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Seeds for Samaritans – grow something new for a good cause

seeds2Just to be straight from the start, this is a charity fundraiser, not a giveaway. And I’ve never done this before, so please bear with – I think I’ve covered everything, but if you spot a howler, please let me know!

I am lucky enough to have an extensive collection of seeds, and (I think) it includes some interesting varieties. I can’t possibly grow them all, and I’d like them to do some good elsewhere.

So I’d like to offer some out, in return for a donation* to Kingston Samaritans made through my JustGiving page (pls click on link). I chose Samaritans because I lost someone I loved very much nearly 20 years ago and I wish she had had more help. Blue Monday seems an apt day to start this too, and it ends on Saturday 4th Feb.

I will cover the costs of 2nd-class postage** so 100% of your donation goes to the Samaritans.

Available varieties are listed below, with the number of seeds per pack and the number of packs available:

Update: this fundraiser ended as of 9pm 26 January. Thanks so much for all your interest and support.

Seeds that were on offer:

  1. Black Cherry tomato – a cordon tomato with large, dark brownish cherry tomatoes (5 seeds)
  2. Blush tomato – yellow elongated cherry with a darker tiger stripe, bred by Artisan Seeds (6 seeds)
  3. Purple Ukraine tomato – large dark purple paste tomato, perfect flavour for salads or cooking (6 seeds)
  4. Sandpoint tomato – very early, red salad bush tomato. (6 seeds)
  5. Cherokee Trail of Tears beans – climbing French beans which can be eaten either as green beans or when mature as dried black beans (15 seeds)
  6. Cara la Virgen de la Banera Leon climbing bean – again one of my favourites. Gorgeous round beans with a brown pattern round the hilum. Needs a long season but climbs to 10-12ft and gives you masses of dried beans. Not available in UK (15 beans)
  7. Carlin pea – traditional drying pea used for centuries to make parched peas (15 seeds)
  8. Genovese courgette – pale green courgette, early to fruit with an open habit (5 seeds)
  9. Shishigatani squash (c. moschata) – Japanese hourglass-shaped squash, turns from dark green to a matt tan when ripe (5 seeds)
  10. Kiwano – bright orange spiny fruit tasting of a blend of passionfruit & banana when ripe. (6 seeds)
  11. Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea – a new hyper-tendril tall sugarsnap with beautiful pink flowers. Not available for sale in the UK. (15 seeds)
  12. Black Hungarian chilli – tall plants with dark green foliage & black 4-5cm chillies ripening to red. (6 seeds)
  13. Trepadeira Werner chilli ( c.baccatum) – a productive Brazillian hot variety with fruits that start out white and ripen to red. Not available for sale in the UK. (6 seeds)
  14. Oca – red & white or peach varieties. Growing in popularity but still day-length sensitive. (4 tubers)
  15. Lemon Drop chilli – hot lemon-yellow chilli with a citrusey flavour (6 seeds)
  16. Dancing with Smurfs tomato – grow black cherry tomatoes – the more sun, the darker the fruit (6 seeds)
  17. Geraumon Martinique (c.moschata) – smaller fruited pretty squash mature from green & white to green & orange stripes with sweet orange flesh (5 seeds)
  18. Kent Blue Pea – a heritage mangetout with pink flowers changing to pale blue and navy. Only available from the Heritage Seed Library in the UK. (15 seeds)
  19. Queensland Blue squash (c.maxima) – large blue-grey squashes with thick orange flesh
  20. Red Buffalo Horn tomato – large meaty oxhorn shaped tomato. Fabulous flavour & not for sale in UK (5 seeds)
  21. Flat White Boer squash – my favourite to grow, large white flattened squash with thick fibreless orange flesh. Tastes like sweet potato. (4 seeds)
  22. Thelma Sanders squash (c.pepo) – gorgeous, pale cream ribbed acorn squash (5 seeds)
  23. Robinson’s pea – only available through Heritage Seed Library, tall pea (about 8ft) producing long, slim, slightly curved pods over a long season. Extraordinarily sweet. (15 seeds)
  24. Parsley pea – can’t find these listed in the UK, Parsley peas are grown for their edible tendrils, leaves and flowers. If you leave them they produce sugarsnap peas on 3-4ft high plants. (14 seeds)

