You want to test seeds for free?

[davaroo]

I got three packets of four bean seeds each, today. FOUR seeds - what am I supposed to do with four seeds? No garlic or any of the other beans I had requested were shipped, and there was no indication they would be.
Along with this "bounty," was some computerish, order-related gobbledy gook and the following photocopied letter (excerpted):

"Thank your for your interest in the NPGS....The NPGS is a cooperative research organization and our germplasm collections are designed to serve research objectives. It is the policy of the NPGS to provide available material in small quantities for research and genetic improvement purposes, not for home gardening or personal hobby type use
This order we will send you a few accessions, but not necessarily those you requested. Any further requests will be looked at more discreetly.
The reason for this is that government agencies are not allowed to maintain programs that would compete with private industry. We also are not staffed or funded to support the high lever of distribution needed to fulfill requests from home gardeners for their "veggie gardens."

Well! Rebuffed by seed bureaucrats... oh the irony! The nerve of these guys - I pay their salaries (I love saying that )

I'm wondering if I tried one of the other repositories, I might do better. These all came from the one in Pullman, WA.
SO what verbiage did you successful "seed pirates" use to get these guys to roll?

 

[Greensage45]

The seed packs that I have received have been 30-50 seeds in each.

My guess is that from those four seeds in each pack, qty 12, that you can get a nice crop and then some for future needs.

There is this little white/green bean called Flageolets Chevrier; it is so sought after by chefs that it is going for $18 pound.

Wishing you luck on your beans.

Ron

 

[davaroo]

The seed packs that I have received have been 30-50 seeds in each.

My guess is that from those four seeds in each pack, qty 12, that you can get a nice crop and then some for future needs.

There is this little white/green bean called Flageolets Chevrier; it is so sought after by chefs that it is going for $18 pound.

Wishing you luck on your beans.

Ron

SO let me ask again, Ron, how did you word your request?

 

[HiDelight]

I worded mine honestly

I gave my name and address ect then when it came to what I was doing with the seeds I just said

"to create a perpetual garden "


I have a LOT of lettuce seeds you guys I do not for the life of me think I ordered all this lettuce!

and peas

I am grateful for whatever they send to be honest...

who knew?

 

[Greensage45]

I just listed myself as my business, my current business name that is registered with the State of New Mexico; Haskell Designs.

I then stated for the purpose of my research as "Planting for the Renewal of Urban Sustainability"

That was it; although now I have a Fed-Ex account in the event that I can turn that over to them for use in the shipping.

Ron

 

[davaroo]

I tried the honest approach, too.

I don't know much about perpetual gardens (?) and urban sustainability sounds pretty good, I must admit. But I just said I wanted to test them for best results in my soil and to experiment for suitability as overwinter greenhouse sports. I selected varieties suited to southern climes. All true.

Maybe since I'm not improving or diversifying the germplasm pool, I am suspect in their eyes. I will now be "examined more discreetly" in the future. Hmmmm, kicked to the curb by the Seed Nazi's.

I should maybe try the "urban sustainability" verbiage...

It is a fun notion, though, and I do like the challenge of trying to get some return on my tax dollars.

 

[Greensage45]

It is a thought Davaroo, perhaps the more we think about it the more sense it makes to want to 'return to a sustainable' home and farm. Imagine, one day it could happen for what ever reason, if the grocery stores were emptied of product. It would be a mad mad world indeed.

But then, why not always try to reduce the trips to the store and begin to recapture our world as it was in the days of wholesome and healthy. I know that I kick and scream if I do have to go to the store. LOL

I think my next project is to investigate the Soap Tree Yucca. Make my own shampoo. How cool is that ?

Back to the post though, I currently have only received two packs of seeds and receipt of my order, listing out all that I entered. One note stated that the garlic seeds were 'unshipped', so I am assuming they are backordered or being processed.

At any rate, I am going to continue to pursue this course of "Research", perhaps I will be found out as a home gardener. LOL

Keep your head up though, what ever you ordered might still come in.

Ron

 

[davaroo]

It is a thought Davaroo, perhaps the more we think about it the more sense it makes to want to 'return to a sustainable' home and farm. Imagine, one day it could happen for what ever reason, if the grocery stores were emptied of product. It would be a mad mad world indeed.

But then, why not always try to reduce the trips to the store and begin to recapture our world as it was in the days of wholesome and healthy. I know that I kick and scream if I do have to go to the store. LOL

I think my next project is to investigate the Soap Tree Yucca. Make my own shampoo. How cool is that ?

Back to the post though, I currently have only received two packs of seeds and receipt of my order, listing out all that I entered. One note stated that the garlic seeds were 'unshipped', so I am assuming they are backordered or being processed.

At any rate, I am going to continue to pursue this course of "Research", perhaps I will be found out as a home gardener. LOL

Keep your head up though, what ever you ordered might still come in.

Ron

You mean until you're found out, Ron. The Seed Gestapo is watching.

But you're right, I don't know they wont be sending them - they only stated they were 'unshipped', as were yours. Im getting the sense though that they wont be... call it a gut feeling.
The conciliatory tone of the letter led me to believe they were humoring me and sending me a tidbit.... which came with a warning not to trifle them further, or I would be more "discreetly examined" (don't you love that turn of phrase?).

Its all good - you know I'm gonna try again

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a side note, this is just one small, little-known program we pay for, yet are essentially excluded from. Just wait 'til government manipulated health care gets into our wallets....

 

[sparkles2307]

I also got the "we are here for research and not to supply seeds to hobbyists" crap so I got all the stuff that I didnt really care about and none of the stuff I really wanted over the weekend...

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Those of you that did get what you ordered - how long did it take from the time you submitted the order until you started getting the seeds?