HSL...what are you ordering this year?

[Deb P]

I've received my copy of the Heritage Seed Library catalogue for this year, but I'm having trouble deciding what to order............what has everyone else requested? :-\

[Deb P]

[pigeonseed]

That's that one where you have to pay to be a member, isn't it? I'd like to do it one day, when we've got a bit more spare money.

so, er... the answer's nothing, sorry!

What are your current favourites?

[Deb P]

Yep, you do have to pay to be a member of the HSL, and you are limited to six packets of seeds per year so it certainly isn't a cheap way of obtaining the seeds.

Unless you can swap with someone you can't legally buy the majority of these seeds anywhere, so if you want to get your mitts on some you have to sign up.

On the plus side, most of these seeds you can save yourself for future use. I have been a member for quite a few years now, so I'm inclined to try 'new' things (to me!), some turn out well, others not so well. I try and put some of my saved seeds in the seed swaps so they get spread around more widely for others to try as well. I think it's a cause worth supporting, although I'm sure others will disagree ...... ;D

Last year I had mostly climbing french beans, this year I'm looking at the peas and tomatoes....still dithering..... ::)

[cornykev]

Well Deb being a bit of a tight wad I buy seeds in the sales all year round, so I only need spuds and onion sets, good job you reminded me though I better check I have all that I need for this season.  ;D ;D ;D

[saddad]

I went for Silvery Fir Tree tomato,
Radish pasque,
Carrot Red Elephant,
Pea Ne Plus Ultra ( as i think mine have got "mixed" at some point)
Tomato Tangella again after 15 years I think it has lost some purity....
and Melon Green nutmeg...
already posted.
Potato day at Ryton on 24th/25th January...
Here's to a very Happy New Year!!  ;D

[Dadnlad]

I'm hoping Santa will be getting me membership this year ;) ;D

[Deb P]

Decided...at last, sent off the form today..

Tomatoes 'Russian Red' and 'Orange Heart'

CFB 'Mrs Lewis's Purple Podded'

DFB 'Brighstone'

Peas 'Tutankhamun' and 'Victorian Purple Podded'
;D

[Sparkly]

I was looking into this. How much do you get in a packet of seeds? Do you think it is worth it?

[saddad]

In a straight financial sense it isn't worth it... Memebership is around £30 ish and you get six packets a year. Peas and Beans tend to be in 10/20's Toms etc 20/50 smaller seeds up to 100 or so carrots up to 500. But you do get access to varieties that are no longer commercially available.
PS Mine arrived today as an early Xmas pressie, all I asked for (see above) and a lucky dip Euromoney Tomato.  ;D

[Tee Gee]

Can I suggest something here?

OK I have already decided what I am going to grow in 2009 but would be interested in taking this thread a bit further and that is this;

Tell us what you would like to grow forgetting what you can and can't then letting the A4A members suggest varieties.

From these replies we might get a trend as to what gives us all  best return for our money, particularly in these ever price increase times.


so over to you Deb............

[Deb P]

I've almost decided what I'm going to grow for 2009, nowhere as organised as yourself TeeGee!

I've already put my HSL order in for this year, but am always happy to swap the saved seeds of the no longer commercially available varieties for others to grow and enjoy....perhaps I should start a 'heritage' seed thread to see if anyone would like to pool recources as you suggest? I don't have a list of varieties I particularly 'need', but if had to post what I would 'like', the list would be endless! Some thing you don't know you need until you see them.. ;D

[realfood]

I see that The 2009 Heritage seed library catalogue includes the variety Tommy Toe. I grew this variety last year with commercially sourced seed and I would give a slightly different description to that in the catalogue.
I would describe the size of the fruit as being medium, much bigger than cherry sized.
I grew it as it was claimed that it was the Australian taste test winner. I thought that the taste was only average, but maybe the extra sun in Australia makes a difference to the taste.

[saddad]

Sadly there are some synonyms (?) and badly named seeds out there. HDRA ?growOrganic have released some of their varieties to commercial seed companies. I'm sure results/taste like yeild will vary... grow and keep what you like...  :-\

[Tee Gee]

grow and keep what you like

An excellent piece of advice!

I was thinking along these lines when I stated what I did above.

This might be considered sad or unadventurous but I never put all my eggs in one basket i.e. the bulk of varieties I use are tried and tested by me over a number of years.

Having said that I try to keep up to date by trying out some newer varieties i.e. those that catch my eye and sound to have potential.

When trying out a new variety they amount to about 10-20% of the total I grow and the remainder is of the varieties I know that I can grow best, i.e. 'bankers'

( Not that that is a good word these days ::) )
 

So I'm with Saddad on this one.