What you need to do:

  • Follow my blog if you aren’t already following, because I need to be able to contact you. If you aren’t there as a follower, I’m sorry, but no seeds.
  • Choose the seeds you would like from the list above, and add that as a comment below.
  • There is a maximum limit of 5 packs per person and only one of each variety.
  • Wait for me to confirm that the seeds you want are available and to ask for your address. (in case this turns out to be hugely popular) Please, don’t stick all your personal information in the comment box, as it will all be edited out.
  • After getting confirmation, make your donation – and please make it clear who you are. Without psychic powers it’s hard to match an email of mrmousetrouser@anymail.com with Paul Jenkins in Worksop, and if I can’t match you to your seed request you won’t get any seeds. (caveat: I don’t know any Paul Jenkins…) My JustGiving page is here.
  • Please don’t donate without my confirmation – just in case a variety has run out before I see what you want.
  • Seeds will go out asap 2nd class after your donation is made and on a first come, first served basis. I’ll cover costs of 2nd-class postage so all your money goes to Samaritans, which is why this is to UK residents only.
  • Let me know how the seeds do – I really hope you enjoy them.

*All packs of seeds are at a suggested donation of £1.75 each, bar the oca tubers which for which I’d like £4.50 per pack.

**Open to UK residents only.

Closing date: Saturday 4th February, or earlier if the seeds run out!

I so hope this is nice & straightforward!

Categories: Diary 2017

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122 replies ›

  1. Hi Beryl. I would be happy to have a go at growing whatever you have left and donate to such a worthwhile fundraising cause. I really don’t mind what or how many. I have had past experiences (family, clients and self) where Samaritans have played a part. Thanks.

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  2. Hello again Beryl, I am back due to a misunderstanding on my part. I failed to note that 2 Blush tomato was not part of the SeedCircle16 offer you were making, so can I please pick up one of the remaining packets here. To complete this years haul I would also like 4 Sandpoint tomato and 11 Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea. Just let me know when to donate to just giving. Best wishes, Paul

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Paul, Blush is a fab tomato. and they would have been in the circle but I daftly overfermented the main batch of seeds and didn’t have enough in the end. All the varieties are available and I’ve marked them down for you. Please could you email me your address too? Thanks Beryl

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      • Hi Beryl, Donation made and address via DM on twitter. Looking forward to Blush. Did yours come originally from Baker Creek? Overfermentation has happened to all of us. It’s worrying when you see all those just sprouting seeds, after all the efforts to save and clean them. Still there’s always next year

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        • Hi Paul – thanks!! The seeds came from a 2014 seed circle and I have been growing them for the last 2 seasons. They are such a lovely colour as well as flavour that they are a must-grow each year. I’m going to keep a better eye on the seeds this year – I got a bit distracted!

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          • Thank you Beryl. They sound like a definite experiment for Diss Community Farm, along with Dancing with Smurfs and some others I bought from Baker Creek, inc Berkeley Tie-Dye Green, which you have rated before. Exiting season ahead

            Liked by 1 person

  3. Hi Beryl, Have received my seeds, so looking forward to sowing them. I see you’ve received nearly £300 – well done.
    Many thanks,
    Tina Lovett

    Sent from my iPad

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    • Hi, I did respond to your request earlier, I’m sorry the comments thread is a little difficult to navigate when it’s so busy – that’s not something I have control over. Unfortunately there aren’t any packs of oca left. They went relatively quickly. If there is anything else on the available list that you would like, please do let me know. If you are really keen on oca Real Seeds and Thompson and Morgan both sell them. best wishes Beryl

