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elliesfun

NEW: New: I.E. Heritage Heirloom Swap

elliesfun
10 years ago

This is the last "Incredible Edible" swap until November. I am sure many of you have already been planting your gardens. Here in Eastern Washington are just beginning to think about planting early spring crops.

All heirloom seeds are open pollinated which allows the gardener to collect seeds from this year's crop for planting the next year. If you are not sure if your seeds are heirlooms, please look them up on the internet before sending. If the seed package says F1 on it, they are hybrids. DO NOT SEND hybrids or GMO seeds.

DETAILS OF THIS SWAP:
1. Swap open to United States residence only.
2. You may send as many packets as you would like but not more than 3 of any variety. As an example, please do not send all squash seeds and not want any squash seeds in return. It's not fair to the others since they will be getting lots of squash and not a variety.
3. Please send your seeds in a bubbler mailer. I will reuse the envelope to return your seeds to you.
4. Make a list of the seed varieties that you are including. Makes the sorting easier and please be sure to put your gardenweb name on the packets so you won't get them returned to you by mistake.
5.Please include a wish list but this depends on what is sent in. Seeds should not be older than 2012 and they can be commercial or from your garden.
6. The deadline for signing up for this swap is April 15th and seeds need to be mailed by April 20th. I will try to have the seeds sorted and on their way back to you by the first week of May.
7. In your bubble mailer include:
...your seeds for the exchange
...A label with your return address
...Enough postage to get your package back to you plus a little extra for added weight of beans, etc.
...A list of the seeds you are sending
...A wish list
...Extra money for delivery conformation is you want this

After signing up remember to send me an email asking for my address. In the email please include your full name, mailing address and GardenWeb name.

OK! Are you ready to join the swap? Who wants to be first? You know you wanna! We all love to eat so let's start going through our boxes to see what to send.

Ellie

The picture below was taken last September at the National Heirloom Expo at the Sonoma Co. Fairgrounds in California. Love that pile of squash. Picture is of Gere, Emilee, Sasha Gettle from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and me.

This post was edited by farmergirl2009 on Sun, Mar 31, 13 at 20:36

Comments (43)

  • borge99
    10 years ago

    May I join?

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Good morning Karen...of course you may join. Putting you first in line. Have a great day!

    Ellie

  • borge99
    10 years ago

    Thank you, you too!

  • socalgardengal
    10 years ago

    Count me in please, thanks Ellie

  • zzackey
    10 years ago

    Me too! What a pile of squash! I just got seeds from Baker Creek. They are very generous and they have a wide variety of seeds in their catalog.

  • cryptid
    10 years ago

    Hey there Ellie! Count me in! :)

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Hi everyone,

    Been working out in the yard today...another beautiful day!

    Thank you for signing up for the heirloom swap. Those that have signed up for the swap are:

    borge99
    socialgardengal
    zackey
    cryptid
    farmergirl2009

    Since the holidays I have been spending a lot of time on the computer looking up beans. I just didn't realize that there were so many different kinds and categories. For instance:
    FAVA beans....I never heard or tasted them until I read the following.
    These are meaty, strongly flavored beans and have been around for ages, and they work well in side dishes, soups, or salads. The larger ones are the best. Tender fresh fava beans are available in the fall and are much better tasting than canned, dried, or frozen ones. Fresh young fava beans need only be shelled, but mature beans must also be peeled to rid them of a waxy skin that surrounds each bean. The best way to do this is to blanch the shelled beans for a minute in boiling water, then plunge them into cold water, and then pull off the skins. Sounds like a lot of work to me!

    Well guess I better get to bed. Lots of work to do tomorrow.
    Have a good night.

    Ellie

  • seedkeeper
    10 years ago

    I would like to join also please. Thanks. Jamie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Welcome to the swap seedkeeper. Jamie don't forget to email me for my address to send your seeds to.

