Allotments 4 All

Hi Guys,

I have dipped into a couple of your postings but not formally introduced myself! I will be around a lot from now on as I got an allotment last week, and only got a garden for the first time last October, so have SOOOO much to learn!

Where do a lot of you get your seeds from? I get a bit overwhelmed when I go to the garden centre - there are so many manufacturers/ varieties etc.. of some things, but then others like butternut squash for example, I cannot find!

I have made a note of a few of the winter varieties you have recommended recently, but not sure where the best place/ manufacturer to buy them from?

Thanks

Daisymay

You'll get lots of advice on this.
Personally, I've found The Organic Gardening Catalogue good, and the best overall, but for germination success I use Seeds of Italy, though they are a bit pricey.
Thompson and Morgan are good, but expensive for what you get.Browns ok too, and their asparagus plants have been smashing.
Dorset Blueberry Co were expensive and half the plants arrived damaged.
Impulse buys at Homebase proved U/S
Neighbours on the allotment site gave me spare stuff and will do the same for you.

Organic Gardening is good, if you are a member of Hdra you get a 10% discount, but they are a bit pricey depending on what you are buying. Seeds of Italy I have heard give the most amount of seeds in their packets, so that may explain some of the expense if true. Wilkinson's is very good for seeds if you've got one near by especially when they have their 75% off all gardening bits - seeds, tools, plants, seed potatoes, onion sets etc. Poundstrecher & Poundland are also good for various little bits. If you let us know what you want to buy, perhaps you can get some more specific responses.

Hello and welcome. I used Alan Romans online only 50p a packet.

I like organic gardening catalogue as well - all my seeds have been great from them - which is why I have ended up with so many pumpkin and squash plants !! Yummy!

;D

have ordered myself a copy of the organic catalogue, thanks.

Not sure what to grow yet - am still deciding and a bit overwhelmed to be honest!! Waiting for the lottie to be rotivated and then see what I am left with after that - soil condition etc... it is like concrete at the moment!

As suggested on this site I took myself off to Lidl and looked at their 27 p packets.  Got two packets of tagetes and they are fab.  They all germinated and are looking great    I don't even like em but I bought them for companion plants but I have to say I am warming to them, especially at 27p and there were loads of seeds per packet

I buy all over the place but have found Thompson & Morgan, Dobies, S.E.Marshall and Kings Seeds to be very reliable.
Also, when on holiday in France I always pop into a supermarket and buy seeds, you get more for your money over there. A fellow allotment holder has told me that Lidl is pretty cheap, so I'm going to try them. Also I heard that Woolworths have reduced their seeds now as the 'season' ends.

The organic catalogue are great, also Tuckers, try this link

http://www.edwintucker.com/Seeds/seeds%20index.htm

;D Welcome aboard daisymay  ;D I recently bought half price seeds from Wilko in readiness for next year as they have long sell by dates on them ;)

Hi Daisymay, welcome to the forum.  I use http://www.realseeds.co.uk among others already mentioned.  All open pollinated veg so you can save your own seed.  ;D

Hi Daisymay & welcome,

my 1st year and I used Kings Seeds & Alan Romans (both good vlaue IMHO) also bought some Little Gem lettuce and Black Bush Courgettes from Wilko,s which were cheap and great.

Good luck!!!

I have just visited the organic catalogue after seeing ti mentioned on here, all I can say is I am going to spend lots. It's got a lot of variety and it is very informative.
So whoever mentioned it I am sending you my credit caard bill.  ;D

LOL, but before you do, be sure to let us know what you are after in the swap shop - we may be able to help and save you a fortune.   :)

G xx

Welcome!  I duck and dive and pick seeds up anywhere and everywhere!  Plus, I am given seeds and plants from friends (you lot!) and family.  My sister gave me a seed hamper for Christmas with a selection of veggie seeds that she picked up during the autumn. 

I get my seeds through our allotment association who are members of the national allotment growers association (NALG- something), They get discounted prices from Kings seeds , works out about 50%.

I'd also add an honourable mention to VidaVerde over here: http://www.vidaverde.co.uk/

WOW - thanks for such a great response everyone. Given me lots of ideas!  ;D ;D

i find the organic catalogue and kings seeds both good. kings also do organic seeds but are a little cheaper than the organic catalogue. but i think the profits from the organic catalogue go towards the HDRA or something - depends who you want to support ;)

svea

Thanks for the link to Vidaverde. Their lettuce collection looks great. Will order some from them next year.