Thank you from me too! Mine came yesterday and have already been "logged in" for 2010 planting. From the other thread I found out I needed tomatoes with 72 or less DTM and that is what you sent. Now if only the weather cooperates next year..... Thanks again.

I'm ready. I just need April to get here soon.

{{gwi:450432}}

Geez, Token, if you're looking for something to do until April, you can come to my house and build me some of those (uh, only problem is no house yet...LOL)

I gotta get me some of those too!

You're very welcome. The picture on Black Krim is our cat Tyler--he's king of the garden.

Drippy, I have one more bed left to build. I'll probably do that in the spring once the hoophouse comes down.

Token, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I have to thank Trudi too. I've dabbled in winter sowing for a few years, but being an apartment dweller I don't have much space for containers and management doesn't like 'stuff' sitting outside of the building.
This will be the first year I've requested seed from Wintersown.org, and will be my first attempt at WSing tomatoes. I received my seeds today, and it was so much more than I expected! And it was almost spooky, because they sent bonus zucchini seeds and I had used my last ones this summer! I will have so much fun sharing with neighbors and family! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Trudi!!
And Token, I really like how your beds look. I'm thinking of sneaking something similar onto the vacant lot next door. It's been for sale forever and the city clears it(bush-wacks)twice a year, but there's a strip they always miss that the machine can't reach. I might be able to put a couple of small raised beds there without causing an uproar.
You can't beat this forum for inspiration!

Not a hijack at all. I was going to have to find squash seeds this year. Trudi sent me those as a bonus pack. And I got the wintersown blend too. That's as many varieties as in all the other packs. I can't wait to taste some of these.

Thanks from me too. I received mine the
other day also.

Jim

Currently everyone's getting a bonus pack of zukes, until they run out and then I think next up is radish.

No and Jim, I'm glad you like the seeds.

(((HUGS))) Trudi -

Deb

Token - Those tomato varieties are fantastic!

Everyone else: How did you get seeds from Trudi? Did I miss the boat?

No, you didn't miss the boat ;-) You get six packs of different tomatoes. You need to send a filled in printout from the website to me with a SASE that has two stamps on it so I can mail back your seeds.

A long time ago I used to do a post or two in the seed exchanges with a list of tomatoes you could choose from, but the problem was that the list kept changing as varieties were exhausted--and then people would send me a SASE with requests for seeds I didn't have anymore. Sigh. So, I gave the list a permanent page of its own at WinterSown.Org. I just redid the list yesterday and currently there are about 120 varieties.

It's called the Your Choice Tomato SASE. You must use the printout from the site--fill it in with your first six choices and your four defaults. If you send a small donation with your list I will give you the six first choices and the four defaults, and with them send back a receipt--WSEO is a registered non-profit.

The majority of tomatoes that are offered on the list come from people who grow their own tomatoes and save their seeds. They send their bulk seeds to me, and then I pack them into smaller amounts and put on a label. The seeds go on the list. When I receive your two-stamp SASE I look at the printout to verify the date (important and you'll see on the list page why that is) and then I fill your SASE. Your seeds get sent back to you with a lovely brochure about how to safely save tomato seeds. So, if it works out for you, and you're so inclined, you have info on how to save your own tomato seeds.

This is a wonderful program that allows people to receive OP tomato seeds and also it is a venue for people who want to share their tomato seeds. There are lots of sizes, shapes and colors, different DTM dates too. If the list seems too overwhelming to you and you don't know what to choose, just send the printout and leave it blank. I will select for you based upon your zip code--when I pick for you I will select different sizes, shapes and colors which are appropriate for your garden. If you live up north I'm not going to send you a tomato that takes 90 days to ripen--it doesn't make sense, and if you live in the deep south I'm going to send you varieties that will handle high heat better than others.

Okay, good luck. Here's the link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Your Choice Tomato SASE

Trudi:

This is a wonderful service (and you must be a fast typist)! I have a business and can't imagine how you fulfill orders (we sell books - unlike seeds, they are big). Offering people an easy way to donate is a great idea.

I printed the form and am looking at the varieties. You may have the largest, most diverse listing of tomatoes in the country.

I grew heirloom tomatoes from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange for years before moving to a new place. I'm looking forward to growing from seed again but conditions are more challenging here (on the Chesapeake Bay - beautiful but very windy!). I'm working on a trellis system to use as a windbreak.

Thanks for taking the time to describe Your Choice Tomato SASE. You provide great information and a wonderful service at WinterSown.org.

Take care,
Pam

Trudi,

I am getting a SASE ready to go...

I am leaving it up to you on what seeds you send me for my zone 5 garden.

It was such cool summer I had hardly any tomatoes fruit and was not able to collect seeds. It did not feel like summer to me since none did well :(

Thanks for all you do!!! You are the reason i started WS'ing and I am so thankful

Pam,

I have a few sets of pigeon hole drawers--they're actually for organizing screws and nuts and bolts, but they're also just the right size for holding packs of tomato seeds. The system is alphabetical so that's easy enough to organize the packed seeds, but I'm practically blind as a bat, so that's why each variety of seeds has its own graphic. There's a matching label on the front of the pigeon hole drawers--I can't read the names without my glasses but I can recognize the pictures ;-)

You have a supply of mailers and boxes and puffy wrap or peanuts that you must use...people who send for seeds supply an addressed envelope--I supply the liner and the seeds. The liner is that brochure--those are pre folded and filled with "extras", all I need do is add the selected seeds and seal the envelope.