    Cannellini beans are a variety of white beans popular in Central and Southern Italy, particularly in Tuscany. Other names for the bean include white kidney bean and fazolia bean. They are similar to white navy beans or haricots, as they are known in Britain. These large white beans are often mistaken for great northern beans, as the two are so alike in appearance.
    Before cooking, cannellini beans must be thoroughly rinsed. When cooked, the cannellini bean is fluffy and creamy. They are typically known for their smooth texture and nutty flavor. They are especially good in soups and stews, but excellent just as itself or in a salad.
    In Tuscany, the beans are often eaten dried instead of cooked. In other parts of Italy, the beans are a popular accompaniment to tuna and pasta dishes containing poultry. In the United States, vegetarians often utilize the hearty beans as a fish or chicken substitute. They can be found throughout America and Britain in minestrone soups and various bean salads.
    The Italian white-kidney type commonly called Cannellini, while it is a shellie, deserves mention on its own. It does not seem available in anything but bush form, so thatâÂÂs how we would grow these beans.
    Beware something called a âÂÂrunner cannelliniâÂÂ; it may be a good eating bean in itself, but it is not any sort of true cannellini, but rather just what its name says: a white runner bean.

    That's it for beanology tonight (if that is a word).

    Ellie

  • pickleme
    10 years ago

    Sounds like fun, please include me. Happy Birthday a day late!

    Should we include a certain number of each seed?

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Welcome to the swap pickleme. I sent you an email.

    borge99
    socialgardengal
    zackey
    cryptid
    farmergirl2009
    seedkeeper
    pickleme

    For the next 3 days its suppose to rain. Since it hasn't started yet I am going out the door to start weeding in the flower gardens. Have a great day!

    Ellie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Just came back from a weekend trip to Lewiston, ID. It rained for both days while we were gone and also here at home. But we needed the rain anyway. It was so dry.

    You still have until the 15th to sign up for this swap. Anyone out there interested in heirlooms?

    Ellie

  • randysbirds
    10 years ago

    count me in Ellie. was hopin you would do another seed swap the last one was great cant wait for this one. have lots of heirlooms to swap. gonna start gettin my seed packs ready. send me your address so i can get this batch out.

    randysbirds
    randy
    aplace2fledge@yahoo.com

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Welcome randy to the swap. I sent you an email.

    Those participating in the swap are:
    borge99
    socialgardengal
    zackey
    cryptid
    farmergirl2009
    seedkeeper
    pickleme
    randysbirds

    Just one more week to sign up for the swap so there is still time to sign up.

    Ellie

  • socalgardengal
    10 years ago

    Hi Ellie, got my seeds to the post office today. Should be there by Friday. Tracking # is
    9500 1106 9829 3099 4342 42. Love your bean facts! I just started 7 different types. I love bean soup! Now I have to find some cannelli beans to try :)

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Good evening everyone,

    I shall let you know when I receive the package. Socalgardengal, what kind of beans did you start? It will probably be another month before I can plant anything. The ground needs to warm up a lot.

    Has anyone tried asparagus beans? Asparagus or yard-long beans originated in Southern Asia and are now grown extensively in Asia, Europe and more recently the U.S. Although they resemble pole snap beans, they are more closely related to southern peas (cowpeas). Asparagus beans are called "Dow Gauk" in China and "Sasage" in Japan. Asparagus beans are easily grown, produce heavily, harvest easily, thrive in hot weather, are slightly more resistant to drought than snap beans, are more resistant to bean beetles, and are tolerant of a wide range of soils.

    Needs warm soil to germinate - sow a month after last frost. Grow in the same manner as pole beans or along a trellis, sow seeds 3/4" deep, 4" apart. One planting along a tall trellis will produce well all season.

    Harvest when pods reach 12-15", before the seeds fill the pods. The mature beans may be shelled from the pods and cooked in the same fashion as regular dried beans. Their flavor is like southern peas but with a drier, nutty quality. If saving the seed, isolate from cowpeas and other varieties of asparagus beans by 150'.

    Guess that's enough about beans tonight. Have a great evening!

    Ellie

  • cryptid
    10 years ago

    Seeds are officially in the mail as of today! - Planted out some raspberry starts and Styrian Pumpkin seeds today. Shallots are finally coming up, as are the bunching onions. - Several days ago we purchased a "Pocket Hose" (50 ft. for $19.95, at Fred Meyer),...what a fab investment! The sucker totally ROX! Expands, contracts,...minimum space needed for storage. No kinks! Just sayin',...! :) Have a good week y'all!

