M.S. 905
Lower Beechmont 4211
Old traditional
Open Pollinated varieties
with no chemical treatment,
and none genetically engineered.

Phone (07) 5533 1107
Office Hours
8am - 4pm, Monday to Friday
FAX (07) 5533 1108 (ANYTIME)


SPRING 2008 NEWSLETTER

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Old Traditional varieties Eden Seeds started home garden seed collecting as natural thing to do. We are in danger of losing old traditional vegetables. We hope to provide an alternative to shop bought varieties. Tomatoes Allen Gilbert in his book “Tomatoes for Everyone" gives a brief history. Yellow tomatoes were taken to Europe in the 1500s as ornamentals. The were thought to be poisonous like many others of the solanum family and were only eaten cooked. It wasn’t till the 1800s that they were grown commercially. Allen explains that many modern supermarket and process varieties are grown to be mechanically harvested and are picked green. Of course they are gassed later to appear uniformly red and have the ability to stand on the shelf for long periods. Allen thinks supermarket varieties often taste like cardboard. Real Taste Whenever I go to the Brisbane Organic growers annual market day people who see that we have the old traditional varieties often ask first “do you still have the old tomatoes – you know the ones which taste like real tomatoes”. Of course other vegetables are going through the same process of selection for transport and shelf life and what suffers is the nutritional value and taste and flavour. The old traditional tomato varieties, many of which used to be commercially grown had thin skins and soft flesh and the only way to get them is by growing them yourself or finding a local farmer who is growing for a select market like restaurants or concerned consumers. Sun ripened Wendy E Cook researched the effects of our food on our bodies and consciousness after her daughter became ill. In her book “Foodwise” in the tomato section she points out that no amount of cooking will make an unpalatable unripe tomato palatable. It is best to have the tomato sun-ripened. Pick them once they have matured under the influence of the sun. She also says tomatoes are a good liver tonic and that people with cancers should avoid them, quoting Rudolf Steiner the founder of the Biodynamic organic growing method. To me green says don’t eat me and ripe says “OK now come and eat me I am nutritious, tasty and I want you to spread by seeds”. Tomatoes are of course notorious for seedlings popping up in dumps, composts and sewerage as well as last years garden site. The birds and possums do a good job spreading the seeds too. I would like to add to the sun ripened idea that all plants including tomatoes are best grown organically and not force fed on water soluble nutrients. Compost is best but a worm farm may be most convenient for those gardeners with limited space. In Keith and Irene Smiths publication “The Aussie Tomato Book” it is stated that the best tomatoes are from you own backyard – for all the above reasons.

Saving Seeds It is important these days to learn how to save your own seed as will as organically growing some food in the backyard. I was lucky that all my grandparents were largely self sufficient in vegetables. It was a natural practice of may father to save a few seeds. With tomatoes its very easy – just squash the best fully ripe fruit in a bucket and add water, stir daily and let them ferment for 3 days. Float off the flesh and skins refilling the bucket a few times. The seeds will appear at the bottom and when they are clean enough dry in the sun bringing them in at night. Only cucumbers have a similar treatment to get rid of the jelly surrounding the seed. All other seed only needs winnowing and sieving. Michel and Jude Fantons “Seed Saving Handbook” is a valuable guide to avoid cross pollination. Now 180 Tomato varieties are available We have recently received from Picco Seeds in Tasmania a large new range of tomato see, organically grown out in the field. Peter Coxhead and David Pinner have searched Tasmania and the mainland for years collecting the old traditional varieties. This year they have produced 89 varieties with a further 50 to be trialed next year. Most are well suited to any warm areas. We have been given the opportunity to make these available to our customers. They are not listed in our catalogue for 2008-09 so you can only access them on our websites: www.edenseeds.com.au or www.selectorganic.com.au. Available are fine tasting varieties originally developed in Russia, France, Italy, USA, Thailand, Czechoslavakia, New Zealand, Poland and several old varieties in Australia. Also many unusual varieties and some for drying, paste, bottling, sandwiches, salads and simply for eating out of the hand. We have quick maturing varieties also many with low acid and one often regarded and the most beautiful of all tomatoes. Tomatoes do best when the soil temperature is at least 16C. It is easy to grow a tray indoors or use a propagation box and transplant them when its warm in you area. We are proud to be able to offer, as usual, the widest range of all old traditional vegetable varieties, herbs and flowers. Our group of keen staff are dedicated to offer efficient and fast service in the cheerful manner. Best wishes for an enjoyable growing season. Hope we can be of assistance to you. Alf Finch

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Corms For Planting Arrowroot Queensland Arrowroot, Corms x3 - $7.00 (Please add bulk postage) Lemon Grass This originally came out with the first fleet. It grows by division. It is hardy and if kept moist should show signs of striking in 2-3 weeks. Plant immediately they are received. Cuttings x 5 - $5.00 Cuttings x 50 - $30.00 (Please add bulk postage) Tumeric * Due to overwhelming demand we are now completely sold out of Tumeric Corms

Green Manure Mixes The mix may vary a little depending on availability. Our aim is to make available as many reasonably priced legumes, grains and herbs as possible. Not all mature together. That's O.K, dig them in anyway. Spring mixes now available for: - Cool/Mild Climate - Sub Tropics - Tropics - Western Australia 200g $6.00 1kg $15.00 3kg $39.00 (Please add bulk postage) Please note: for Western Australia customers we can only send the Western Australia Green Manure Mix. To view the list of seeds in each mix & to order, visit our website: www.edenseeds.com.au or phone us on: (07) 5533 1107