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  5. Hello, This is a great idea! I’d like a pack each of 3, 8 and 9 please. I’ll make a donation of ten quid if that’s ok. Thanks. Wendy

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      • Hello Beryl just letting you know that my seeds have arrived. I’m really looking forward to growing three veggies that I haven’t grown before. Thanks fir organising this and for donating all the income to the Kingston Samaritans. Such a great cause to support. Best wishes, Wendy

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  6. I would like purple Ukraine tomatoes; climbing bean carla la virgan de la Barrera Leon; light green courgette; trepadeira chilli; Kiwanis fruit or any five you have left please. Iris

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  7. Hi Beryl, Would appreciate the Purple Ukraine Tomato and the Cherokee Trail of tears Beans if they are still available. Thanks Mary G

    Liked by 1 person

  9. If you have these left would love to try some new things this year:

    Purple Ukraine tomato
    Kiwano
    Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea
    Oca – red & white or peach varieties (any)
    Lemon Drop chilli
    Trepadeira Werner chilli

    Like

  10. Hi Beryl, just wondered if I could have some of the Kent blue and magnolia blossom peas and some trail of tears beans please .. I have added my email address and will verify it when I check my emails … I think it is a wonderful thing that you are doing and I will happily donate £10 ..

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  11. Hi Beryl,
    What a fab idea, I would love to join in please, I am interested in:
    10.Magnolia blossom tendril
    20.Cara la virgen la banera leon,
    7.Kent blue pea
    3.Cherokee trail of tears
    😀

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    • Hi Jennifer,
      Glad you like it 🙂 I’ve set the packs aside for you – you’ve got the very last pack of Kent Blues available. They really are a fabulous mangetout and I’ve found they produce huge amounts. And if you save seed from one of the plants you’ll have them for next year too. Please can you donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall? Once that’s through I’ll email for an address to send them to. Thanks so much! Beryl

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      • Brilliant, I have done my donation 😀 I was a complete growing newbie last year when I took on a plot in March so this will be my first seed saving (and hopefully sharing) season. I have been doing lots of reading into seeds and love some of the stories behind different varieties. I have really enjoyed your blog since I came across it. I cannot wait to try these varieties, so thank you 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        • Thank you – and I do really remember what it felt like starting with zero experience! If you’re getting into seed saving and you tweet, I’ll be running another Twitter seed circle this season – open to anyone. It’s a great way to share (and get!) unusual seeds in manageable quantities.

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  12. What a lovely idea Beryl. If I haven’t missed the boat entirely(!), I’d like to request:

    Robinson’s pea
    Kent blue pea
    Red Buffalo Horn tomato
    Lemon Drop chilli

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    • Hi Paul,
      I had 4 varieties listed – I’ve Flat White (last pack) and Shishigatani left. They are both lovely but very different. FW tastes more of sweet potato and Shishi is nutty. Are either or both of interest? I’ll set them aside for you till I hear back, or till tomorrow evening (19th). Cheers Beryl

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        • Perfect – please can you email me your address and I’ll send them off tomorrow. Yours was the donation that tipped it over the £300 mark – brilliant!! Beryl

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  17. Hi Beryl, Please coud I have 3. Cherokee trail of tears beans, 8 Kiwano, 12 Purple Ukraine Toms, 18 Red Buffalo Horn Toms, 24 Parsley peas. £15 donation when you let me know!

    Carol Bibby

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  18. Hi Beryl. You know me as @PaulCoster52 via twitter and SeedCircle16, but I am using a different WordPress account to reply here. My I please reserve the Robinsons Pea and one of the Red Buffalo Horn tomatoes. If available I will complete the payment instructions here, but for posting you could always include them in the SeedCircle16 envelope you already have for me & save yourself a second envelope. Look forward to hearing from you. Paul

    Like

    • Hi Paul,
      I’m really sorry, you were just too late for the Robinson’s. I think I might grow the remaining few seeds I have here for this year’s circle since so many people appear to want them! I’ve set aside the Red Buffalo Horn and Dancing with Smurfs seeds for you and thanks, will add to the seed circle parcel. Please could you use https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall to donate? Thanks so much, Beryl

