SEED SAVER
Jasmin Hill
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Hi everyone :)
Welcome to my page! I am proud to be the caretaker of our Seed Savers Library and to share all of my home grown seeds with you all. I have always loved collecting seeds but for a long time didn't know how much was involved in truly saving them for future generations. After finding so many of my collections of seeds were no longer viable I began to look in to saving seeds myself. I have now embarked upon a life long journey of learning and saving all the fabulous varieties of seeds we have available here in NZ.
All of my gardens are grown and managed organically with love.
Welcome to my page! I am proud to be the caretaker of our Seed Savers Library and to share all of my home grown seeds with you all. I have always loved collecting seeds but for a long time didn't know how much was involved in truly saving them for future generations. After finding so many of my collections of seeds were no longer viable I began to look in to saving seeds myself. I have now embarked upon a life long journey of learning and saving all the fabulous varieties of seeds we have available here in NZ.
All of my gardens are grown and managed organically with love.
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I moved here to Orepuki in Western Southland in 2017 with only a small amount of gardening experience and a huge desire to learn more. In the middle of nowhere with some of the most extreme weather conditions in the country I found my little piece of paradise. The land was quite depleted, it had been left to over grow and had become a bit of a rubbish dump for the previous renters. One of my neighbours with a very large digger offered to clear the section for me and I jumped at the chance. An old gold mining town the topsoil had been turned over in previous years and is mostly clay so I had a lot of work to do. Surrounded by farmland and with the ocean at my doorstep we have access to some amazing soil replenishers.. Bull Kelp has become my favourite garden fertiliser and bed builder, I really love it! When I met Chris in 2018 he was running a local dairy farm and there was a huge pile of old native bark chips that came out of the calf rearing sheds from the previous 3 years of calving, what an amazing score! 2 truck loads later and my soils were getting a brilliant kick start. At the end of Chris's last season on the farm in 2019 I got another truck load of the same bark chips from that season moved to a neighbours farm to break down and now it's become a beautiful big pile of soil/compost. 2021 I found an amazing compost supplier who uses native sawdust in their huge calf berthing and rearing sheds, I've never seen so many worms before! This compost is like moving trailer loads of worm farms on to my gardens! It's amazing stuff! This year, 2022, I moved the big pile of soil home and layered it with my wormy compost and bull kelp, along with some old dried chicken poop from a local free range, spray free egg farm.. and I sprinkled through lime and gypsum too. I will leave this pile to break down and become my compost to use over the next couple of years.
I have also inoculated all of my gardens with mycorrhiza fungi, which I totally recommend to everyone! Micogro Hort is brilliant stuff :)
I have also inoculated all of my gardens with mycorrhiza fungi, which I totally recommend to everyone! Micogro Hort is brilliant stuff :)
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Gardening organically has it's challenges especially when it comes to weeds which I've struggled with, so I decided I needed a low maintenance garden.
I found out last season from a local forrest gardener that sawdust works well for keeping plants down as it locks up the nitrogen in the soil as it's decomposing. Great news for me because we just happen to have a saw mill and a ton of extra sawdust! so now all of my pathways are covered in sawdust ready for 2022's spring bloom :) I'm excited to see how well it's going to work.
I found out last season from a local forrest gardener that sawdust works well for keeping plants down as it locks up the nitrogen in the soil as it's decomposing. Great news for me because we just happen to have a saw mill and a ton of extra sawdust! so now all of my pathways are covered in sawdust ready for 2022's spring bloom :) I'm excited to see how well it's going to work.
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Another challenge growing organically is pest control inside my glasshouses.. My first couple of years involved a tedious amount of spraying home made deterrents and neem oil to keep on top of the aphids and white flies, not my favourite job at all! But last season, after taking Troy Boyers advice, I decided to bring in Bioforce. I am truely impressed! Bioforce is an NZ company that breed predatory insects, I ordered Aphidus for Aphid control and Enforce for White fly control. Aphidus is amazing, watching their colony grow and devour a huge Aphid infestation on my Oregano that is in one of my glasshouse's, saving my chilli plants from impending doom! My oregano flourished and filled the glasshouse and my chillies were abundant and healthy and beautiful! I bought in Aphidus 3 times during the season and that was perfect. They can't really handle the cold and they die off in winter so they do need to be bought in every season, maybe not in northern areas though. Enforce for White fly worked well enough to hold them back until the end of the season when the white fly did a little damage.. but not too bad. Overall I am very pleased with the results from Bioforce, I never had to use any pesky sprays at all! I will definitely be continuing to use them.
