From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

OK their are a lot of new growers out there. Here are some tips for requesting and getting seeds.

BUBBLE= Self addressed stamped bubble pack with proper postage for return.

1. Never Blind Bubble. Just because you can find my address and send a bubble, I do not owe you anything. If you send a blind bubble it ends up in the trash.
2. Request a growers permission to send a bubble. Some times seeds are limited supply or they only send to growers groups for auction
3. Tell them something about yourself, in your request. Simply sending an email saying " I want seeds" will get your email deleted.
4. If you say you are going to plant it. It is your word.
5. If I send you a free seed, please do not turn around and sell it. This makes you look like a smuck.
6. Make sure you apply proper postage. Nothing like sending you a free seed and it costing me $2

I am sure the list could go on. These are just some of the top tips

11/20/2014 1:01:34 PM

Colorado

Ditto on # 6. Make it as painless as possible for the grower to mail them.

11/20/2014 1:11:07 PM

Massachusetts

$2.32

11/20/2014 1:47:10 PM

Minnesota

A thank you note.

11/20/2014 3:06:06 PM

Nova Scotia

Don't mean to be critical, but some clubs could certainly also brush up on seed request etiquette tips, especially if they are a new contact to the grower. I certainly don't mind supporting clubs but some respect and a bit of class go a long way when seeking seeds to support your fundraising efforts. A few things I think some requesting clubs should try would be:

Knowing what the grower has actually grown when asking is a good start.

Perhaps going as far as congratulating them on what they grew that you see value in would be appreciated

Identifying your role or position in the club you are making the request for

Making sure your club is not double requesting with several different people requesting multiple seeds for the same auction

Don't assume just because you claim you are acting on behalf of a particular club automatically means you are "entitled" to seeds if you can't even take the time to ask in a respectful manner

Thanks

11/20/2014 4:48:59 PM

Western ny

very good ---i agree

11/20/2014 5:54:45 PM

Muddy Waters

Very good Linus if there is not enough postage I send them back COD.

Yes you can send seeds for 1.10.but they will go threw the rollers & may or may not get crushed for 2.32 marked fragile they will not go threw the rollers.I figure if you cant afford the postage you cant afford to grow it.

11/20/2014 8:16:40 PM

Newcastle, CA

Guilty.... not because I am cheap but because I did not know any better. The post office put the postage on them for me. I plan on growing four plants, Rea, Clementz, Engel and not sure about the 4th. Nana Rea put on another 85 cents to get me to 2.32... They came today.. Thanks!!... Mr Van Pelt if you could do the same I would appreciate it. If not I understand... lesson learned. Thanks for the info here.

11/20/2014 9:07:32 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Good thread Shannon.

11/20/2014 9:22:11 PM

Whitehall Montana

As well as the bubble I send a five dollar bill,and a seed or two I got from auction.

11/20/2014 10:01:40 PM

South East

a little seed request etiquette for the seed owner: Feel honored and see it as a privilege that someone wants your seeds, or even considers growing them. They wont see any dirt staying in your seed collection. So dont get caught up in rules tooo much, and dont forget you were new once to, so just sent those dang things out. They are just pumpkin seeds. You will make someones day!

11/21/2014 7:23:30 AM

Ireland

Well said Tina or Frank, well said.
Micheál

11/21/2014 9:29:29 AM

50 Acres

I'm with you , Frank and Tina. Well said.

11/21/2014 10:09:06 AM

Lexington, Ky

I'm in the Frank and Tina camp. Years ago, Brooks Bosworth from Ohio didn't want you to send him a bubble. He bought his own, stuffed them with seeds AND paid the postage. A true class act.

11/21/2014 11:50:31 AM

Edmonton, 53.5N, 113.6W

I wish my seeds were in such high demand that I needed to make a bunch of rules on how to best approach me...

That said you can never go wrong by being polite!

11/21/2014 1:43:41 PM

Maine

so glad to hear your response Frank/Tina. I have always felt if someone is willing to spend his or her time to put together a bubble wanting my seeds whether or not they are going to grow them, it makes me feel honored and I send them what they are asking for. I had a grower put a $20.00 check for me in a bubble this year and I sent the check right back to him with my seeds. My seeds are free for anyone who wants them.

