Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: andy_h on March 23, 2011, 22:52
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I need to buy some seeds for this year within the next few weeks. I've had a look in a few garden centres & a few online places & online definitely seems to give a better selection (not surprisingly). I wonder if anyone has any recommendations? it's my first year of allotmenting (& indeed doing anything more than growing some toms & herbs in containers) so I'm not looking to grow anything too fancy - a few varieties of toms, some salad leaves, herbs, courgettes/squash, beans/peas & the like. any suggestions much appreciated!
thanks
Andy
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This is always a priority question until people settle for supplier/s they are happy with. Here are some recent discussions:
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=50457.msg597426#msg597426
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=66600.msg760748#msg760748
:)
I like Premier Seeds Direct (through eBay), but I find that there range can be a bit limited. Garden Organic are also excellent.
;)
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Lidl are very cheap for some of the basics and I've always found the germination rate good.
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My favourites are Premier seeds direct too Argyllie, I hadnt used them until this year but have been very impressed with them :D
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Wilko :)
Seeds of Italy, Fothergills, Real Seeds I really like as you can save all the seeds which they sell.
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thanks for the suggestions :) I particularly like the look of "Real Seeds" - it might make next year's seed bill a bit cheaper!
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If you don't plan to grow a lot of any variety then MoreVeg.co.uk offer a reasonable range at a cost effective price ( 50p a packet upwards).
The packets contain just a few seeds eg Carrots 150 instead of 1000+ and is a goodly way to try different varieties on the plot without having to lay out £1+ a packet to try them out.
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Do you have an allotment shop on site? If so try them
These people are quite good and always send some free seeds http://www.vegetableseeds.net
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I've always found Tuckers seeds are good value.
http://www.tuckers-seeds.com/
I've also used The Organic Gardening Catalogue before, but they can be pricey. Very good germination rates though. I got most of my tomato and chilli seeds from Nickey Nursery this year and they have a high germination rate.
http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/
Oh and one more for you that I can recommend
http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk/
And if your starting to think that I go over the top buying seeds your right ;)
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thanks for the suggestions :) I particularly like the look of "Real Seeds" - it might make next year's seed bill a bit cheaper!
I understand Moles Seeds are extremely good value, they have a number of enthusiastic customers who are on here. :)
And if your starting to think that I go over the top buying seeds your right ;)
You most certainly are not alone! :lol:
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As you know, I'm a great - but unpaid :lol: - promoter of Moles.
BUT - you've got to be prepared to be able to use/store/share a largish quantity. If you can it's very difficult to beat their price and their quality is top notch.
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+1 for Moles.
But - Their range is limited on some items and packets are just foil, there are no pretty pictures or instructions, not ideal for the beginner.
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You can always ask here!
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D T Browns are post free if that's any help.
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DOBIES all the way for me... have much more success with them than other cheaper seed suppliers...
I always say and believe you get what you pay for ;)
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D T Browns are post free if that's any help.
Orderd seeds from them on Tuesday night online arrived this morning,six packets and came with 10 plastic labels.
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I always say and believe you get what you pay for ;)
I can't comment on Dobbies seeds, but your statement doesn't apply to seeds IMO.
I have bought expensive packets of seeds and sometimes had poor germination :(
I have sometimes had the same thing happen with cheap seeds :(
I think you get to know a supplier who you feel has good seed at a reasonable price, and buy most stuff from there................................and then branch out for lots of different stuff that you didn't even know you wanted :lol: ::)
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+1 for Moles.
But - Their range is limited on some items and packets are just foil, there are no pretty pictures or instructions, not ideal for the beginner.
Moles' instructions are available online, so it is just the packet-printing that is absent (which maybe represents some cost saving to the buyer?). Although they are targeted more at the commercial grower, so the online sowing instructions lean that way too.
But, armed with that knowledge, buyers can review the growing instructions before buying and decide if they provide enough info, or not, I suppose?
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I can't comment on Dobbies seeds, but your statement doesn't apply to seeds IMO.
I have bought expensive packets of seeds and sometimes had poor germination :(
I have sometimes had the same thing happen with cheap seeds :(
Me too. I bought some Brugmansia seed from a well know quality seed provider. I got some from Moles too (I think Moles only sell one variety, so less choice). The Moles seeds were much smaller (but far more of them in the packet, and way more pound-for-pound).
Anyways, they were both sown at the same time and grown alongside side each other - as near as possible "identical".
I have had one seed germinate from Quality Brand, whereas I have loads from Moles.
I have not mentioned the brand name because it may well have been me. I haven't bought from them before, they have an excellent reputation, and until I have tried more I can't properly comment. But it does make me wonder ...
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We get Moles stuff for our allotment sometimes, especially peas :) I always ask for one of their wall planners as I like a reminder about seed sowing :)