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Cayenne Long Red pepper - C annuum
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Bishops Crown chilli - C baccatum
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Blog
October 2022
A collection of Spring photo's from my gardens
A collection of Spring photo's from my gardens
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Aquilegia vulgaris - Winky double Red/White
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Wax-eye or Silvereye/tauhou
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August 2022
It's the beginning of spring here now and it's too cold to bring in Bioforce.. but I have spotted my first white flies on my overwintered plants. I am going to use a little pyrethrum to keep them in check until it's warm enough to introduce Enforce for white fly. I am not using neem oil as I would normally use because it has a long life and will effect the predatory insects as well as the pests. I'm not concerned about aphids because Aphidus works so well that I want some aphids around to feed them when I introduce them in about a month or so.
It's the beginning of spring here now and it's too cold to bring in Bioforce.. but I have spotted my first white flies on my overwintered plants. I am going to use a little pyrethrum to keep them in check until it's warm enough to introduce Enforce for white fly. I am not using neem oil as I would normally use because it has a long life and will effect the predatory insects as well as the pests. I'm not concerned about aphids because Aphidus works so well that I want some aphids around to feed them when I introduce them in about a month or so.
Seed Library listings
HERBS
Arnica 2024
Acmella oleracea - Toothache plant 2023
Ashwaganda 2023
Cat Mint (Nepeta) 2020
Chamomile - German (Matricaria chamomile) 2023
Greek Mountain tea - Ironwort 2023
Mullein 2023
Parsley - Green pearl (Crispum) 2020
Rosemary - Trailing (Rosmarinus prostrata) 2023
Rue (Ruta graveolens) 2020
St Johns Wort (Hypericum) 2022
Tobacco - Pink flowers 2020
FLOWERS
Acmella oleracea f. purpurea 2023
Anise Hysop (Agastache foeniculum) 2022
Aquilegia - Purple Granny's Bonnet (Aquilegia vulgaris) 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Mixed colours 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Orange and Yellow mix 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Bronze Beauty 2022
Cornflower - Blue (Centaurea cyanus) 2021
Dierama pulcherrimum - Angels fishing rod, Fairy wand 2021
Foxglove - Peach 2022
Foxglove - Purple (Digitalis purpurea) 2020
Honeywort (Cerinthe) 2021
Lupin - Yellow Bush (Lupinus) 2021
Marigold, African - Orange (Tagetes Erecta) 2021
Marigold, Jolly Jester (Tagetes Patula) 2020
Marshmallow 2023
Phacelia tanacetifolia 2023
Poppy - Red Ruffles (Papaver Somniferum) 2021
Red Campion (Silene Dioica) 2022
Scabiosa - Mix Deep purple & Pink 2023
Sunflower - Short 2022
Valerian - (Valeriana Officinalis) 2022
VEGETABLES
BEANS
American Pean 2023
Anasazi 2023
Cranberry Dwarf 2023
Yugoslavian Dwarf 2023
Corn/Maize
Kaanga Ma - Maize Corn
Onions
Chives - Garden 2024
Italian long Keeper 2023
Spring Onions - Tokyo Long White 2022
Yellow Spanish 2023
Peas
French Mangetout 2024
Roots & Tubers
White Icicle - Radish (Raphanus sativus) 2020
Tutaekuri/Urenika Maori potato seed tubers Harvested to order
Mashua - Perennial Nasturtium Harvested to order
Pumpkin, Squash & Gourd
Ronde de Nice, C. pepo 2024
Salad & Leaf
Silverbeet - White Ribbed, Cross pollinated 2022
Spinach - Perpetual 2022
Tomatoes
Andine Cornue 2023
Azoychka 2020
Beauty King 2021
Berkeley Tie Died 2020
Big Rainbow 2021
Black Nyagous 2021
Black Cherry 2023
Blue Beauty 2023
BMATO 2024
Citrina 2021
Dino Eggs 2021