I know I still get excited to see that bubble in the mail and cant wait to see what they sent me. I feel like a kid again coming downstairs on Christmas morning seeing that bubble in my mailbox. My wife thinks I am sick.

11/21/2014 1:46:44 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

OK this post is going in the wrong direction, and steering far away from what its original intention was. It was a post of how to request seeds from growers, and how to do it properly.

11/21/2014 2:20:02 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Linus, Sent RMGVG Seed Auction request your way

11/21/2014 2:38:56 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I see both sides to this story. Certain years I get buried with bubbles, some years not (like this year cause I sucked lol). Anyways I really enjoy the notes. I keep them all, I have a pushpin board collage of them in my pumpkin room. Bubbles with no note inside still get filled, just with not as much cheer. I always put the extra postage on if needed. I can tell by the name if someone is new or not. Jim

11/21/2014 2:39:17 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks Mr. Van Pelt :)

11/21/2014 3:40:17 PM

norway , maine

Your a good man Joe

11/21/2014 4:13:58 PM

Eganville, Ontario

I think the thread was turned in the right direction.

11/21/2014 5:12:51 PM

Newcastle, CA

I hope it was not my Mr Van Pelt comment. The original post on this thread is spot on for us newer folks. There are tons of great people on here that will send seeds, Shannon AKA Linus Van Pelt is one of them. He sent me seeds my first year without a bubble or postage, I sent an email, and had the seed two days later. To make it convenient for the grower and for the safety of the seed I now know I need to add more postage and write fragile. Thanks for the post Shannon.

11/21/2014 6:13:55 PM

South Hero, VT

Shannon, is sending a snail mail acceptable? I've found some growers will ignore a mailed letter, but respond to an email.

11/21/2014 7:21:33 PM

Indiana

That's right Frank and Tina every one was a new grower once you are thinking the same as me some just forget.

11/21/2014 7:42:18 PM

Upa Creek, MO

If you are a male, don't use a smiley face on any communication.

11/21/2014 9:27:52 PM

Omaha, Ne.

:) real men don't smile lol

11/21/2014 10:25:57 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Darren and I send seeds for less then 40 cents :)

Thanks to Darren's genius thinking!

This is for you Luke:):):):):):):):):):):)

Jesus likes when I smile:)

11/21/2014 10:58:29 PM

Nova Scotia

Shannon, my apologies to YOU . I am certain it was not your post, but mine that turned your good intentions around. I am also confident that not one person that has made a comment in regards to my so called "rules" knows a thing about me. If you think having some seeds that some see value in has gone to my head, you certainly don't know me.

I have tried my very best to fill every request I have received over the years regardless if it was from clubs, HH's or new growers. The only thing I ever expected in return was they get planted.

Yes, it is a privilege to be asked for seeds but if you can't show someone a bit of common courtesy in your request don't be surprised after it happens numerous times they feel enough is enough.

It is now evident to me why many on BP choose to remain silent.....Adios

11/21/2014 10:59:52 PM

The North Coast

Non solicited requests get thrown away as rule #1. Wow. We have been doing it wrong the whole time. Thanks for the clarification.

11/21/2014 11:52:38 PM

Upa Creek, MO

:(

11/22/2014 8:53:57 AM

Upa Creek, MO

I do have some actual input... if you request a specific seed and get it sent to you for free (i.e. they just mail direct), at least let the donator know you received the seed. That just makes me :( :( all day.

11/22/2014 9:01:04 AM

Nottingham, UK

Some of the posts above reminded me of some of my first seeds I had that were from VTSteve.

I know this isn't what this thread is about but....

"Don't worry Pete, give me your address". He sent them to the UK for free.

Another class act and Steves generosity has not been forgotten.

11/22/2014 9:20:02 AM

Both sides have valid points.
@ John Cabot Trail and others-- please don't remain silent as everyone is entitled to voice their opinion and keeps BP balanced !

