Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] seed germination

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Mike Emers" <rosie-ck AT mosquitonet.com>
  • To: "'Market Farming'" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] seed germination
  • Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 20:48:48 -0900

 

 


All perfectly sensible, and I did know that; but it would nevertheless be very useful to me to also know what year the seed was grown, because I often store seed over myself. Some species/varieties have a fairly sudden drop off in germination after a certain age, so that the seed may indeed test 84% right before it goes out for sale and be fine for that year, but may have very low germination if kept by the purchaser for even one additional year (especially if you don't have absolutely perfect storage available). Because I need more seed than a home gardener but am very small a grower, I find that seed is often not packaged in just the size I'll use; and even when it is, it often costs a lot less to buy two year's worth of seed at once -- if the seed will also be good the second year. I've taken to buying winter squash seed fresh every year, because although the second-year seed is often fine it's sometimes useless, and I have such a narrow time window for seeding winter squash that by the time I realize something isn't coming up it's too late to replant, let alone to get fresh seed. (Yes, I know some people start their winter squash from transplant. I'm running too fast transplanting other things at the time for that. And yes, I know I could test everything before putting in the seed orders; I do test some things; but the seed orders tend to go in too late as it is.) I suspect, though I'm not certain, that the difference between squash (or other) seed still vigorous the second year and seed that isn't is in at least some cases the actual age of the seed.

-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale

 

I think I can echo Rivka’s sentiments/dilemmas.  I often feel forced to buy “new” seed every season because after some experience storing seed and having poor germination the second year it’s not worth the risk of losing a small window of opportunity to start either a whole crop or one succession.  If I end up with poor germination or weak seedlings at a critical time because I’ve stored them improperly or for some other reason, I’m hosed.  I’ve run into this with brassicas,  squash, peppers, and tomatoes.  Every year I swear I’ll get my seed order lower and use last year’s purchased seed, but in the end I get nervous and I shell out maybe several hundred dollars extra for new seed and give last years away to my gardener friends.  

 

 

Mike Emers

Rosie Creek Farm

Ester, Alaska




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page