Golden Grape 2023
Green Vernissage 2020
Indigo Blueberry 2020
Lemon Ice - Dwarf 2021
Mexican Midget 2023
Mr Snow 2020
Orange Valencia 2021
Purple Calabash - Dwarf 2021
Purple Cherokee 2021
Southern Star 2024
Small Sweet Orange 2020
Tangella 2019/2020
Vintage Wine 2020
Voyage 2020
Wherokowhai - Dwarf 2021
White cherry 2020
Peppers & Chillies
Aji Armarillo (C. baccatum) 2023
Aji Pineapple (C. baccatum) 2023
Antho Cayenne 2024
Bangalore Whippets Tail Chilli (C. frutescens x C. annuum) 2022
Bishops Crown Chilli (C. baccatum var pendulum) 2023
Cayenne - Long thin Red (C. annuum) 2022
Count Dracula (C. annuum) 2022
Giallo Arancio (C. baccatum) 2022
Ljuti (C. annuum) -Yellow Cayenne 2022
Orange Rocoto (C. pubescens) 2022
Sugar Rush Peach Chilli (C. baccatum) 2022
Thai Chilli (C. annum) 2020
Yellow Fatalii (C. chinense) 2022
Spears, Stems & Stalks
Wild celery (Angelica archangelica) 2021 OLD SEED
Fruits & Berries
Cape Gooseberry 2021
Goji Berry 2022
SOLANUM FRUITS
Pepino el Camino - Solanum muricatum 2023
Tomatillo - Solanaceae Physalis philadelphica
Native , Wild
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) 2022 - Arrowtown, Central Otago
St Johns Wort (Hypericum) 2022 - Arrowtown, Central Otago
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) 2022 - Riverton beach, Southland
ORNAMENTALS
Mimosa Pudica 2024
MEDICINAL
Arnica 2024
Arnica 2024
Acmella oleracea - Toothache plant 2023
Ashwaganda 2023
Cat Mint (Nepeta) 2020
Chamomile - German (Matricaria chamomile) 2023
Greek Mountain tea - Ironwort 2023
Mullein 2023
Parsley - Green pearl (Crispum) 2020
Rosemary - Trailing (Rosmarinus prostrata) 2023
Rue (Ruta graveolens) 2020
St Johns Wort (Hypericum) 2022
Tobacco - Pink flowers 2020
FLOWERS
Acmella oleracea f. purpurea 2023
Anise Hysop (Agastache foeniculum) 2022
Aquilegia - Purple Granny's Bonnet (Aquilegia vulgaris) 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Mixed colours 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Orange and Yellow mix 2022
Calendula (calendula officinalis) Bronze Beauty 2022
Cornflower - Blue (Centaurea cyanus) 2021
Dierama pulcherrimum - Angels fishing rod, Fairy wand 2021
Foxglove - Peach 2022
Foxglove - Purple (Digitalis purpurea) 2020
Honeywort (Cerinthe) 2021
Lupin - Yellow Bush (Lupinus) 2021
Marigold, African - Orange (Tagetes Erecta) 2021
Marigold, Jolly Jester (Tagetes Patula) 2020
Marshmallow 2023
Phacelia tanacetifolia 2023
Poppy - Red Ruffles (Papaver Somniferum) 2021
Red Campion (Silene Dioica) 2022
Scabiosa - Mix Deep purple & Pink 2023
Sunflower - Short 2022
Valerian - (Valeriana Officinalis) 2022
VEGETABLES
BEANS
American Pean 2023
Anasazi 2023
Cranberry Dwarf 2023
Yugoslavian Dwarf 2023
Corn/Maize
Kaanga Ma - Maize Corn
Onions
Chives - Garden 2024
Italian long Keeper 2023
Spring Onions - Tokyo Long White 2022
Yellow Spanish 2023
Peas
French Mangetout 2024
Roots & Tubers
White Icicle - Radish (Raphanus sativus) 2020
Tutaekuri/Urenika Maori potato seed tubers Harvested to order
Mashua - Perennial Nasturtium Harvested to order
Pumpkin, Squash & Gourd
Ronde de Nice, C. pepo 2024
Salad & Leaf
Silverbeet - White Ribbed, Cross pollinated 2022
Spinach - Perpetual 2022
Tomatoes
Andine Cornue 2023
Azoychka 2020
Beauty King 2021
Berkeley Tie Died 2020
Big Rainbow 2021
Black Nyagous 2021
Black Cherry 2023
Blue Beauty 2023
BMATO 2024
Citrina 2021
Dino Eggs 2021
Golden Grape 2023
Green Vernissage 2020
Indigo Blueberry 2020
Lemon Ice - Dwarf 2021
Mexican Midget 2023
Mr Snow 2020
Orange Valencia 2021
Purple Calabash - Dwarf 2021
Purple Cherokee 2021
Southern Star 2024
Small Sweet Orange 2020
Tangella 2019/2020
Vintage Wine 2020
Voyage 2020
Wherokowhai - Dwarf 2021
White cherry 2020
Peppers & Chillies
