#1 Tipsy and #2 Green Giant x Yellow Submarine F1

#3 Dice’s  Mystery Black

#4 Jaune Flamme a wonderful French heirloom tomato

#5 Sungold

#6 Purple Haze F1

#7 OSU Blue

The bridge was out, so we had to take a detour, but it was all worth it. The folk there are testing, and comparing heirloom and a bit more recent varieties of tomatoes.

They had a huge [...]]]> This weekend, I traveled to Washington on the Brazos to see the South East Texas Tomato Festival!

The bridge was out, so we had to take a detour, but it was all worth it. The folk there are testing, and comparing heirloom and a bit more recent varieties of tomatoes.

They had a huge range of tomatoes for the tasting. Seriously they had tables covered with a wide range of samples that they were quite generous with. I came away with a bit more than I can manage, but I will have to try. I have never seen so many different tomatoes side by side.

I am rather used to reinventing the wheel whenever I start researching. These wonderful folk have done major research and have produced wonderful data and evidence side by side, that I could see, touch and taste!

I managed to give a few Magenta Spreen plants away, and a few I’itois Onions as well, so I don’t feel too guilty. But indeed I am in these folks debt! The enjoyment, information and seeds that I came home with are treasures indeed!

Here are the tomatoes they gave me to take home and get seeds from!

Most of these are small to medium. I prefer smaller because they mature faster and I am more likely to get some before the bugs and birds consume them. The big one in the middle however was too much to pass up. It is a near perfect balance of tomato qualities and it is named in honor of the great Paul Robeson! I had to have it!

There are 15 varieties here for me to try out. Two of them are mysteries, since I managed to fail on documenting them.

Mystery Tomato number 6, Purple somethingorother.

Mystery Tomato number 12, labeled Red Odd. I guess that is it’s name now.

After extracting seeds, these tomatoes made a wonderful fresh tomato sauce!

I saved the seeds in their juice.

Then I covered the juice and seeds with plastic wrap.

Within three or so days mold will have covered the juice, and the goop will be really slimy and very acidic. This will kill most tomato diseases. Then I will wash the seeds in a strainer and spread them on cloth to dry. After they no longer stick to things, I will put them in packets for next year and plant a few of each for this year.

And yes, I made the rack for the shot glasses. A chunk of cedar with holes drilled in it. I added feet to it so the shot glasses don’t touch the table below. Simple enough, but it will keep the seed ordered and manageable.

Bob

Dry Pods

Split Pods

Clean Seeds

I am quite sure that someone has a much better way to collect basil seed,  there is no way that what I am  doing  would work commercially.   I will however share [...]]]> Basil is a delightful grace in the yard, and fairly easy to grow as long as you have good seed to start with.

I am quite sure that someone has a much better way to collect basil seed,  there is no way that what I am  doing  would work commercially.   I will however share the method that has worked pretty well for me.  If anyone out there has a better method I would be greatful for the information.

Here is some lemon basil going to seed.  The dry stems have already lost their seed.  The green tufts just above where it has dried, still have seed in them.  As the plant drys, the seeds will fall out.  A tuft or two above and the seed is not yet mature.

in the picture below it is too late, the seed is gone.

Here is a flower stalk removed and viewed from the bottom.  Right where the brown at the bottom meets the green at the top, black seeds in green ‘bells’ can be seen.

Despite only being able to harvest a few of the ripe seed, one stalk can provide quite a bit.  Notice the tiny black seeds at the bottom of the bowl.

Here is a different sort of basil.  It produces a head.  This is a nice sweet tasting basil with a touch of cinnamon scent.

Below you can see one bright flowering head at the top and a duller head down at the bottom.

The duller head is more mature and is producing seed.

When I turn it over you can see the black spots where the seeds are.

A bit of massaging and shaking allowed me to gather enough to be sure I can grow this again next year.

Bob

The best initial packet is a paper one.  [...]]]> Zip lock bags are pretty much the rage for seed storage these days.  However, they are quite inferior in some ways.  They keep moisture in, so they can reduce the storage life of seeds and they can promote mold.  For keeping moisture out, they are great.

The best initial packet is a paper one.  After the seeds totally dry, then putting them in a ziplock is nice, especially if you plan to freeze them.

Here is how I make my seed packets.  These things work great, they can even hold flour without leaking, and still be opened and closed back again.

First you take a sheet of nice fairly heavy weight paper.

Then you fold it in half

Then you fold the free edges over.

If you have really fine seed, then you should fold that over one more time.

Then you flip it over, and fold an angle down on the corner.

The edge that was folded over once or twice is the edge being folded over.

You do this on both ends.

When you flip it back over, it looks like this.

Then you fold the points under the flap.

The finished product looks like this.

It is easy to label.  To fill it, you unfold one end, and open it up!

Here is the open end, I just put a bunch of okra seed in it.

Then you fold it back down.

All done!

These packages are inexpensive, quick to make, can be opened and closed, and seeds can still continue to dry while in them.

Bob