Participate in Variety Trials on SeedLinked

Participate in Variety Trials

You are invited to be part of our mission to make the seed system more transparent and resilient by signing up to participate in collaborative variety trials on SeedLinked! Jump ahead to collaborative variety trial sign up!

Taking part in collaborative variety trials is a great way to: 

  • Grow new and exciting varieties before they are released commercially.
  • Provide vital feedback on how the varieties perform. Your reviews will be available (anonymously) to help other growers choose seeds on the SeedLinked Marketplace.
  • Participate in the discussion on the trial community feed where you can learn from other growers, share your expertise, and build community.
  • Get instant access to trial results when you complete each trial.
Tomato Variety Trial on SeedLinked App
A collaborative variety trial participant rates flavor on the SeedLinked App

What am I committing to when I sign up to be part of a collaborative variety trial on SeedLinked?

  • When you sign up, you must create a free SeedLinked Account.
  • The trial manager will review your request to participate in trials and may or may not ask you to officially join depending on your location, experience, or grower type (gardener or farmer).
  • Once you get accepted to join the trial, you will get a confirmation email.
  • The trial manager for the trial will send you seeds and will ask you to grow out each variety and submit your reviews, comments, and photos on the SeedLinked website and/or app during the growing season.
  • The trial manager for each collaborative variety trial will communicate more specific details about participating. 
Reviewing a variety trial on the SeedLinked App
An example of reviewing collaborative variety trials on the SeedLinked App. Left to right: ‘Track’ tab with trials, reviewing traits for a trial, and the feed for a trial. Images from iPhone App.

Sign Up for Collaborative Variety Trials

Currently our 3 open trials are only for Northeast and MidWest Growers in the USA. We have 3 brassica trials that just came up. A small independent brassica breeder working on sprouting broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage would love to test some advanced material in the Northeast for potential release next year. Historically, their material has been very promising. If you are interested, you can sign up at the link below. You will receive 4 varieties per trial by the end of March/1st week of April. There are a limited number of spots for each one, so sign up quickly!.

2023 Early sprouting broccoli-sweet baby broccoli trial

In recent years, sprouting broccoli – also called Sweet Baby Broccoli, has gained traction. They are easier to grow than standard heading broccoli because they more reliably produce a crop under the fluctuating temperatures common in spring, while also producing better in less-than optimal fertility and soil moisture. They keep producing shoots and can be harvested for weeks. Customers at farmers’ markets and chefs love them.

When joining this trial, you will receive 4 varieties.The check is BC1611. Each packet will have 40 seeds. Seed will be shipped at the end of Marsh. Key traits are disease resistance, flavor, and yield. Limited to 40 growers.


2023 Cauliflower trial

With increased precipitation and humidity, it has become very challenging to grow Cauliflower in certain regions. Disease pressure is increasing. There are very few physical tools available to manage this disease, making genetic resistance and tolerance key strategies for management. Through this trial, four varieties will be tested and compared. The check is Snow Crown. Disease resistance, vigor, crown shape (Appearance), size (yield), flavor, and slotting are the key traits of interest. Trial results will be shared with you on the SeedLinked platform when the trial is complete. Thank you for your interest in helping identify which Cauliflower is best suited for the changing growing conditions. 40 seeds/variety will be shipped by the end of March. Limited to 40 growers.


2023 Green Cabbage Trial

With increased precipitation and humidity, it has become very challenging to grow cabbage in certain regions.. Disease pressure is increasing.. There are very few physical tools available to manage this disease, making genetic resistance and tolerance key strategies for management. Through this trial, four varieties will be tested and compared. Primo Vintage is the check. Disease resistance, vigor, crown shape (Appearance), size (yield) and flavor are the key traits of interest. Trial results will be shared with you on the SeedLinked platform when the trial is complete. Thank you for your interest in helping identify which cabbage is best suited for the changing growing conditions. 40 seeds/variety will be shipped by the end of March. Limited to 40 growers.

Updated 27/1/23