Aji Armarillo (C. baccatum) 2023
Aji Pineapple (C. baccatum) 2023
Antho Cayenne 2024
Bangalore Whippets Tail Chilli (C. frutescens x C. annuum) 2022
Bishops Crown Chilli (C. baccatum var pendulum) 2023
Cayenne - Long thin Red (C. annuum) 2022
Count Dracula (C. annuum) 2022
Giallo Arancio (C. baccatum) 2022
Ljuti (C. annuum) -Yellow Cayenne 2022
Orange Rocoto (C. pubescens) 2022
Sugar Rush Peach Chilli (C. baccatum) 2022
Thai Chilli (C. annum) 2020
Yellow Fatalii (C. chinense) 2022
Spears, Stems & Stalks
Wild celery (Angelica archangelica) 2021 OLD SEED
Fruits & Berries
Cape Gooseberry 2021
Goji Berry 2022
SOLANUM FRUITS
Pepino el Camino - Solanum muricatum 2023
Tomatillo - Solanaceae Physalis philadelphica
Native , Wild
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) 2022 - Arrowtown, Central Otago
St Johns Wort (Hypericum) 2022 - Arrowtown, Central Otago
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) 2022 - Riverton beach, Southland
ORNAMENTALS
Mimosa Pudica 2024
MEDICINAL
Arnica 2024
Cucurbita Grow Down 2021-2022
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Cucurbitaceae Cucurbita
C. moschata - Tromboncino squash (Running Brook Seeds) C. maxima - Red Kuri (SSL) C. pepo - Ronde de Nice (Running Brook Seeds) White Marrow (Running Brook Seeds) |
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Corn Grow Down 2020-2021
Grammineae panicoideae zea mays
Blue Hopi Corn (Koanga)
60 plant stand
Corn Grow Down of 2020-21
What a great experience learning about growing corn for seed saving! Wow there is so much to learn I feel like I've only touched the sides! This year I decided to try to grow Blue Hopi corn in an attempt at saving seeds. My stand of 50 plants grew beautifully and looked great but the weather conditions here in coastal Western Southland are not favourable for growing corn. I'm not so sure what to do with my 'harvest' .. I'm thinking about drying them out and hanging them in spring for the birds to eat. I wanted to make maize flour but there isn't enough ripe kernels to bother so I thought about making a corn relish.
I also now have a beautiful big pile of green material to start this years compost pile with and a nice big patch of garden area where I think I will plant all of my garlic this year!
Now I have a reasonable understanding of how to grow corn so one day when I live in a warmer climate I will definitely be growing it again!
Blue Hopi Corn (Koanga)
60 plant stand
Corn Grow Down of 2020-21
What a great experience learning about growing corn for seed saving! Wow there is so much to learn I feel like I've only touched the sides! This year I decided to try to grow Blue Hopi corn in an attempt at saving seeds. My stand of 50 plants grew beautifully and looked great but the weather conditions here in coastal Western Southland are not favourable for growing corn. I'm not so sure what to do with my 'harvest' .. I'm thinking about drying them out and hanging them in spring for the birds to eat. I wanted to make maize flour but there isn't enough ripe kernels to bother so I thought about making a corn relish.
I also now have a beautiful big pile of green material to start this years compost pile with and a nice big patch of garden area where I think I will plant all of my garlic this year!
Now I have a reasonable understanding of how to grow corn so one day when I live in a warmer climate I will definitely be growing it again!
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I used my corn to make Corn Relish. Corn relish is usually made with Sweet corn and not maize corn so this relish tasted quite different. I love mixing a whole jar with Beans or mince to make a delicious Nacho's dish!
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