2014 Mostly Mystery 'Mater Mailing

[KarenO]

Originally Posted by LindyAdele

Has anyone had trouble with customs? I didn't know what to write on the customs label... I thought tomato seeds might be examined. I wrote 'garden supply' and hoped that wouldn't raise suspicions. I don't actually know if it's legal to mail seeds... I sent my package from Canada and hope it will arrive early next week.

How many packages have come in already Tormato?

It's legal to send seeds. I write "vegetable seeds" and "gift" on the customs label. My declared value is the return postage I included. It will get there. Never a problem and always just say what's in the package.
K

[AlittleSalt]

Originally Posted by KarenO

It's legal to send seeds. I write "vegetable seeds" and "gift" on the customs label. My declared value is the return postage I included. It will get there. Never a problem and always just say what's in the package.
K

I did the same at the post office. Of course, my bubble mailer was going to Tormato here in the states. Days later, I sent Gary a letter with 10 packs of seed to sponsor a friend here. I told the postal worker that I was sending tomato seeds, and they explained the process a 49 cent stamped letter goes through and offered a 70 cent "Do not bend" process that I felt was better.

I did not know what to expect from the post office. I left the bubble mailer and envelope unsealed until the postal worker put the stamps on them - just in case they wanted to look inside.

[Lindalana]

I have had multiple problems with seeds from Europe. Most often they will not come if send in bubble envy. Only plain letter envelope without mentioning company name work reliably.
I used to order primula seeds from Barnhaven and now they have obligatory phyto cert for nearly $15 to each order... bummer
I have sent my seeds on Wed, just now realizing I did not included my return addy. I did sent plenty of stamps though.

[tnpeppers]

Swappers...anyone out there have access to Gaspe corn?

[LindyAdele]

This is my first swap - and I'm really excited! I know my return package won't arrive for a month or two... and I know that I can only realistically grow 16 or so tomato plants... but still! It'll be better than any Christmas present to receive surprise seeds in the mail! I'm sure that there will be a few I didn't even know I wanted, and I'll have to re-design my garden plan for the spring. I just really appreciate everything, Gary! I wanted you to know that.
Who else is feeling excited?

[MrBig46]

Only plain letter envelope with seeds is the most secure to send seeds to the Czech Republic. No writing, only seeds and their name.
Vladimír

[Tormato]

Vladimir,

I'll likely send you at least 2 plain letter envelopes, each with the same seed varieties (heart tomatoes and flowers). That way would be the best chance of you getting the seeds.

Gary

[MrBig46]

Thank you
Vladimír

[habitat_gardener]

I packed everything up this weekend and will get to the post office tomorrow! Most of the ones I sent are bonuses.

[Virtex]

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a padded envelope full of seeds.

Milk, cookies and tomatoes are on the fireplace for you.

Just wanted to share my excitement for the day Saint Tormato comes to everyones house. I know you might not arrive till after Christmas but I am still getting that feeling like when I was a child waking up in the morning seeing if Santa came.

Thanks again for all your hard work, I am sure you are in the thick of it right now.

Give a carrot to Rudolph from me.

- Scott

[daninpd]

Hey Santa.
I'm pretty much ditto for everything Scott just wrote, but I'm also going to take the glass doors off my fireplace and call in a chimney sweep so you don't get any soot on your (ahem) "tomato red" Santa suit. And I'm experimenting on some white chocolate chip and sun dried tomato cookies for you. Who knows, maybe you will be the first one to like them.

And, thanks again, for all of your hard work.

Merry Christmas to you and everybody who celebrates this wonderful holiday. And, dang it, Merry Christmas to all of you, even if you don't! Just wish me a happy whatever you do celebrate and I will accept it with good cheer and wish the same to you!
Dan

[AlittleSalt]

I can't help but to say I am excited too. I'm already gathering info on how and when to start seeds indoors. What kind of soil/non-soil to start seeds in. I even told my wife that I am going to build seed starting shelves in our home - she agreed

For me, growing tomatoes and peppers are exactly what the doctor ordered. Gary, thank you for the excitement.

[Tormato]

I'll try to post the "bonuses" list (mostly flowers) on Saturday.

I'm also hosting a bean, pea, and other legume swap (Round Robin Exchange at Gardenweb). I'll likely post the first list of what has been sent in, early next week. Since that swap is at about 200 varieties and climbing (like Jack's beanstalk), I'll likely only post it there, and then provide a link to it, here. Some, but not all, of those varieties will be available to those in the MMMM swap.

Gary

[Tormato]

Bonuses

(forgive my spelling (if needed)).

flowers

Althea Rosea white
Sideritis Syriaca "Mountain Tea"
Hesperis matronalis
Cynoglossum amabile (Chinese Forget-Me-Not)
Digitalis mixed colors
Devils Snare (Datura stramanium) [1 pack]
marigold Tashkent #1
zinnia Purple Prince [1 pack]
dahlia Yellow Dinnerplate [1 pack]
zinnia Envy [2 packs]
dahlia Dark Foliage Orange Loretta [1 pack]
zinnia Red Spider [1 pack]
Wildflower countryside mix [1 pack]
Yucca Lily?
purple coneflower [1 pack]
annual cutflower mix [1 pack]

eggplant Ping Tung Long (several packs are already reserved0
eggplant Early Long Purple (same)

melon Noir di Carmes
melon Sweet Passion
melon Rocky Ford
melon Honeydew [1 pack]
watermelon Sugar Baby

dill Frank's Extra Large

cucumber Boston Pickling [2 packs]
cucumber Japanese Long [1 pack]

squash Lemon [1 pack]
squash Tennis Ball [1 pack]

fennel bulb seed

Sunberry

Litchi tomato

purple tomatillo


(there may be more things , buried under the mountain of beans)

[saltmarsh]

I would like a pack of the dill Frank's Extra Large please. Claud