I've been sharing seeds for several years--and after a while I've made every mistake imaginable at least twice, but fortunately I learn from trial and error so I know all the steps to get from A to Z without having to recreate a process each time I do something. I do all my own graphics and printing--I have a big printer and a little pony printer too, one takes toner and one takes ink. I bought a letter folder too so now most of the brochures get a letter fold instead of a hand-done z-fold, it's only a little faster but saves my wrists. I pack the seeds myself but if I had 6k or so, I could buy a packing machine--I don't see that happening. Ever.

Thank you for the compliment on the list, it's as diverse as the people who have shared seeds into it and because of that there is something for everyone. These growers are passionate and come from all around the country, well, around the world.

We're windy here too, I'm just a few miles north of the Atlantic. If you use containers then do them in sets of threes, triangle shaped, and tie the stakes or cages together--the wind can't blow over a tripod. If you're doing in-ground then look into something called "Florida weave" for supporting the canes.

=============

Hi Karen,

I will take care in filling your SASE. I already have a few in mind that work well in the central US, but I won't spoil a surprise by letting you know now what they could be ;-) I've never been to Chicago but I know it's darn cold in the winter, and I would imagine you're quite humid because of the lake, so I will keep that in mind too. Oh, and there's that darn wind ;-O

T

Thanks Trudi!!! You are the best!
I am a little bit away from Chicago and it does get cold and windy here burrr....

YOU are AWESOME!

Neah, I'm a normal everyday person, I just do stuff...

sorry for hijacking the thread token....

I think you are awsome Trudi....
If I get some good tomatoes this year I will send you some seeds!!!
thanks,
Karen

I just used Trudi's "Save Your Own Tomato Seeds" pamphlet using a yellow heirloom tomato I bought at a Farmers' Market. Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute some of these seeds from the plants I grow next year. I don't know the specific name of the tomato - so would I be able to contribute it's seeds? Very hopeful thinking on my part that it will grow in the first place given this year's disasterous results! Also, should I be adapting this Ajax and Liquid detergent method for other vegetables. I'll be making a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving using a sugar/pie pumpkin purchased at either the grocery store or a local farm. The last (and only time I did this), I just cleaned off the seeds with water and am now letting them dry. Thanks for any advice.

That wold be wondeful, yes I would be delighted to share your seeds. I'm glad to know that the seed saving method worked well for you and that you want to use these seeds to grow your own plants this coming year. That's awesome.

If possible, try and get the variety name from the market--if you can't it's okay too. Just share the seeds with a description and (if you've got one) a photo too. They'll be shared as Zhazeen's Yellow--or something similar, or they might also go into a blend which is where many anonymous but wonderful tomatoes wind up.

The Blend is shared generously--it's a larger portion than the single variety packs. The Blend is very nice because it takes some of the stress out of growing simply because you don't have the ability to share your XYZ compared to someone else's XYZ. The Blend is entirely about the excitement of learning through observation and the success of watching many different sizes, shapes and colors develop and mature in your own garden. It's for foodies, it's for beginners, and it's for experienced gardener's too who just want to have some fun with what they grow. The Blend is also great for people wanting to save seeds from the best of the best. This way they can each year improve their chance of success by culling out the weaker plants and keeping the most vigorous and tastiest varieties to grow on year to year. Each year repeat the same process of culling the weak and keeping the best and you wind up with a wonderful set of tomatoes that perform well in your regional climate--in your backyard.

This past summer The Blend was sent out to a hospital in Los Angeles doing a community health fari--they're teaching people how to grow a salad garden as a means of healthily and inexpensively supplementing a family's meals. With help from people on this forum The Blend label was translated into Spanish. Now, all blend packs have two labels with the same information--one is Spanish and the other is English.

So, if you have success growing and saving seeds from your tomatoes next year--it's up to you how you want to share them. They could be Zahzeens's Yellow or become a part of The Blend.

oooh can I have some of the blend? That is awsome, I love surprises.

I send my envie and stamps today!

thanks!

Okay, just put it down on your printout,

I sent in my envelope for seeds earlier this week. I am excited about growing new (to me) varieties!

Thank you so much for this offer. You makes lots of people happy. It is fun thinking about next spring already and also fun looking up info on the varieties on your list.

That's true, it's a wonderful list. I'm hoping in the coming year to increase it to 180 vareites which is pretty much all the room I can give it. 180 is quite possible, if I did more my head would explode ;-O

Karende--The Blend is now in your envelope. With other packs too--but I'm not saying what they are, hehehe ;-)

Thank you Trudi! I came home last night to an awesome selection of Tomatoe's! I can't wait to give them a try and start saving Tomatoe seeds for following years!

Thank you so much Trudi!! You are the total BOmb!!!! **huge smile** i get to share these seeds with some of my friends here in town :') AND........ i got violetto cauliflower!! i really do hope that these grow this year!! **big smile** talla wanted to rip the package open!! Hee Hee!! LOL i kinda wanted to open it all nicely like a christmas present!! LOL your just an angel in discuise!! **big smile** ~medo

Thank-you so much, Trudi! I just got the seeds and I'm so excited to try them! I'm in Florida and can actually plant a few of them already. The seed envelope even got me in the mood to get going on my Christmas gift shopping. Nothing like receiving to want to give back. Thanks again for the joy.

Anna

You're welcome Anna!

You're way ahead of me, I haven't even thought of shopping yet. Better start making a list.

Thanks Trudi. I didn't know I messed up my list. I intended to move a first choice to a second choice and instead ended up with it in both places somehow. You did good. Carol

Hi Carol,

Sometimes I notice a duplication on a list--you are not alone ;-) Usually, I just switch in a default choice.

T

The tomato seeds and bonus seeds came today. I am very pleased. Thank you for all the seeds and the little handwritten note. I don't know how you have time to personally thank someone for including a few extra stamps as a donation. This is a great opportunity to try different tomatoes for the cost of postage. You can't beat that.