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More Highlights from Last Year's Community Seed Grow-outs

Every year, we invite gardeners across Canada to participate in seed saving projects that support conservation and sharing. Those who are new to saving seeds, or who have a few years of experience, are invited to get involved in Community Seed Grow-out (CGO) projects. These are aimed toward gardeners with good experience growing plants, enough space for proper seed-saving isolation, and an enthusiasm for multiplying seeds for next year's projects and for sharing with other gardeners in their communities.

Last fall, member Stephen March told his story of growing the Petitbec tomato as part of the 2025 CGO. We received a few other highlights from growers which we are delighted to share with you now. Take a look!

If this article has inspired you to join this year's projects, registration is open now for 2026!

Centennial Rocket tomato - Rosalie, Lacombe AB

Shared August 2025

I am so excited to be growing the Centennial rocket tomato because I live in Lacombe on the property of Harvey Allen who was the main man behind the introduction of this tomato in 1967. I am pleased to keep the tomato going that was developed in Lacombe and trial plants would have been grown in my yard by horticulturalist Harvey Allen.

The tomato plants are just loaded with nicely shaped, round tomatoes. The tomato cages are barely holding up the weight from all the tomatoes. About 10 clusters.

Green Forest, Rhazes, Little Gem, Dazzle lettuces - Wolfsong, Teulon MB

Shared August 2025

It's been a challenge this year, between drought conditions and smoke from forest fires, but 3 of 4 lettuces are doing great!

Green Forest came up the best, and transplanted beautifully.

Rhazes is gorgeous and starting to bolt.

Little Gem only had 4 seeds germinate, but all 4 made it to plant out.

Dazzle...oh Dazzle...I planted all the seeds, 1 germinated and it turned out to be grass.

I did find seeds for Little Gem at Ecoseedbank Canada (bought some for myself to grow next year, because it's a tasty lettuce!). We had 2 light frosts, but with coverage the lettuces came through with no issues. We're now in a lovely warm streak for the next 2-3 weeks so everyone should have ample time to set seeds.

Quinte tomato - Valerie of Three Bags Full Farm, Brighton ON

Shared October 2025

I always grow too many seedlings so I ended up having a bunch extra. I posted them on a resource sharing group in Brighton as well as for free on Facebook Marketplace. I did say the condition was that they would save seeds. We created a little chat group and I would remind them when I was taking certain steps during the summer like pruning the plants or staking them. When it was time for seed saving I sent them a little instructional video.

I’m not sure how many people saved seeds, I know a couple did. My hope is to get people enjoying heirloom tomatoes. My secret agenda is to increase food security and local food system resilience. Several people also shared stories on how they preserve tomatoes over the winter.

I think I’ll do the same thing again next year and maybe create a few seed savers along the way. That’s the Quinte tomato story in Quinte township for 2025.

Tomate Montréal Tasty - René Paquet, Québec QC

Shared November 2025

Source : Semences du patrimoine Seed Library

Croissance indéterminée, plant pouvant atteindre 1,5 mètre. 75 jrs à maturité. Beaux fruits presque ronds, à pelure et chair rouge vif, de 155 g en moyenne et 7 à 8cm de diamètre. Très bonne saveur. Excellent dans un sandwich, pour faire du jus ou une soupe à la crème. A parfois tendance à fendiller sur le dessus. Ce cultivar semble bien s’adapter à un sol moins riche.

Selon les écrits de M. Michel Richard, spécialiste de l’histoire des plantes potagères de notre patrimoine, ce cultivar a été sauvé par James S. Marshall qui, au milieu des années 1960, habitait à Benny Farm, un développement résidentiel montréalais du quartier Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, près de l’école Ste-Monica. Il avait hérité de ces semences de son père en 1983. Son père l’avait obtenue au marché Atwater d’une vieille dame qui vendait uniquement des tomates.

Pour l’histoire complète, visitez le site du ‘’ Potagers d’antan‘’ de M. Michel Richard écrit le 22 janvier 2021.

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Indeterminate growth, plant can reach 1.5 meters in height. 75 days to maturity. Beautiful, almost round fruit with bright red skin and flesh, averaging 155 g and 7 to 8 cm in diameter. Very good flavor. Excellent in a sandwich, for juicing, or cream soup. Sometimes tends to crack on top. This cultivar seems to adapt well to less fertile soil.

According to the writings of Michel Richard, a specialist in the history of heritage vegetable plants, this cultivar was saved by James S. Marshall who, in the mid-1960s, lived in Benny Farm, a Montreal residential development in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood, near Ste-Monica School. He inherited these seeds from his father in 1983. His father had obtained them at the Atwater Market from an elderly woman who sold only tomatoes.

For the full story, visit the website of “Potagers d’antan” by Mr. Michel Richard, written on January 22, 2021.