Best discovery from a bonus or free pack of seeds

montanamato · January 25, 2009

I must be bored, but my seed starting mix won't be here for a few more days so...
Have you ever received a pack of seeds that you would not have ordered and then planted them to find out they did great...?
My favorite was a few years ago, I received a free pack of Savoy cabbage seeds . I always grow purple and green cabbage ,so I started a few savoy too...They grew twice as large as my other varieties and had about half the insect trouble of regular cabbage...Now I only plant Savoy and a few purple heads...
Have also had some great tomato seeds as a bonus from Sand Hill over the years...Fence Row, Porters, Red Beauty etc....So far this year only free carrots (very boring)....but I have high hopes for the sand hill order.
Anyone else have any good bonus discoveries....?

Jeanne

Nightshade · January 25, 2009

I was thrilled to get a packet of Sprite from TGS this year. I'm love good things that come in small packages.

I think carrots are boring, too. As veggies go, they're pretty cheap to buy and I can get the beneficial insect attracting effect by planting the left over tops here and there amongst the veggies.

Jan

akgardengirl · January 25, 2009

I've only had a couple of freebie packets but never planted them since the DTM was way beyond our season. Carrots wouldn't be that boring to me as I buy the locally grown in 25 lb. bags in the fall to eat during the winter.
Sue

simmran1 · January 25, 2009

Back in the '90's Totally Tomatoes sent a freebie tom seed, 'Hard Rock.' I went ahead and grew it and planted the thing.
The first thing I noticed was it was a great looking plant, with a sturdy stem that could stand up to gusty winds. Then it produced - OMG. I didn't have time for canning, so I took sackfuls to work everyday for 2 weeks. Since then it is a 'must grow,' just two plants and I'm busy (now canning) for the last two weeks of July.

kygreg · January 25, 2009

I also got Hard Rock from Totally Tomatoes in 2006; much the same results as simmran1.

veggie babe · January 26, 2009

ok here goes a dumb question!!!!!!!!!!! do you buy the carrots at the grocery store and plant the green tops in your garden? i know it sounds newbie,what can i say? thanks for all the good info. i love this site.
neva

Nightshade · January 26, 2009

Neva, you can grow out all kinds of grocery store produce, but the biggest surprises come from the rootcrops.

We had a deadbeat beet that became a beautiful red-leafed container plant. It gave us a few servings of cut and come again greens and the root got huge. I chopped it up and planted the parts. One put up some wimpy flowering stalk, the others , produced leaves although not ever again as vigorously. That old wilted beet taught me the greatest garden lesson I could have: Never be afraid to try..

I stuck two types of green onions into another pot and it was a good thing that it was a large pot, because they got very tall and and then they bloomed. Allium blooms! Pretty! And then one of them produced a set of bulbing onions!

Green onions make good cheaters, too. Add a row of them to a newly bed and Voila! Instant green in the veggie bed.

I put a sweet potato in water last yearand let it grow starter "slips." , I broke them off and planted them and though it was very late in the season,I still got small sweet potatoes!

You will have so much fun and learn so much with your container gardening! Nothing is sacred because nothing is permanent. If something doesn't work dump it or move it. If it works too well and ougrows its spot, transplant it!

Sorry, I didn't mean to get so off-topic. I just get excited for all the adventures ahead of new gardeners.

Jan

Sherry_AK · January 26, 2009

Neva -- Carrots are started very easily in the garden from seeds which are readily available on any seed rack. You'll be amazed to discover how many different varieties are available, including colors other than orange!

Sherry

veggie babe · January 27, 2009

thanks jan and sherry,still a lot to learn. it helps to have someone to ask that understands.
neva

patty_b · January 27, 2009

Many years ago, while part of the National Gardening Club/magazine, I received a pack of Top Sirloin Tomato seed to try. I have grown them every year since. Almost the only hybrid that I do grow. Someone was to receive tractors and big ticket items to trial and i got a pack of seeds.....but they were a "good result" item to try!! Patty

macmex · January 27, 2009

Back in 1984 Park Seed Co. sent us a nondescript packet of free tomato seed which was labeled Sunray VF. I didn’t have any idea how to find out what that tomato was like and Park did not answer me when I inquired. But I planted some and they turned out to be a favorite. I still grow Sunray, almost every year, as one daughter will eat no other fresh tomato.