  • socalgardengal
    10 years ago

    I started 4 of each Blue Coco, Blue Lake, Taylor dwarf, Purple pole, Tendergreen bush, Top crop, Hutterite and Black-eyed. Wish I had more bush type to save on space.

    I wanted to try that pocket hose but wonder how it would hold up.

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Christine I received your seeds today. Will put aside until all have arrived. I wanted to know what a pocket hose was so googled it. I have never heard of it.

    Christine I just had to look up what the beans were that you planted. I shall have to put the Blue Coco, Taylor Dwarf and Black Eyed Beans on my wish list. Blue Lake is the bean I use for canning. But I should venture out and try others. I am sure there are lots of good canning beans.

    Ellie

  • clay_lady
    10 years ago

    I would love to join, along with my grandson who are 8 & 9.(Dirt Bro's). I LOVE Heirlooms. I have about 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes started in milkjugs (wintersowing) I still would like Pineapple Tomato seeds if anyone has them. Thanks clay_lady

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Good afternoon fellow gardeners,

    Today I received cryptid's seeds. I need to get my seeds ready also. Good weekend to do it since the weather isn't very good.

    Welcome clay_lady and grandsons. Sending you an email.

    Those participating in the swap are:
    borge99
    socialgardengal
    zackey
    cryptid
    farmergirl2009
    seedkeeper
    pickleme
    randysbirds
    clay_lady on grandsons

    Monday is the last day to sign up for the swap if there is anyone still thinking about it.
    Have a great weekend!

    Ellie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Today is the last day to sign up for this swap. All seeds need to be mailed by Saturday the 20th.

    Can't believe Monday is here already. Hope everyone has a nice weekend. We has some sunny weather, in between the rain and hail storms.

    Ellie

  • galiana
    10 years ago

    I'm late to the party but I'm hoping to join the exchange. I have quite a number of edibles to share!

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Yes you may join the swap. I shall put you down. Sending you an email.Those participating in the swap are:
    borge99
    socialgardengal - rec'd
    zackey
    cryptid - rec'd
    farmergirl2009
    seedkeeper
    pickleme
    randysbirds - rec'd
    clay_lady on grandsons
    galiana

    Received randysbirds package today. Don't forget that April 20th your seeds need to be mailed. Sun is shining!

    Ellie

    This post was edited by farmergirl2009 on Tue, Apr 16, 13 at 15:37

  • pickleme
    10 years ago

    My seeds are packaged & ready to go. Will get them in the mail in the next day or two.

  • clay_lady
    10 years ago

    Seeds are ready to go.. I just need the address. Thanks

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Sent email with my address.

    Thursday will be another busy day. I have an all day partner agency conference with 2nd Harvest. Should be some great speakers. Then next week have another session with 2nd Harvest and we will be talking about setting up a seed library at one of the libraries in town. I am looking forward to this.

    Have a great evening!

    Ellie

  • franc
    10 years ago

    Is it to late to join

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Hi everyone,
    Franc if you can get your seeds in the mail by this Friday or Saturday at the latest you may join.

    participating in the swap are:
    borge99
    socialgardengal - rec'd
    zackey
    cryptid - rec'd
    farmergirl2009
    seedkeeper
    pickleme
    randysbirds - rec'd
    clay_lady and grandsons
    galiana - rec'd

    Received galiana's seeds today.

    I am really tired after listening to speakers all day. A couple of the sessions were exceptional. Also got a couple of great leads for a seed lending library that I need to follow up on.

    Good thing tomorrow is Friday!

    Ellie

  • habitat_gardener
    10 years ago

    Thanks for letting me sign up late! I mailed my seeds today. I buy only open-pollinated varieties, but it was a challenge to find only the heirlooms! Many of my OP varieties were products of recent breeding programs, and I bought several "grex" and "gene pool" varieties this year.

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Today was a pretty nice day since the past few days has been rain and more rain. Not that I am complaining since its free water.

