Topic: Buying seeds

[cocopops]

Having read a posting in the Shed about seed suppliers it has raised a few questions for me.

Having discovered over several years of trying to grow veggie, my soil is pants.  The seeds I have used have ranged from the 'top' makes to Lidl specials.  I am now building raised beds with plenty of fertiliser and good top soil.

My questions are:

For the basic veg, is there any benefit in paying more for the seeds?

Are the more expensive seeds aimed at those wanting more unusual varieties of usual veg?

Is there a better propagation success with expensive seeds.

Thanks - Coco

[goodlife]

For basic veg..in my opinion..what ever is cheapest will do for me and haven't had no problems..
But if I want specially bred varieties or something bit more unusual then unfortunately money strings have to be loosen..or swap in here will have to take place ;)
I often buy seeds that I use lot from Tozer..they do larger packs and buying in bulk will be cheaper in long run..most seeds will store few years so even I have 'fork' money out for the order it will be cheaper..eventually.. ::)

[Digeroo]

I think that Lidl are good value germination good.  I also like Franchi seeds you get loads in the packet and the germination is normally excellent.  Great for carrots.  I have decided that expensive sprout and calebrese seeds is something of a must with very well drained dry soil.  I also like tozer direct. 

I do not think that more expensive seeds are always an advantage I am growing several types of spring greens and the slugs went for the most expensive.  In my experience the price is certainly not related in any way to the germination rate or the success.

Look out for the end of season reductions.  Keep checking on this site for news of the best bargains.

[schmelda]

I've just taken on an allotment that has been neglected for the past few months (the previous tenant planted lots of things, but took ill, so it all got left).  Despite this, I've harvested courgettes, squash, runner beans, potatoes, raspberries and strawberries.  There are leeks, beets and parsnips in the ground doing very well.  All the seed packets in the shed come from Wilkos!  I'm thinking that if they can grow so well with no tending to whatsoever, then they can't be bad!

[Unwashed]

Welcome to A4A schmelda, I'm pleased you're already enjoying you plot.

[:(]

No, no and no. To elaborate on 2 - theyre aimed at those that dont know any better. If you want a really unusual variety youll have to pay more, thats supply and demand. But even Lidls and Wilkies do a bit more than bog standard stuff now like ostergruss radish, black salsify, all the various oriental salads, white sprouting brocolli etc etc.

[chriscross1966]

I'm with weequeenie on this, you don't have to sped loads even for fairly exotic stuff these days unless you're a complete freak about certain plants..... I've got nearly all my seeds for next year from Wyevales when they have their end-of-season 50p a packet for everything sale.... that means I've picked up some spare packs of stuff I knowe I'll be able to use as swap bait for the stuff they didn't have. It basically left me with garlic (though I self-saved some), potatoes (though I'm self-saving some oddballs) and squash (because I'm a complete freak about squash) to get. I'll buy some oddball squashes and swap with folks for other oddball squashes. I've saved a lot of bean seeds and will swap for some others this year if I can, I could do with some more fruit bushes adn hope to pick them up from either Lidl tomorrow or Aldi in the near future.... the Aldi ones I have from last year seem to be thriving..... The only expensive seed I've bought for next year is the massive onion, Aislae, it's a specialist variety only available from one place by mail order. You either grow it or you grown something smaller, and I'd like to grow some really big onions next year if I can...

chrisc

[grannyjanny]

I have found premier seeds direct to be an excellent site & some unusual varieties.

[Mr Smith]

 I tend to go to local family garden centre and buy what I want  loose rather than in packets and it is cheaper, also I have found a supplier on good old ebay, this year I bought my stringless runner seeds of him and also for next year my capsicum seeds (120 for 99p including pp) and my peppers, :)   

[Squash64]

I have found premier seeds direct to be an excellent site & some unusual varieties.

I also like premier seeds
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Premier-Seeds-Direct

[Tee Gee]

I think in most cases you get what you pay for!

Its been well documented on these boards that I am an F1 fan.

Certainly my brassicas, sweetcorn and a few others which I just can't think of for the moment!

Basically my system is; I purchase 'discounted seeds' through Leisure Gardeners and use my discount amount to pay the increased cost of F1's!

That is; I get F1's for more or less the same price as run of the mill varieties!