Then, sometime in the late 80s there was this fellow in Seed Savers who had the irritating habit of sending seed requests without the proper reimbursement. His handwriting was terrible. It was hard to make out what he wrote. With each request he would enclose a packet or two of tomato seed, which he claimed to have bred himself. I threw them away…. Just a few years later other Seed Savers Exchange members began listing these varieties. Every single one received excellent reviews! Ow!

Then, through the Seed Savers Exchange I have learned that most often, when someone sends me something unsolicited, usually with a note along the line of “free gift,” or “you’ve got to try this,” I try it! These are often varieties for which someone else has already done a lot of trialing and concluded that they are very good. I’ve found this with cowpeas, beans, tomatoes and melons.

George

stormymater · January 27, 2009

I am looking forward to growing out three types of seed sent with orders - Arkansas Marvel & Dixie Golden Giant (thanks Gary) & Goldie from Marianna's seeds (thanks Marianna). Somehow they knew I am seeking that perfect glowing orb of my youth! LOL

maryinoregon · January 30, 2009

Never grown my freebies, but am thinking I will try some collards from a free packet this year.

And I have to agree with Jan and Sherry, experimenting is half the fun of gardening. It's amazing what works. I love finding the plants that grow out of my compost piles. I especially love the baby potatoes. One year I had lots of squash plants that came out of one pile. I carefully potted up what I could, gave some plants away and hoped for the best. One fellow got lots of winter squash, although I did not remember buying or planting that variety the year before.

Last year I threw some green onion seed, (scallions) from several packets labeled 2006 into the soil. I've always read that onion seed is good for a year and forget it after that. But it all came up, and beautifully too. It was in my neighbors' garden space and I had to pull it up at the end of the season. I hope they let me grow in their garden again this year. They have so much more room than I do.

piegirl · February 17, 2009

Last year Sand Hill enclosed a packet of Webb's Wonderful-English romaine and tolerant to heat - Thank you Glenn! That is the best romaine - a lot of body to the leaves, excellent flavor and the plants lasted until at least mid July. I let them so to seed and saved quite a bit and will try again this year. Piegirl

Colorado_west · February 25, 2009

Buy both bulk from seedhouse here and send off for seed. The piemento pepper couple were long and figure had got few hot ones in their seed. But they are sweet and really a great pepper. No idea what they are. Better than the fry peppers I grew. They turn red. Larger. I guess a bonus?

The white cherry I sent for was two cherries , the white one and larger pale yellow one. Two for the price ot one?

So only way to have more was to save seed. Yes, they grew long large red. And the cherry the same.

January 25, 2009	#1
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	Best discovery from a bonus or free pack of seeds I must be bored, but my seed starting mix won't be here for a few more days so... Have you ever received a pack of seeds that you would not have ordered and then planted them to find out they did great...? My favorite was a few years ago, I received a free pack of Savoy cabbage seeds . I always grow purple and green cabbage ,so I started a few savoy too...They grew twice as large as my other varieties and had about half the insect trouble of regular cabbage...Now I only plant Savoy and a few purple heads... Have also had some great tomato seeds as a bonus from Sand Hill over the years...Fence Row, Porters, Red Beauty etc....So far this year only free carrots (very boring)....but I have high hopes for the sand hill order. Anyone else have any good bonus discoveries....? Jeanne

January 25, 2009	#4
simmran1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Iowa Zone 5 Posts: 305	Back in the '90's Totally Tomatoes sent a freebie tom seed, 'Hard Rock.' I went ahead and grew it and planted the thing. The first thing I noticed was it was a great looking plant, with a sturdy stem that could stand up to gusty winds. Then it produced - OMG. I didn't have time for canning, so I took sackfuls to work everyday for 2 weeks. Since then it is a 'must grow,' just two plants and I'm busy (now canning) for the last two weeks of July. __________________ Tomatovillain

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January 25, 2009	#2
Nightshade Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So. California Posts: 178	I was thrilled to get a packet of Sprite from TGS this year. I'm love good things that come in small packages. I think carrots are boring, too. As veggies go, they're pretty cheap to buy and I can get the beneficial insect attracting effect by planting the left over tops here and there amongst the veggies. Jan

January 25, 2009	#3
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	I've only had a couple of freebie packets but never planted them since the DTM was way beyond our season. Carrots wouldn't be that boring to me as I buy the locally grown in 25 lb. bags in the fall to eat during the winter. Sue

January 25, 2009	#5
kygreg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,019	I also got Hard Rock from Totally Tomatoes in 2006; much the same results as simmran1.

