started at 24 lbs (without much feeding)and expecting 40 - 50lbs this year (and I'm still learning about feeding).

I re-select every year, but keep all saved seeds for a few years incase I want to go back and start again with a strain that has not improved/failed.

The original seed came from a fellow plotter, who when going to pick his marrow early in the morning of the show, tripped over it in the dark and broke his ankle. He did not have a car so asked his brother to give him a lift with his marrow. Unfortunatley, his brother was also entering the giant marrow compettion and refused to take him in case his brother beat him!

I consider it just a bit of fun, but my 11 year old daughter who also grows them enjoys beating the old handsl. I can't be bothered with any other show vegetables (except I'm also going for the giant potatoes this year).

[splodger]

i save everything i can.

i always save my tom seeds ripe ones as mentioned before - but i just wash then in a seive and seperate the gel from the seed with a small, sharp knife - it's "fiddlytherapy"

i keep beans, chilli & sweet peppers, garlic, rocket, peas, squash, parsley, coriander.

this year i kept back some spuds bought from a local farmer and melon seeds from one i bought in a shop - the seeds have germinated well.

i collect flower seeds from peoples gardens - most won't come true, but i don't mind a colour mix.

i also take cuttings of whatever i can get and bring them on.

next year i'm going to try cucumbers and whatever else i can find.

[earthmagic fairy]

i use kitchen towel to save my tomatoe seed whenever i slice a tomatoe i mop up the seeds with paper kitchen towel  label it by writng on the towel  let it dry out then i cut circles the size of my pots put soil in pot nearly to top pop the cut paper towel with dryed seeds in pot lightly cover with compost  and most of the seeds come through ............not brought tomatoe seeds for years :?: