2014 Mostly Mystery 'Mater Mailing

[Tormato]

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

For the pepper swap, will there be separate hot and sweet options? I didn't bag blossoms either, but have several varieties of both and would like to participate in the pepper swap as well.

There will be seperate hot, sweet, (and paprika?) options depending on what comes in. Just before the swap really opens (about October 1st) I'll post all updated rules (which will only be suggestions) for the whole swap. Such as...if your peppers are "not bagged", write that on the label. If participants only want bagged pepper seeds, please write a note on your wish list/sending in list.

Gary

[Lindalana]

Are there any interest for det tomatoes? I have couple commercial ones from Ukraine,such as Ballada, Titan red, Kremenchugskiy red, Urban as well as something called Tomato tree. Also few seeds of long keeping one named New Shedevr, supps to stay green and very slow turning red up till Feb.

[bower]

Originally Posted by Lindalana

Are there any interest for det tomatoes? I have couple commercial ones from Ukraine,such as Ballada, Titan red, Kremenchugskiy red, Urban as well as something called Tomato tree. Also few seeds of long keeping one named New Shedevr, supps to stay green and very slow turning red up till Feb.

I'm planning to join the determinate/dwarf category, and would for sure be interested in Ukrainian varieties. The Eastern European varieties of tomato overall have done amazingly well for us here so are always top of the list for new trials.

[KarenO]

Originally Posted by Lindalana

Are there any interest for det tomatoes? I have couple commercial ones from Ukraine,such as Ballada, Titan red, Kremenchugskiy red, Urban as well as something called Tomato tree. Also few seeds of long keeping one named New Shedevr, supps to stay green and very slow turning red up till Feb.

I am interested in dwarf and determinate varieties. For determinates, especially looking for ones that are not red.
KarenO

[AlittleSalt]

Lindalana, asked: "Are there any interest for det tomatoes?"

I am going to send in 10 packs of 10 Roma seeds this year because the Burpee seed pack I bought this year has over 100 seeds in it. Roma are Det. On my paper I send in, I'm going to ask Tormato to put this donation in the, "Paste" section so I can get back other paste types. For me, paste tomatoes are the only Det variety I need. So yes, I am interested.

I'm doing something along the same lines with the only other tomato that I have enough seeds from. I'm going to donate 10 packs of 10 seeds each from my, "Porter" tomatoes. Porter tomatoes also fall into two categories. One being "Red" and the other being "Hot Weather". I am going to ask that my Porters be in the Hot Weather selection because that tomato variety makes sense in my hot and humid garden.

Separate, but MMMM related: Today, I found that I can buy the little 2" x 3" zip packs at our local Staples for $6.99 for 100 zip packs. I personally have never bought anything online, but you can find them at Amazon and Walmart.com and countless other places. I'm old fashioned and like forking over cash for products I can see and touch, so I'm buying mine at Staples.

As for the bubble mailer. I'm hoping Tormato or someone will explain that to me with a little more detail. (Tormato, I just added your nickname to the dictionary here - ) I understand I need to get a 3 oz, bubble mailer from the post office and send it to Tormato so that I can get MMMM seeds back. Do I need to mail it in a larger envelope with my paper and seeds? Like a 9 x 12 envelope?

[kath]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

Today, I found that I can buy the little 2" x 3" zip packs at our local Staples for $6.99 for 100 zip packs.

Do I need to mail it in a larger envelope with my paper and seeds? Like a 9 x 12 envelope?

If you have a Walmart near you, they sell the zip packs for $1.99 for 100. Michael's craft store has them for $2.99 but there's often a coupon for 40% off 1 item.

You can just send the one bubble mailer, I think. Just write on labels that can be removed and replaced so it can be redone and returned to you.

kath

[Lindalana]

Am glad to hear there is interest. I believe those I have all early, red, universal use, some resistance to common diseases. I will dig up whatever info I have. AlittleSalt, I will see if I have any Kibits left, I like it better than Romas.

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by kath

If you have a Walmart near you, they sell the zip packs for $1.99 for 100. Michael's craft store has them for $2.99 but there's often a coupon for 40% off 1 item.

