seed costs in Europe

[Glasshousevirgin]

Just back from a week end in Paris and thought I would share something I found incredible - the expense of seeds there.
We strolled down from the La Defense area towards Champs Elysee and found a cute plant shop - chain store Hermes - and we were very impressed at the quality and range in a small premises.
Some interesting seeds were picked up and I must admit I presumed we would pay similar prices to those here so when I only got change of 5 euro from 20 for 3 packs !
I suppose central Paris wasn't the best place to do such a shop lol.
Oh what did I buy? Cumin , fennel and a variety of watercress.

[wellie]

No WAY! I think you might of been given the wrong change there Glasshousevirgin, surely...
But hey, you're home now, and I look forward to hearing all about the Cumin, in particular.... What does it say on the packet? I use it a lot in cooking, and have some Roasted Cumin Seeds in my storecupboard.

[TonyF]

Bloody hell Glasshousevirgin, you paid the dreaded Paris/Champs prices. Unless you buy some of the very rare exotic seeds (there's a brand that's marketed here) you would pay half that in the rural areas.

[veg4681]

Just back from a week end in Paris and thought I would share something I found incredible - the expense of seeds there.
We strolled down from the La Defense area towards Champs Elysee and found a cute plant shop - chain store Hermes - and we were very impressed at the quality and range in a small premises.
Some interesting seeds were picked up and I must admit I presumed we would pay similar prices to those here so when I only got change of 5 euro from 20 for 3 packs !
I suppose central Paris wasn't the best place to do such a shop lol.
Oh what did I buy? Cumin , fennel and a variety of watercress.

Sorry but am I hearing this correctly, 5 Euros for each packet of seeds . If yes, I think you've been robbed blind as tourists are not regular customers that they need to protect their reputation. I would have walked off but then I'm a bit of a b*tch with suchlike b*tch business practice .

[Jardiniere]

I had to pay 3.40 euros for Caillard parsnip seeds (Demi longu de guernsey)recently - Gamm Vert in Cahors .Whats the current price in the UK?

[Glasshousevirgin]

MMM feel a bit stupid and kicked myself for not getting the receipt as I may have been given change of 10 Euro instead lol. Was feeling flush at the time as I had been taken to Paris and not spent a thing to that point (well almost).
I know you can buy Cumin seeds here as I have found a site that does that sort of thing but seeing them in front of me I thought why not. I think they are less than £3 so I was done over hey folks!
Don't see a price for Caillard seeds at any suppliers here I am afraid - any one else seen them here?

[smallblueplanet]

Oh well, you were in Gay Paree (and we weren't!), it was a little bit of care-free-ness.....you've not broken the bank. Next time you'll go looking for a big hypermarche and spend your time shopping!

[TonyF]

I had to pay 3.40 euros for Caillard parsnip seeds (Demi longu de guernsey)recently - Gamm Vert in Cahors .Whats the current price in the UK?

But how many seeds and how big was the packet? If I pay that sort of price, it usually means the big packets with a load of seeds.

[TonyF]

Don't see a price for Caillard seeds at any suppliers here I am afraid - any one else seen them here?

I can't remember seeing them here tho I buy so many diverse seed supplier's products I may have come across them, are they in a diamond shaped rather than a square packet?

The main UK/Euro company seems to be T&M, many of the chains here stock a lot of French packaged T&M seeds but I think Caillard may be French/Benelux specific.

[scarey55]

I bought the same seeds as you Jardiniere. I think they are possibly the only parsnip seeds you can get here. Not much help though 'cause I can't remember how much I paid for them.

Tony, I've just had a look and there are quite a lot of seeds in the packet and the weight is 3 grammes. They are in a "normal" rectangular packet and the seeds are loose.

*remembers to tell Wellie, if you want parsnips when you're here, bring some seeds with you.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think they are possibly the only parsnip seeds you can get here.

Silly girl - you only have to ask, you know!

[TonyF]

I bought the same seeds as you Jardiniere. I think they are possibly the only parsnip seeds you can get here. Not much help though 'cause I can't remember how much I paid for them.

Scarey, there are several types of parsnip seeds for sale here - have you tried France Rurale or Jardiland (larger range including T&M), I've found different types in each and neither the type you mentioned.

[scarey55]

Silly girl - you only have to ask, you know!

Oh Darling, thank you, you are lovely. Everyone, isn't she lovely

Scarey, there are several types of parsnip seeds for sale here - have you tried France Rurale or Jardiland (larger range including T&M), I've found different types in each and neither the type you mentioned.

Tony, thanks for that.

I thought that I wouldn't be able to buy parsnip seeds here as I didn't think that the French eat them the same way as the British. In my first year gardening iggorance, I looked at the wrong time of the year, just before Christmas. I have to admit that when I saw a packet of seeds on sale in our local Brico shop I snapped them up.

We do have a Jardiland in "The big city" (Montlucon) so next time we go I will have a look.

If nothing else, it's a great excuse for a trip around Jardiland

[TonyF]

Leave your wallet/purse/credit card at home tho, it's very seductive in there!!

[Jardiniere]

dont have a jardiland here ...gamm vert or independent garden centre or little shop in town.and i really have only ever seen that particular type of parsnip ...different makes tho