Sunday, August 17, 2014

Hello Again!

I apologize to the followers of this blog for neglecting it so badly. I have been swamped with the seed store and the garden but I'm here to bring you up to speed. Finally!!
This was the second year in a row the dreaded blight has hit. So depressing to nurse the seedlings from babies and see them months later get hit. I made a rookie mistake this year. Something I knew better than to do. I transplanted my seedlings into regular garden dirt instead of seed starting mix and lost about 1/3 of them. Then, I had a critter start digging up the plants when I planted out and then the blight. So between the 3 calamities, it was a poor season.
The sunflowers, peppers, beans and cucumbers went un-scathed. Thank you baby Jesus.
The good news is not everything was bad. I had some tomatoes that I loved and want to share with you.
Probably the star of the garden this year was Fleur de Reagir. Not only was it the most beautiful tomato I have ever grown, it avoided disease. I'm posting a photo because words cannot describe the beauty.
Fleur de Reagir
 I used to think that Marmande Garnier Rouge was the most beautiful but this one was exquisite. It's going to be hard to out do this one. I've never seen a tomato sliced that looked like this. It's listed as a black tomato but the color was more of a brick red.  The center where there is normally a core, it had a gel sac with seeds. Unusual. It's of course a French tomato as is Marmande Garnier Rouge. You have to hand it to the French for their gorgeous tomatoes. I'll be listing the seeds in a few weeks. I am waiting on more information about the history so stay tuned.
Fleur de Reagir

I will do an All star and Waste of Garden space in about 3 weeks where I will give a complete review of everything.
Took a little trip to Savannah in the midst of all this with my baby cousin. Soooo beautiful there. Wish I could buy one of those historic homes on one of the squares. Bonaventure cemetery. OMG beautiful. If you've never been it's worth the trip.
I give my word I'll post again in a couple of weeks. haha. Honest! In the meantime, I'll leave you with one of my sunflower photos to remind everyone to keep your faces towards the Sun.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Happenings for 2014

Wow! I can't believe I have gone so long without writing a new post. I have a lot to say so get comfortable.
First I would like to thank all the people that are supporting my seed site with orders. God bless you and good gardening 2014!!
I am leaving for France on March 6th and returning on the 20th. I always bring home new seed varieties so it's a win/win. Also get to bring  back my Donkey milk soap. Sounds crazy but it makes your skin sooooooo soft. You can buy it in the U.S. on Amazon. Try it you'll be hooked. I always like to share the good stuff.

In a few weeks I want to do a post about Tommy Toe tomatoes and Landrace veggies. Something new that has become interesting to me.

I have the best growlist I have ever had but as you know I don't like to publish it until the middle of May but heres a preview: I am growing and releasing seed for a cross from my garden several years back. One cross produced two sister tomatoes; a pink beefsteak and a yellow beefsteak. They are both gorgeous and super tasty. Power producers of crackfree fruit. La Vie en Rose and Moonshiners Ball. Here's a couple of photos: Once released they will become rockstars in the tomato world!
La Vie en Rose

Moonshiner's Ball
Other things coming to my garden this year: A very old Irish Pole bean, A runner bean not available in the U.S. More rare Spanish peppers and un-available Spanish heirloom tomatoes. A very rare radish and edible flowers for salads. 
Check back in the middle of May when I publish the growlist and get a good look at everything. 

I also have a request; Have any of you come across the seed for the golden Peppadew? I think they call it the Goldadew. If you have any seed please message me (purty please) :-)
I don't know if I had posted this yet but we have a new style Tomato Whisperer baseball style tee in the store and Tomato Addict tote bags. Both available in the SSC Store: secretseedcartel.com
Another new thing, I am carrying all of Alan Bishops seed varieties you are a fan. I am!
I would also like to thank the growers that volunteered to do some growing for me this year. THANK YOU!! You know who you are. I couldn't have grown all of the varieties myself this year. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.  
I've sown my pepper seeds and when I return from France I will be starting the tomatoes. I wish a good garden to you all and the best season ever!


Thursday, January 16, 2014

GERNIKA SEED NOW AVAILABLE

For those that have been requesting Gernika seed we now have limited quantities in stock. Please visit our seed store for your order. 
Secretseedcartel.com