    Received pickleme and zackey's packet today. Waiting for four and then I will start sorting.

    borge99
    socialgardengal - rec'd
    zackey - rec'd
    cryptid - rec'd
    farmergirl2009 - rec'd
    seedkeeper
    pickleme - rec'd
    randysbirds - rec'd
    galiana - rec'd
    franc
    habitat_gardener

    Hopefully by the middle of the week I can start sorting.

    Ellie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Received habitat_gardener's packet today.

    borge99
    socialgardengal - rec'd
    zackey - rec'd
    cryptid - rec'd
    farmergirl2009 - rec'd
    seedkeeper
    pickleme - rec'd
    randysbirds - rec'd
    galiana - rec'd
    franc
    habitat_gardener - rec'd

    Too cold and windy today to work outside so a good day to get something else done. I see some of the flowers that I transplanted last week have froze. Gibson nursery was here today to look at a couple of trees that died that will need to be replaced. I am now beginning to think I am in a frost pocket and instead of a zone 5 its more of a zone 4a or B and Gibson nursery agreed because of the cold winds.

    Guess that is something I have no control over.

    Ellie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Received Franks packet today. Getting closer now to start sorting. Beautiful day today. Must have been at least 60* out but still freezes at night....ice on the pond this morning.

    borge99
    socialgardengal - rec'd
    zackey - rec'd
    cryptid - rec'd
    farmergirl2009 - rec'd
    seedkeeper
    pickleme - rec'd
    randysbirds - rec'd
    galiana - rec'd
    franc - rec'd
    habitat_gardener - rec'd
    Hopefully we will go into the weekend with nice weather. Starting to get behind with the yard work. If only a garden fairy would come at night and get this all done for me.....just dreaming.

    Ellie

  • elliesfun
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Hi everyone,
    All the seeds went into the mail today so you should receive by the end of the week at least. Thank you all for participating.

    Ellie

  • cryptid
    10 years ago

    Yeah, *baybee*! Our Shallots are coming up like gangbusters, and better yet, we got rid of a *huge*, old, semi-diseased maple tree in our front yard, thus enabling the penetration of more sunlight and the promise of increased veggie, herbal and floral production. Love trees, but I have no use for *widow makers*. - Had our heat-pump/AC repaired today. Needed a new motor and capacitor. Can't be without AC,...and live to post about it.

    Have a great week y'all! :)

  • socalgardengal
    10 years ago

    Thank you Ellie! Looking forward to all the goodies. I appreciate everyone sharing,THANK YOU! I harvested my first 3 zucchini's this morning and ate them for lunch,YUMMY! They are the first thing I have ever grown and harvested, so excited!!! Guess my thumbs are turning alittle green, lol Can't wait to try everything else now :) Have a wonderful season all! ~Christine

  • galiana
    10 years ago

    Got my seeds today! Some very interesting varieties I've never tried. I'm especially looking forward to the Hale's Best Cantaloupe and Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea. Thanks to randysbirds and pickleme, who sent those in. :)

  • socalgardengal
    10 years ago

    Thank you everyone, received my seeds today! Love the selection Ellie, thank you for hosting!

  • pickleme
    10 years ago

    My seeds arrived today too. Thanks to Ellie for organizing and all for participating!!! I can't wait to harvest my new varieties.

  • cryptid
    10 years ago

    Yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' `bout! My wonderful package of seeds arrived today as well! Such a marvelous, generous, rare and diverse assortment of veggies and herbs! Absolutely delightful! Thanks again, Ellie, so very very much for hosting this! Our GardenWeb community totally rocks!

  • zzackey
    10 years ago

    I got my seeds today1 I'm all excited! I got some really cool seeds. I was just getting ready to buy some Cracker Jack marigolds. I have one I bought at Lowe's outside of my room. First time I could see a garden from my room. So awesome! We are getting rain for several days now. I enjoy not having to water. Thanks for all of your hard work to put this swap together! Thanks to everyone for all the cool seeds. I'm looking forward to this swap again!

  • habitat_gardener
    10 years ago

    I received my seeds yesterday! Thanks to everyone. Can't wait to try the new-to-me cucumber and radish varieties.

  • franc
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the seeds I got the package yesterday

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