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ADAPT and RENEW Scientists Make A Difference at Seed Savers Exchange
The 2018community science programs , consisting of 80 Seed Savers Exchange member , helped us take another giant step forward in preserving our collection . A total of 62 members participated in theADAPTprogram , while 29 take part in theRENEWprogram — and some penis did both . We are tremendously grateful for the passion and commitment that drive our member volunteer to help us pursue our mission .
Update : Community science programs , including ADAPT and RENEW , are now undecided to both phallus and non - members to take part .
The 29 members who contract part in the RENEW program help us with the all important task of regenerating our assemblage . These 29 penis grew 41 varieties for fresh seed that will both ensure the survival of these varieties in our seed bank building for decades to come and make them available to the public through our seed Exchange . These efforts go to the gist of our commission at Seed Savers Exchange .
The 2018 ADAPT program participants live across the United States.
Learn more about the Seed Savers Exchange collection .
Participants in the ADAPT plan gave us invaluable feedback on 14 varieties from our collection that were selected for ADAPT because of their interesting and unparalleled qualities . These mixed bag were grown by participants from 31 different states across USDA hardiness zone 4 - 9 .
ADAPT participants sent us feedback on the form through an online survey for traits such as vigor , productivity , and flavour . Participants also gave each variety an overall score and note whether or not they would grow the variety again .
The 2018 ADAPT program participants live across the United States.
brainstorm into some of the change grow by ADAPT participants follow . All of the miscellanea are useable from Seed Savers Exchange through theExchange .
Cabbage 179 – ‘Filderkraut’
A favourite of many , ‘ Filderkraut ’ is undeniably a magnetic cabbage . It is tardy to ripen and want up to three multiplication the amount of space of other dough — but patience pay off .
Its huge , stunning mind are best identify by Patricia Eller of Washington State : “ I bang this simoleons ! The cone human body was really a conversation slice . It was awesome to watch it get adult and bigger ! ”
Bjorn Bergman of Wisconsin had good advice for growers : “ This is a very long - season moolah that is like in suppurate time to Brussels sprouts . Next season I would plant them the same time that I plant Brussels sprouts so they mature later on in the fall for later - season Jerry - devising . ”
‘Filderkraut’ cabbage, grown by Bjorn Bergman.
In fact , this simoleons takes so long to age that one participant thought it was a leaf pelf and gave up on it before it started forming a head .
Most gibe that ‘ Filderkraut ’ was prodigious for ferments , with one say that it provided lots of liquid for covering . Seven of eight growers said they would maturate this mixed bag again .
Pepper 444 – ‘Italian Sweet Fryer’
This huge , angelical , fry white pepper was popular for its sapidity and productiveness . According to Kathleen Davidson of Illinois , “ sautéing ( and broiling ) really brought out the sweetness in this variety . ”
Others enjoyed the flavor raw , describing it as fresh and mild . All grower agreed that the plant are improbable and want to be staked , reaching 5′ marvelous in Sondra Feldstein ’s garden in central Iowa .
A few growers , including Linda Holmes of Wisconsin , notice that this common pepper outperformed others under disease pressure : “ The Piper nigrum that are our old standby did very ill . The ‘ Fry ’ was the only plant that gave us more than three peppers . ”
‘German Extreme Dwarf Bush’ tomatoes, grown by Liz and Talus Piatkowski.
Tomato 948 – ‘German Extreme Dwarf Bush’
There is a Lycopersicon esculentum for every social function , and even though the absolute majority of growers did not think extremely of ‘ German Extreme Dwarf Bush , ’ it still had its cheerleaders .
Debi Bonkoski summed it up for most by saying , “ This motley seemed to sputter in the garden . ” The culprits ranged wide from thrips ( Howard Nemerov of Texas ) , to wilt ( Tim Noyes of Florida ) , to septoria ( Kathleen Davidson of Illinois ) .
Despite this , the tomato did have some redeeming qualities . Its myopic height and other maturity make it a expert choice for container horticulture .
‘Gropp Pie Melon,’ grown at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah.
As for all - authoritative flavor , Tim Noyes was estimate in his description : “ Definitely not run to win any prize , but a good early tomato . ” Most others were similarly half - hearted in their praise of its flavour .
Okra 12 – ‘Poole’s’
seldom is there consensus like there was around the timbre of ‘ Poole ’s ’ okra . All four agriculturist would urge the form to others and regrow it themselves .
