Isolation distances

George Sims · December 3, 2006

Carolyn,

Picked up a copy of your book this week at Baker Creek, and am enjoying it immensely!! One question, however:

I've been saving seeds (from only a dozen or so vegetables, and only a couple of tomatoes) for the last two years.

You mention, "If you plan to save seed, you will need to separate tomato varieties. Different distances are recommended, depending on whom you consult. Commercial growers...need to obey the greatest isolation distances. For home use--when seeds will not be shared with others--a distance of 3 to 4 feet within a row, and 5 feet between rows, is usually adequate..."

I'm certainly no commercial grower, but plan to grow out a dozen or more tomato varieties next year. I want to be able to share seeds with others--through SSE and other outlets--though, and am concerned about cross-pollination, although you make it clear that the danger is rather slight. Space is not a problem. How far apart should my plots be? I plant to grow out about six plants of each variety.

December 3, 2006	#1
George Sims Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Log Cabin, Louisiana, moving to Mansfield, Missouri, winter 2006-7 Posts: 30	Isolation distances Carolyn, Picked up a copy of your book this week at Baker Creek, and am enjoying it immensely!! One question, however: I've been saving seeds (from only a dozen or so vegetables, and only a couple of tomatoes) for the last two years. You mention, "If you plan to save seed, you will need to separate tomato varieties. Different distances are recommended, depending on whom you consult. Commercial growers...need to obey the greatest isolation distances. For home use--when seeds will not be shared with others--a distance of 3 to 4 feet within a row, and 5 feet between rows, is usually adequate..." I'm certainly no commercial grower, but plan to grow out a dozen or more tomato varieties next year. I want to be able to share seeds with others--through SSE and other outlets--though, and am concerned about cross-pollination, although you make it clear that the danger is rather slight. Space is not a problem. How far apart should my plots be? I plant to grow out about six plants of each variety.