11/22/2014 10:34:28 AM

Rhode Island

i have told this story many times when this subject comes up but it bears repeating.

when ron and i started requesting seeds it was done pretty much as it is today except the list of growers was a lot shorter.

we sent a bubble to the top grower that year kirk mombert requesting a seed from his famous 567.5 mombert. never expectet him to send a seed to a couple of nobody growers but what a feeling when his seed arrived in the mail.

this is something we never forgot and take that same approach with any growers that request a seed from us.
as long as we have them we give them out.

most growers send a nice note. it goes a long ways for sure.

pap@ron

11/22/2014 10:48:05 AM

Karns City PA

Pap great story and true, when I a no name beginner first sent you and Ron a email, a bubble and a letter, I didn't know what to expect and when I got seeds and a letter from you and Ron I had that same overwhelming shocked happy feeling. That's what makes this hobby as great as it is. I will never forget that day I got the bubble in the mail from Rhode Island! This is the first year that I have had a lot of requests for seeds and a thred like this is great info for newer growers. Every request iv got this year started with an email, then a bubble with a nice letter and a lot of thank yous. Great stuff guys keep up sharing the good information and keep this community together and moving forward.

11/22/2014 11:24:50 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Luke look like we have infected you:D lol Your an awesome guy. Love reading your strait forward posts.

11/22/2014 12:33:36 PM

Knopp, Germany

Bubbles are cheap, your honest note to the grower is what is important.

But, auctions have taken over that last 10 years.

You guys are so funny, In our hobby we have guys like money bags (he knows who he is) that out bid me because his AG account was bigger then mine, he deservered it, no hard feelings. You have the guys that have a good contact and a geographical plus, neighbors. You have the seed hoarders, they want everything, does not matter what the bubbles cost even when they can only grow 2 seeds.

Let the winter auctions begin, I learned my lesson after many thousands of dollars.

Figure out what you can grow, how many, and then dfon't over do it.

BTW, I still have more seeds then I can ever grow, that is why I sent a 1623 Wallace to a grower (no Pap not one you sent me) that showed me he has what it takes, and I didn't charge him anything, bubble, seed and postage was on me.

11/22/2014 1:01:37 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I have gotten some requests sent with just an envelope with an regular envelope inside with one stamp. I'm flattered to have someone wanting to grow my seed. I sent the seeds. Glad to be using the seed protectors and I didn't have to turn them down.

I don't like the idea of hording. maybe we can make kin grower cards. like baseball cards:)

11/22/2014 1:16:39 PM

Karns City PA

That would be pretty cool Darren they could have the growers info on back with all their past fruits. I am going to look into that a little further.

11/22/2014 1:35:30 PM

Karns City PA

I just whipped one up real quick im going to post it in my diary soon as it gets approved check it out remember this is just a rough draft but I would be willing to create these and laminate them for trading if anyone is serious :) had to throw that smiley face in there lol

11/22/2014 1:54:49 PM

Whitehall Montana

cweibz That's a great looking card you posted.I will be growing 1 of yours seeds next year and a couple friends will be growing the others you sent me.I thank you again

11/22/2014 2:15:43 PM

Rhode Island

a club in i believe canada many years ago had pumpkin trading cards. not sure but it may have been the ottawa club back in the ninties?
still i like your idea of having them.
pap

11/22/2014 3:02:32 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

good point Owen!!!A feel of commitment on the note is what is important also. As far as feeling honored...when see progeny i feel honored...when i don't see progeny i feel I've wasted my valuable time and i don't like that......

11/22/2014 3:11:05 PM

North Smithfield, RI

Many thanks to those who send them out ! Maybe my etiquette wasn't the best but those who answered were excellent . Never saw a no from anybody !!!

11/22/2014 4:57:55 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

For some reason this post brought back an old memory that could give anyone a good chuckle;

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=124220

11/22/2014 6:01:16 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

they collect dust in my house just as easily as anyone else s.If you don't intend on growing them why ask???????

11/22/2014 7:00:55 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Alex those requests were written by the came woman.

11/22/2014 8:32:07 PM

Central Illinois

If you have some age on you, you probably remember as a child ordering something through the mail and then waiting 6 weeks or longer to receive it, the day you opened the mail box and your prize had arrived was so exciting, its still like that for me when seeds arrive.

Thank you to everyone that has sent me a seed

11/24/2014 8:35:28 AM

Bethlehem CT

I just checked out the link. I have gotten a few rude ones over the years, but for the most part I have been fortunate to deal with polite requests. In what other hobby can you ask your competition for help, and have the request fulfilled? I have been amazed with the generosity in this community. A big thank you goes out to everyone on this site that have ever helped someone.

12/1/2014 10:30:15 AM