Jake Weakley of Missouri tell that it became his favorite variety : “ I really enjoy the spirit much more than ‘ Clemson ’ okra . ” Others praised it for its tremendous production and long pods that “ stay pinnace even when they were 4 -5″ long , ” according to Patricia Eller of Washington State . We at Seed Savers Exchange happen to agree .
Melon 591 – ‘Gropp Pie Melon’
Feedback for this melon vine reiterate the fact that successfully growing sure-enough fellowship heirloom melons can be a real challenge .
The plants in Sondra Feldstein ’s Iowa garden succumbed to disease during a wet August after “ start out beautifully . ” At Seed Savers Exchange , we can sympathise with melon heartbreak .
Jonna Flickr of Missouri encountered another common problem . “ I was n’t sure exactly when to harvest . These are to be picked slightly under good for pie , but I did n’t know how to tell when that was . ” She goes on to say , “ They tasted pretty expert when fully mature and eaten wise . ”
Laura Kutka of Wisconsin disagreed . “ We found that we did not care for the taste ; it was bitter and sweet while still having a ‘ vegetable ’ quality to it . ” When asked whether she would grow this variety again , Sondra kindly reply : “ I always give thing a second luck . ”
Lettuce 20 – ‘Self-Seeding’
Perhaps unsurprisingly , most of the 13 participant who rise ‘ Self - Seeding ’ lettuce found that it was speedy to emerge and quick to gobble . All produce this as a spring crop , but more than a few people , include Sondra Raines Brooks of North Carolina , remarked that they would wish to try it as a pin harvest , mistrust it may not bolt as quickly then .
Even before it bolted , the leaves were a number rough and the flavor too bitter for Michael Cole of Wisconsin .
Several growers express interest in its flowering genetics , and Kathleen Davidson was impressed with how quickly the seminal fluid heads went from closed to “ open like a dandelion ” liken to other variety .
One could conclude that if you desire a low - maintenance lettuce and grow many successions throughout the season , ‘ Self - Seeding ’ might be the one for you . Or your chickens .
Tomato 6565 – ‘Large Yellow Tomato’
As spoiled for choice as we are when it comes to tomatoes , glowing reviews such as those for the aptly named ‘ Large Yellow Tomato ’ must argue something extra .
Lindsay Pepper of Iowa did n’t deduct any congratulations when she said , “ large ! Loved it fresh . Loved it cook . Beautiful plant , beautiful fruit . Productive . ”
John Karon of New Mexico was equally impressed : “ They were very vigorous and had marvelous production . cracking flavor , as good or better than ‘ Dr. Wyche ’s Yellow’—my standard for yellow tomato . This motley is a existent success ! ”
magnanimous flavor sometimes means full-grown plants , which holds true for this diversity . Vachel Lindsay will have to adjust her trellising system when she grows it again next twelvemonth : “ Grown in a raised layer — needed more supporting than I gave . Broke the tomato cage . Sprawling . ”
Want to Participate?
We ’re already looking forward to shape with future residential district scientists — and we go for that includes you !
ADAPT
TheCommunity Science ADAPTprogram is a fun and exciting way to get involved in Seed Savers Exchange ’s mission of maintain and apportion our solid food crop heritage . Participants in this programme tryout sort from the seed bank in their own gardens and beam us feedback on their performance . This information avail us better understand the adaptability of these varieties to different environments and channelise our pick summons for new introductions into the Seed Savers Exchange catalog . ADAPT is suited for gardener of all tier
Sign - ups for the 2025 ADAPT program have close . If you ’d like to conjoin us next year , pleasefill out the form , and we will be in pinch in early January 2026 with more information on what trial we ’re declare oneself and how to enter .
Renew
Are you an experienced seminal fluid rescuer ? Then sign up up for theRENEW programand aid us reclaim rarified varieties from the collection .
Seed Savers Exchange ’s location in northeasterly Iowa presents challenges to regenerate sure varieties . Some variety show may require a longer growing time of year than this clime affords , while others do not winter well ( or at all ) here . The time and care required to participate in this program are significant , but they go to the heart of our mission .
If this syllabus occupy you and you palpate that you are an experient seed rescuer , please netmail Briana Burke , ejaculate banking concern manager , at bsmorstad@seedsavers.org or call ( 563 ) 387 - 5685 .
If this is your first year , anticipate a 20 - 30 minute telephone call to speak about the course of study and see if this is a just conniption for your system .
Originally posted January 22 , 2019 . update February 6 , 2025 .
Keep Exploring
When you make a purchase from Seed Savers Exchange , you help fulfill our non-profit-making delegation to protect our food for thought and garden heritage . Do even more dependable by make a donation to serve us preserve and share even more heirloom varieties !
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