January 26, 2009	#6
veggie babe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: east texas Posts: 686	ok here goes a dumb question!!!!!!!!!!! do you buy the carrots at the grocery store and plant the green tops in your garden? i know it sounds newbie,what can i say? thanks for all the good info. i love this site. neva

January 26, 2009	#8
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	Neva -- Carrots are started very easily in the garden from seeds which are readily available on any seed rack. You'll be amazed to discover how many different varieties are available, including colors other than orange! Sherry

January 27, 2009	#9
veggie babe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: east texas Posts: 686	thanks jan and sherry,still a lot to learn. it helps to have someone to ask that understands. neva

January 27, 2009	#10
patty_b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 487	Many years ago, while part of the National Gardening Club/magazine, I received a pack of Top Sirloin Tomato seed to try. I have grown them every year since. Almost the only hybrid that I do grow. Someone was to receive tractors and big ticket items to trial and i got a pack of seeds.....but they were a "good result" item to try!! Patty

January 27, 2009	#11
macmex Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma Posts: 102	Back in 1984 Park Seed Co. sent us a nondescript packet of free tomato seed which was labeled Sunray VF. I didn’t have any idea how to find out what that tomato was like and Park did not answer me when I inquired. But I planted some and they turned out to be a favorite. I still grow Sunray, almost every year, as one daughter will eat no other fresh tomato. Then, sometime in the late 80s there was this fellow in Seed Savers who had the irritating habit of sending seed requests without the proper reimbursement. His handwriting was terrible. It was hard to make out what he wrote. With each request he would enclose a packet or two of tomato seed, which he claimed to have bred himself. I threw them away…. Just a few years later other Seed Savers Exchange members began listing these varieties. Every single one received excellent reviews! Ow! Then, through the Seed Savers Exchange I have learned that most often, when someone sends me something unsolicited, usually with a note along the line of “free gift,” or “you’ve got to try this,” I try it! These are often varieties for which someone else has already done a lot of trialing and concluded that they are very good. I’ve found this with cowpeas, beans, tomatoes and melons. George

January 27, 2009	#12
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	I am looking forward to growing out three types of seed sent with orders - Arkansas Marvel & Dixie Golden Giant (thanks Gary) & Goldie from Marianna's seeds (thanks Marianna). Somehow they knew I am seeking that perfect glowing orb of my youth! LOL

January 30, 2009	#13
maryinoregon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 361	Never grown my freebies, but am thinking I will try some collards from a free packet this year. And I have to agree with Jan and Sherry, experimenting is half the fun of gardening. It's amazing what works. I love finding the plants that grow out of my compost piles. I especially love the baby potatoes. One year I had lots of squash plants that came out of one pile. I carefully potted up what I could, gave some plants away and hoped for the best. One fellow got lots of winter squash, although I did not remember buying or planting that variety the year before. Last year I threw some green onion seed, (scallions) from several packets labeled 2006 into the soil. I've always read that onion seed is good for a year and forget it after that. But it all came up, and beautifully too. It was in my neighbors' garden space and I had to pull it up at the end of the season. I hope they let me grow in their garden again this year. They have so much more room than I do.

February 17, 2009	#14
piegirl Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 791	Last year Sand Hill enclosed a packet of Webb's Wonderful-English romaine and tolerant to heat - Thank you Glenn! That is the best romaine - a lot of body to the leaves, excellent flavor and the plants lasted until at least mid July. I let them so to seed and saved quite a bit and will try again this year. Piegirl

February 25, 2009	#15
Colorado_west Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: western Colorado zone 5 Posts: 307	Buy both bulk from seedhouse here and send off for seed. The piemento pepper couple were long and figure had got few hot ones in their seed. But they are sweet and really a great pepper. No idea what they are. Better than the fry peppers I grew. They turn red. Larger. I guess a bonus? The white cherry I sent for was two cherries , the white one and larger pale yellow one. Two for the price ot one? So only way to have more was to save seed. Yes, they grew long large red. And the cherry the same.