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Some Considerations for Sowing Seed We have room again this year to include a planting guide on our website, www.edenseeds.com.au You may use this as a guide though local knowledge is most useful. Gardeners are usually very willing to share their experiences and talking about gardening is a great way to meet like minded people. Soil Temperature We have listed soil temperatures for sowing though I am sure not many people test soil temperature before planting. If seeds are sown as soon as the frost is cleared some seeds germinate but grow very slowly. Planting several weeks later, once it is starting to warm up, is not a great disadvantage because plants grow more quickly in warmer weather. On the other hand sowing in trays indoors can get plants established for transplanting and give a keen gardener six to eight weeks start on the season. A second planting can be done once it is warm enough so you can have early and later harvesting. In any case the soil temperature list may be useful. Many plants that tolerate frosty conditions do not do well if frosted when they are still tiny seedlings. Many winter vegetables are best planted in autumn so they are established before the first frost comes. It is best if you become familiar with your local conditions. Planting Depth A general rule is to plant seeds twice as deep as they are wide. This means that larger seeds are planted more deeply, smaller ones just under the surface. However if you have heavy soil it may be best to cover smaller seeds with sandy loam or even just sand so they can easily emerge once they germinate. Many seeds can then be covered with cardboard or plastic at the time of sowing, to keep them moist. Check them daily to see that they do not dry out. If they are already moist in heavy soil they will not need watering again. The cover can be taken off once they have germinated which usually takes 5 to 7 days. Remember to keep them moist once they are uncovered.

Spacing We have made spacing suggestions. It is important to remember the size of the mature plants because if they get too bunched up they will shade each other out, grow rank and be less productive. When plants are more open air can circulate, light can enter and fungal diseases are reduced. The result is in better health and productivity. Shade All plants will grow successfully in full sun. Only plants whose product is green leaf may benefit from some period of shade. They don't need great amounts of energy from the sun to form fruits. Bitterness can be reduced by reduced sunlight. Even so it is best to harvest green leaf plants when they are young thus avoiding some tendency to bitterness. Mild Climates In milder climates in sheltered town gardens and by the sea, where conditions include no frost all plantings can be later and earlier. Herbs Herbs require similar conditions to vegetables. We can give no one ideal set of growth conditions. As a general guide most require a sunny position, moist and well drained, mulched, mostly fertile weed-free soil, protected from frost and wind. Herbs can be grown under glass, shadecloth and in sheltered positions throughout the year. Alf Finch

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Old Traditional Vegetables Thank-you for your interest in the old traditional vegetable varieties. It has now been over 20 years since the hobby of saving our endangered food heritage became a registered business as Eden Seeds. In the late 1980's plant variety right legislation brought Australia in line with other Western nations to enable greater patenting of newly bred varieties for those who could afford it and had an interest in new hybrids. In that time an estimated 60% of open pollinated varieties have disappeared from the major seed company lists. We have a small and dedicated band of growers keen to return seed to us to ensure that some of these dropped varieties remain available to home gardens and many small commercial vegetable growers. The Largest Range We have the largest range of old traditional vegetable and flower varieties on offer in Australia as well as herbs, trees, grains, green manures and seeds for sprouting. So thank-you to those keen growers. By using these seeds in your garden you support them in their endeavours. Seed saving techniques are not hard to learn and many varieties may be saved from any sunny household garden. Several well researched publications are available with the Seed Savers Network of Australia publication of such high standing that it is now translated into several languages.

Best Quality The old varieties are our Food Heritage, selected to be the hardiest, most nutritious and best tasting. Hybrids are Genetically Modified Most concern about genetically modified food today centres around splicing of genes from one species into another. However the every day hybrid most often found in every supermarket is also genetically modified by man's interference with the natural pollination process. Hybrids are the result of closing of the vegetable flower and pollinating it from itself. This is an inbred. Then two inbreds are forcefully pollinated to create a hybrid which is nominated F1. When these are further closed and forcefully pollinated the result is known and F2. Once again, thank-you for supporting our company and our growers who wish to give you the choice to use open pollinated varieties for your enjoyment and benefit. Enjoy your gardening.

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Moon Planting Guide 2009
The 2009 Astro Calendar of the Antipodes. The author has combined his interest in naked eye astronomy and the plant world to produce this bio-dynamic planetary planting guide. Detailed explanations on sun, moon, and planetary rhythms, and their connections to life in the plant world. Builds into a reference work. Available for delivery now.
Brian Keats, 2008, 30 pages $22.00


Moon Planting Guide For Gardeners 2009
(Wall Chart)
Wall chart approximately 276mm x 780mm. Excellent quick reference. Available for delivery now.
Brian Keats, 2008, 2 pages. $15.00

• Buy 10 copies for friends or club members and pay $110.00 including postage paid. Call us for this special offer on: (07) 5533 1107.

Moon Planting Guide 2008
The 2008 Astro Calendar of the Antipodes. The author has combined his interest in naked eye astronomy and the plant world to produce this bio-dynamic planetary planting guide. Detailed explanations on sun, moon, and planetary rhythms, and their connections to life in the plant world. Builds into a reference work.
Brian Keats, 2007, 30 pages $12.00

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PLEASE NOTE We are not a farming advisory service. For commercial advice please contact your local Agricultural Department. We supply Traditional Open Pollinated seed for home gardeners and information supplied is done so in good faith. We take no responsibility for its accuracy. The surrounding environment differs throughout the country and each individuals personal tastes likes and dislikes differ. For more information consult gardening books or magazines. Local knowledge is invaluable. Join your local garden club, talk to older members of the community who have had years of experience. A handy book is “YATES GARDEN GUIDE”. Available at libraries and newsagencies, though you may wish to seek information on fertilizing from other publications.

If you are looking for Certified Organic seeds we have a large range available called: "Select Organic" -Now including 89 new tomato varieties! Visit our Select Organic website: www.selectorganic.com.au Eden Seeds & Select Organic Seeds are also available in selected local retail outlets.

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