After a very frustrating last few weeks of chasing deer out of the garden, I was able to salvage at least three quarters of what I planted, for seed. Unfortunately, the pictures couldn’t be taken as they were a bit nibbled on the ends etc.

If you think I’m joking about the deer from H E double Hockey Sticks, they even ate my Lupine (LABELED DEER RESISTANT) down to nubbins, not to mention, they picked it up with the last bite (5 gallon bucket, soil and all) and tipped it upside down.

These beasts managed to find their way into an 8 foot fence, that was guarded by two dogs, ate down every Dahlia plant, Rudbeckia plant not to mention more than 10 fig trees and 6 large grape plants. What is left are leafless stems that will hopefully survive. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to take cuttings from them until next year.

Anyway, it’s slow going, but the tomato seed database is coming along. I’m less than half way done, but it’s finally coming together. Currently, there are another 70 or so varieties drying with another 22 or so fermenting. They’ll all be added shortly, but take a stroll through and see if there is anything you like.

http://heirloomtomatopatch.com/heirloom_tomato_seeds/

In the next few weeks, I plan on putting together a drawing for heirloom seed packages. I'll explain more later, but for now....

Happy Gardening

Well it has been a frustrating yet rewarding experience of Tomato Gardening this year. As I may have mentioned, we have some aggressive deer that think they own the land we reside on. They have figured out how to penetrate an eight foot fence, 3-6 times per day. They eat anything and everything in their path, and they could care less if you want seed, they’ll simply slurry them all over the ground as they munch munch away at your hard work and efforts.

So, needless to say, it has been a strategic harvest this season. Though several varieties that I had planted, didn’t survive the deer attacks, I did end up with a nice variety of saved seeds. I’m still in the process of fermenting many of them, but with about 150 varieties saved from the nearly 200 planted, I didn’t do too badly.

Once the seeds are dry, I’ll be posting more available on the website.

Here are a few pictures of the process….

Needless to say, my kitchen counter is COVERED with seeds drying and fermenting.

Next season will be AWESOME!!!!

Let me ask you this: How many strangers, have you given a plant to? Have you ever frequented a store and offered to share seed or a plant from something out of your garden? Have you ever stumbled into someone in the nursery section of a store and ended up offering plants to them?

Quite honestly, I can say, “I have”, to all of the above. Not only have I started conversation in the local WalMart, which ended up with me returning to meet the wonderful lady I met in the garden section, to share my plants, but I’ve also returned to stores where I’ve offered plants as well as seeds and shared them with the employees behind the counter. I have to say, yes, I’m a bit eccentric, but I really enjoy sharing with people. It was pretty funny to see people with their questioning looks as I walked in a store with a bag full of tomato plants to “GIVE” to a stranger behind the counter. All I can say to that is that the Good Lord has provided, from all over the world, LOADS of seed for me to grow, the ability to grow them well and an avenue to share, so I need to share with others.

That isn’t even remotely close to how many plants I’ve given to friends and family. I have plants all over the country that have been either shipped out, hand delivered or even picked up at my home. I always plant too many, but I always know that someone will enjoy them as much as I do.

So when will you share your works of art? Oh yes, those beautiful plants and saved seeds are absolutely works of art!

Imagine being the reason a family is able to put fresh produce on the table. Imagine a family in need, being able to supply fresh food to their family or even that family who has never grown anything from seed, enjoying the amazing flavors of home grown, fresh out of the garden produce. What a wonderful feeling!

So SHARE A PLANT / SEEDS from your garden! If everyone that knew how to grow plants, would share just a couple, it would make the world a better place.

Tomatoes are coming on, so you need to save seed from your favorites to grow next year!

Well, you have those wonderful heirloom tomatoes that you have harvested ripe, right off the vine. I do hope you grew enough that you are able to can or freeze some for later use. Oh home grown canned tomatoes are so much better than store bought. I may have to give you instruction on how to can them.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. How can you keep growing those yummy tomatoes without having to purchase plants or seeds again next year? Or maybe even share some of them with a friend, neighbor or family member.

Saving seed from a tomato is very easy. Just make sure the tomato you are trying to save seed from is NOT a hybrid. It does not have to be an heirloom, but it cannot be a hybrid if you want it to grow true to what you had in your garden.

As you may already know, tomato seeds have a protective gel around them to keep them from sprouting. So this needs to be removed in order to get them to germinate later on.

First take the tomato and slice it in half. Squeeze all of the juice and seeds into a small container.

I use Styrofoam ice cream cups that you can pick up at your local cash and carry or one of the large wholesale supply warehouses. They come with lids and you can label the outside to remember what type of seeds they are.

Next you need to double the contents, that you just squeezed into the container, with water. So if you squeezed an ounce, you would put in about an ounce of water. It is not an exact science, but approximately double. I’ve tried without water and ewww!! It’s still not pleasant, but it’s less disgusting with the water in it.

Stir the contents and either cover with a paper towel and a rubber band or use one of the cup covers that allows it to breath. Just note that if you leave it open, the water will evaporate and it will attract fruit flies.

Store the cup or container, in a warm area for about 3 days. The back of your counter is a perfect place. This will allow the contents to ferment. The fermentation process actually breaks down the gel casing and treats the seeds, giving them anti-bodies to protect against certain bacteria. I’ve heard of other methods that give instant results, however I am leery of trying them as they are not fermented, and I really do not want to take chances with my treasured tomato seeds.

After the 3 days, you’ll find a container with stinky muck in the bottom. There are two ways to do this, but I prefer the outcome when I use a fine mesh strainer. Pour the contents into the strainer and run under cool water. With your finger, gently rub the seeds against the strainer to remove all the tomato debris from the seeds. Continue until you have nothing left but clean seeds. From underneath, use a paper towel to blot as much of the water off the seeds as possible. The other method is to continue to run cool water over the seeds and pour out the top water, until the water is clear of tomato debris. As you continue, the tomato pulp, debris and immature seeds will wash out and the viable seeds will sink to the bottom. Turn the strainer upside down on a plastic, ceramic or Styrofoam plate. I don’t use paper plates due to the fact that the seeds will stick to them as they dry. Tap the bottom of the strainer or container (depending on what method you used) so that all the seeds come out on the plate. Set aside to dry for a few days and viola, you have just saved your own tomato seeds. Store seeds in a dry, cool place.

You will find that these seeds, if harvested from vine ripe tomatoes and stored properly, will be more fresh and more viable than those you purchase from the store.