Seed catalogue arrived

[Waffler]

I really like the King's catalogue - it's like a little book of lovliness! And I think very reasonably priced - though not as cheap as my 75% off T&M seeds our local garden centre did earlier in the summer;picked up some bargains there!

[multiveg]

I really like the King's catalogue - it's like a little book of lovliness! And I think very reasonably priced - though not as cheap as my 75% off T&M seeds our local garden centre did earlier in the summer;picked up some bargains there!

I picked up cheap T&M seeds one year from a garden centre - had extremely poor germination. The seeds were probably old season, plus the display of seeds would have had quite a lot of sun hitting them (and heat) - so I realise now that they were a waste of money. Had 3 packets of different sunflowers - not one germinated (though sunflower seed from birdseed mix did).

[Waffler]

Oh don't tell me that multiveg!! I don't know about sunlight on them, but I checked the dates on the back to make sure they weren't too old; mostly they were sow by 08, though a couple were 07 and a couple were even 09.
I shall watch with interest now, and if they're not up to much I shall endeavour to learn from my mistake.
Thanks for the warning! At least now I shall be pleasantly surprised when they germinate and thrive, as opposed to hopelessly disappointed if they don't!

[Lesley Jay]

I never buy packets of seeds from the garden centres. You don't know how old they are and most garden centres are huge green houses. The sun and the heat are not the right conditions for storing seeds.

[multiveg]

There is a year on the back of the packet - "pktd for year end Aug 2007" means the seed is fresh (i.e. seed for the 2007 catalogue & season). If it says packed for Aug 2006, it is likely to be a year old and possibly has been upto a year in the garden centre - as LJ says, most garden centres are huge greenhouses - which is where I bought mine that time (think it might have been in September as they were awaiting the new batch of seed to arrive).

[martini]

The only thing I can suggest Waffler is that a couple of weeks before you would normally sow the seeds, do a trial run (a few of each) and see what the germination ratio is - if most come up they'll be Ok but if you only get say one or two out of the ten you sow I'd probably bin them. Good luck

[multiveg]

Speaking of germination - there is a GardenOrganic members experiment with germination next year!

[Earthbabe]

One order from the Moles Seeds catalogue could keep me in sprouting seeds for a year and that's with a little bag. Lots of lovely lavender though. Best selection I've seen outside of plants at the Jersey Lavender Farm and they have the national collection.

HDRA has also now arrived. Starting to work out potato order. Recently bought some seed from T&M but looking at everything I now have, should have waited.

Never mind. Live and learn.

[andrewo]

My HDRA arrived yesterday and I have my eye on Burpless Wonder Cucumber. My potatos are still in the barrels will have to dig them up soon but a lovely comfrey plant has seeded in it.

[multiveg]

My HDRA arrived yesterday and I have my eye on Burpless Wonder Cucumber. My potatos are still in the barrels will have to dig them up soon but a lovely comfrey plant has seeded in it.

Are you going to do any of the experiments? We might do the spider one and have noticed a load of the garden variety out in the back garden - I walked into one with web in an arch as I put washing out Might even look into edible flowers - I do eat nasturtiums but then there is VAT levied on these seeds Might even look at gardening footprint.

My comfrey is thriving - got the plants from Ryton.

[Snadger]

This may have been mentioned earlier in the thread....but I can't be bothered to check!
Just received my 'The Real Seed Catalogue'.....well leaflet really, as there are no photos. I am very impressed with descriptions and prices and there are deffinately NO F1 varieties!

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