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  19. Hi please may I have Cherokee trail of tears, dancing with smurfs, Kiwano and Purple Ukraine tomato. Many thanks

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  20. Good afternoon Beryl

    Looks like you have blown your target! Fab and thrilled for you and the cause.
    Thank you

    Could I have the Robinson pea, flat white boar squash, red buffalo horned toms

    Susan (WLAF)(DIGAS)

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    • Evening! Sorry this has taken a bit to respond to – I’m surrounded by seeds and envelopes! Yes to all. I’ve set them aside for you and have sent you an email for your address. Thanks! Beryl

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  21. Just followed your blog, I already followed you on Twitter. I’d love to try the parsley pea, please. What a novel and lovely way to raise money for a cause; I’ve had reason to ask for help from the Samaritans in the past. THank you @betonyjoy

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    • Hi Mark,
      Thanks! That’s Dancing w Smurfs, Purple Ukraine & Flat White – both the Robinson and the Parsley peas are gone I’m afraid. I might have a go at growing them for this year’s seed circle as they are so popular! If that’s still ok, please can you donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall and I’ll be in touch for an address to send them off to you. Beryl

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  24. Gosh Beryl you are such a busy bee, what a lovely idea.

    I would love some of the Kent blue pea and the parsley pea and a packet of the lemon drop chilli if they are still available.

    Thanks so much
    Regards
    Esme

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  25. Hi Beryl….already ordered my allotted 5 packs, however if the rules change would love some more! 😁. Please let me know when I can make my donation x

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    • Hi Sue, I did stick a reply up yesterday with the donation link – but just to confirm I’ve set the seeds aside for you and as soon as your donation pops up on https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall I’ll send be in touch for an address to send them off to you. I think I am going to run out of seeds, rather than have some over, so I’ll stick with the maximum 5 per person. Thank you so much, Beryl 🙂

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  27. Hi Beryl, please could I have Shishgatani squash,
    Purple Ukraine tomato ,
    Gernovese courgette, and
    Geraumon Martinique quash please

    I think it’s a great way to raise money for such a good cause

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    • Hi Jean, thanks for contacting me. I can’t find you on my list of followers, please can you either click follow or let me know if there’s an issue with it? I think all the Geraumon squashes are spoken for, but I will be adding some different seeds tomorrow morning now as they have gone so quickly! cheers Beryl

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    • Hi there Matt here from Crumpsall and Cheetham Allotments in sunny Manchester,. We’d love to trial some of these here and get involved and encourage seed saving so please can we have:

      Cherokee Trail of Tears beans –
      Oca – red
      Red Buffalo Horn tomato
      Flat White Boer squash
      Robinson’s pea

      Many thanks

      Like

      • Hi Matt,
        The oca is red & white rather than a straight red. It looks very pretty & seems to make blockier tubers than the peach ones. I have everything bar the Robinson’s pea which everyone wants and which went at the speed of light in the comments feed! I’ve set the others aside for you – I love the idea of encouraging seed saving on your site. Please could you donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall and as soon as it pops through (please be identifiable!) I’ll be in touch for an address to send them to you. Many thanks, Beryl

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    • Hi Lorraine, this is open to all my blog followers – can I just check you are one? I can’t find you anywhere in the lists. Thanks Beryl

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      • Hi Beryl. Yes of course, stick them in the seed circle parcel. This is such a good idea, I might try a local version myself next year. My excess seed supply pales to insignificance against yours, but is still far more than I can utilise. Anne

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        • Grand, will do. And thank you, seed sales are so much easier for me than plant sales, which was my other thought. I’ve no spare space for too many excess seedlings! The JustGiving set up does make it really simple too. B x

