inventory reduction plan

[PaulF]

In a moment of idleness I conducted an inventory of my saved seeds and dated each variety with a plan for 2014. I have been reducing inventory by purchasing few seeds for the past few years. 2013 was an exception. Like a starving man in a buffet line, I bought maybe twenty new to me varieties.

At one time there were more than 250 varieties of tomatoes in my 35mm film canisters packed away in storage containers. That was maybe five years ago. With the buying surge the number is still down to 165. The plan is to grow out the oldest forty varieties and see how many germinate. My tomato space allows for thirty-five plants, so with failures and throw aways of seeds I will not want to grow I may be down to 100 by next year so long as nobody extolls the virtues of another twenty I can't do without trying.

If all else fails, look for an old seed give-away next fall. This is, by the way, the earliest I can remember already missing the garden and beginning plans for next year. Too much time on my hands, but at least it keeps me out of the tavern.

[dustdevil]

You can have the best of both worlds...go to a tavern and watch a Cornhuskers game

[PaulF]

Never have been a cornshucker fan. It's GO HAWKEYES all the way. Still an Iowan at heart. My younger son played football at Iowa and my older son is the supervisor of engineering at the University of Iowa power plant, so there is no reason not to be a Hawkeye...GO HAWKS, BEAT PURDUE!

[saltmarsh]

Patchy frost and a low of 36 degrees were predicted for last night, so I was expecting Mother Nature to do an inventory reduction on the garden. I left a recording digital thermometer in place and it showed 32 degrees for a low but nothing showed any damage. Snap beans are still snapping, tomatoes are still tomatoing, and picked a roast ear for supper. Claud

and have you tried Tarasenko 6 yet? Nineteen to go.

[Salsacharley]

Hey Paul,

I highly recommend staying out of the tavern. The cost/benefit ratio of tavern vs package indulgence does not justify the tavern unless you have other motives for going to the tavern. If so, you must be extra prudent.

Meanwhile, you should increase your growing space and thus resolve your inventory reduction problems. If all else fails, let me know when you are going to give away your seeds because I am obsessed with acquiring more varieties.

Best to you,

Charley

[meadowyck]

Yes what is it about acquiring new seeds..... OMY I'm so guilty of this.... but now that I'm down south, I am better as there are many things that just don't grow for me here....LOL

[Tormato]

If I put a zero on the end of your numbers, that's where I stand. Never, ever did a full inventory.

Dr. Lve Apple

P.S. Elgin Pink, and 19 more for others to recommend.

[PaulF]

I know there are not really very many seeds in my arsenal. Having only been at this heirloom/OP tomato growing business for fifteen years of my 50 growing seasons and having only grown out around 500 different varieties, there is no reason to have more than a couple hundred vials of seeds. I just can't stand having so many that will never be grown again. Therefore the reduction. All seeds six years old and older are going to be grown and removed or refreshed.

HAWKS WIN big time and will go bowling. Now beat Michigan and Nebraska!

[nancyruhl]

Now wait a second. Michigan?

[PaulF]

Yep, miracles have been known to happen. Just look what happened to Michigan against the Shuckers today.

[nancyruhl]

Fluke, for sure. Thrown away in the last couple of minutes.

Anyway, I think you are way ahead of me to have it down to 165. My inventory is around 350, many that haven't even gotten into the garden. I think I will have to come up with my own inventory reduction plan. Resolution, get rid of 100 varieties this year.

[Sodak]

No fluke. HUSKERS are very tough in November. And played VERY well on D and adequate on O. Especially when it really matters, early and late.;-)