You can just send the one bubble mailer, I think. Just write on labels that can be removed and replaced so it can be redone and returned to you.

kath

Kath, my wife works at the nearby Walmart I called there today to find out if they had the zip packs, but the Walmart operator did not know how to direct my call to the Arts and Crafts section of the store. I explained it was between the Sewing section and Toys, but it didn't help. Then I explained that Arts and Crafts is only 5 isles away from the operator, and it did not help.

The $1.99 zip packs are actually outsourced from Beadaholique. Kind of like how the Walmart Vision Center and Walmart Pharmacy are actually just rented/leased out areas in Walmart. Neither are actually Walmart. That's why you find a McDonalds in some Walmarts and a Subway or countless other eating joints in other Walmarts.

I have already gone to our local Walmart and explained exactly what I needed and why. Someone there thought I wanted to sell drugs because I wanted a small zip pack. I do not know how drugs are sold, but I don't ever want to feel like how I felt that day.

That is why I'm wiling to overpay at Staples. Michaels and Hobby Lobby are both 4 gallons of gas away. I know that does not sound like much, but our finances are that tight right now.

[kath]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

That is why I'm wiling to overpay at Staples. Michaels and Hobby Lobby are both 4 gallons of gas away. I know that does not sound like much, but our finances are that tight right now.

The way I go through those bags, there's no way I'd pay $7 for one pack but I don't have any trouble getting cheap ones right near the place we shop at every week. I'd get them in bulk online if I'd have to pay more locally.

Four gallons of gas is a HUGE amount at today's prices.

[Tomato Beth]

I would be having a talk with the manager of that Walmart about those employees. That kind of behavior, especially the drug comment, is inexcusable. Papermart.com has a lot of mailing supplies at fantastic prices for bulk orders.

[Barb_FL]

Check just the sewing isle in Walmart, they have zip lock bags for buttons, I guess 1.5x2, and 2x3 for $.99 for 100. I bought the smaller ones and they are tiny.

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Check just the sewing isle in Walmart, they have zip lock bags for buttons, I guess 1.5x2, and 2x3 for $.99 for 100. I bought the smaller ones and they are tiny.

Yes, those are what I buy at walmart too. They call it the crafts isle here, but that's them!

[Fiishergurl]

I don't understand this swap at all... lol. And too busy working and tending the fall tomato garden to figure it out. Plus I have about 50 varieties that I haven't even tried yet due to lack of space and 2014 was my first year growing tomatoes... lol. But good luck to everybody.

Ginny

[LindyAdele]

If anyone in Canada is looking for small zip-bags, I recommend Dollarama. You get 80 for $1,which in Canada is excellent. It was $5 in Michaels and walmart is hit-or-miss whether they have any in stock. I like the extra-fine sharpies to write on them with, but am considering printing off a piece of paper for each pack with the seed collection information on it, the DTM, category info, etc.

What info do people want to have included with the seeds besides the name?

[dustdevil]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

Kath, my wife works at the nearby Walmart I called there today to find out if they had the zip packs, but the Walmart operator did not know how to direct my call to the Arts and Crafts section of the store. I explained it was between the Sewing section and Toys, but it didn't help. Then I explained that Arts and Crafts is only 5 isles away from the operator, and it did not help.

The $1.99 zip packs are actually outsourced from Beadaholique. Kind of like how the Walmart Vision Center and Walmart Pharmacy are actually just rented/leased out areas in Walmart. Neither are actually Walmart. That's why you find a McDonalds in some Walmarts and a Subway or countless other eating joints in other Walmarts.

I have already gone to our local Walmart and explained exactly what I needed and why. Someone there thought I wanted to sell drugs because I wanted a small zip pack. I do not know how drugs are sold, but I don't ever want to feel like how I felt that day.

That is why I'm wiling to overpay at Staples. Michaels and Hobby Lobby are both 4 gallons of gas away. I know that does not sound like much, but our finances are that tight right now.

If you use a bubble mailer, you probably want a #000 from Walmart. Most Walmarts carry them singly or in packs of 10. The #000 fits nicely inside a 6" x 9" clasp envelope, also available at Walmart.

Small zip bags are available on eBay also. Manilla coin envelopes are an alternative to the small zips. I've had people send me seeds in the corner of a used envelope that they cut to make a small envelope and taped it shut.