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  30. Hi Beryl
    We think your idea of supporting Kingston Samaritans is great and would like to support it. (My late sister-in-law who taught at Kingston Uni committed suicide 10 years ago.) These are the seeds we would like if you still have some left.
    Black Cherry toms, Cherokee Trail of Tears, Geraumon Martinique, Oca (any) Thelma Sanders.
    Thanks
    Clare Winstanley
    PS have been following your blog thanks to our mutual friend Maurice Wren

    Like

    • Hi Clare,
      I’m very sorry to hear about your sister-in-law. It’s awful to go through. I managed to shift the post over, and you’ve got the last pack of Thelma Sanders! Please could you donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall? I will then email you for your address and send the seeds.
      I’m glad you like the blog, and do say hi to Maurice from me when you next see him. He’s a wonderful man!
      Many thanks
      Beryl

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  31. Hi Beryl, Please can I request No 11. Oca and No.12 Purple Ukraine Tomato please 🙂

    This is fanstatic by the way, well done you! I will ensure I share over mine and WYOG social platforms too 🙂

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    • Hi Chelle,
      Thanks so much. I really didn’t think it would go so quickly – you’ve snagged the last of the oca! The tubers are smallish but the same size I use. They’re ready to chit and plant in pots in March then go out when it’s warm enough and you should then, frosts willing, get a good crop. Please can you donate via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall? Once that’s through I’ll DM for your address and send them speeding off to you. Thank you!! Beryl x

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sorry for the delay Beryl, your reply went to my clutter inbox! I’ve made my donation xx

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  32. Please could I have some of the magnolia peas, Thelma Sanders and Shishiganati squash and a pack of oca?
    With many thanks and best wishes
    Suzannah

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  33. Hi could I have dancing with smurfs tomato, Kent blue pea (if there are any left) and Kiwano please.
    Many thanks 😀

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  35. Hi Beryl,

    Can I please have the following:

    Thelma Sanders squash
    Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea
    Kent Blue Pea
    Geraumon Martinique (c.moschata)

    Many Thanks,
    Ros

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  36. Hi Beryl, please could I have the Kent Blue, Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea,
    Geraumon Martinique and Trepadeira chilli if poss. Great idea! X

    Like

    • Hi Clare – you just pop your wishlists on the comments thread. You won’t see it at once because I need to click ‘approve’ on my end. The peas appear to be going fast though. I may have to see if there are any spares lurking in the boxes!

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  38. Hello, very kind of you and excellent choice of charity.

    I’m interested in

    Kent Blue Pea
    Kiwano
    Magnolia Blossom Tendril Pea

    See how restrained I’m being? ;D

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  39. Plan sounds good to me, and you have a buyer 🙂 am interested in 16. Thelma Sanders Squash 14. Sandpoint tomato 11. 1 pack oca and 12. Kiwano. Lovely.

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  41. Hi Beryl, what a lovely way to honour your friend, can’t see any howlers so far so count me in if that’s ok,
    May I have
    Queensland blue squash,
    Blush tomato,
    Thelma Sanders squash (again, I forgot to save any seeds from the last lot I had)
    Oca.
    Many thanks, hope it goes well
    P.s my saffron is doing really well now I’ve netted the raised bed to stop my delinquent cats using it as a handy toilet on the patio!!! I thought I’d sent you an email thanking you for them but when checking couldn’t find it in my sent box so apologies if you never got a thank you at the appropriate time🙁

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  43. Hi Beryl,

    Can I have the following seeds please:

    -Kent Blue Pea
    -Dancing with Smurfs
    -Kiwano
    -Purple Ukraine Tomato

    I will donate £15 to the Samaritans on the JustGiving site.

    Good luck, hope you raise lots of money for a worthy cause.

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    • Hi Tina,
      First in! Yes of course you can, they’re set aside for you and thank you for the extra £££s, that’s lovely. Please can you make sure that you donate on my JustGiving page rather than on a general one? https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Beryl-Randall
      That’ll help me keep track.

      As soon as I see the donation on the site I’ll post off the seeds.
      Thanks so much!
      Beryl

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