A quick question for our French grapes

[kernowyon]

I am due to go on our pilgramage to the Cite d'Europe via the tunnel this weekend and would like to ask if there are any recommendations for where to buy seeds etc whilst there.

The last time I was there we drove around a bit to Calais and Sangatte but didin't see any garden centres, like we have here, so just a few names of places you get your seeds from and I can google to see if any are in the area. ta

[Patchninja]

Here are a few but I don't live in that area so can't vouch for them. Garden centres are certainly rather rustic compared to English ones - a bit like supermarkets!
I use Jardiland and Magasin vert. Have fun!


Jardigrain
40 quai Gustave Lamarle 62100 CALAIS
03 21 34 14 30
fax :03 21 36 40 80

JARDILAND
r Verte 62100 CALAIS
03 21 19 78 10
03 21 19 05 44

Jardinerie d'Hesdigneul
39 rte Pont de Briques 62360 HESDIGNEUL LÈS BOULOGNE
.03 21 99 19 79
fax :.03 21 99 19 72

Point Vert
r Jean Marie Bourguignon 62930 WIMEREUX
.03 21 10 89 89

Kiriel Lefebvre Pierre (Ets)
Le Plouy 68 rte Nationale 62142 COLEMBERT
Mail : ets.pierrelefebvre@wanadoo.fr
.03 21 33 30 36
fax :.03 21 32 36 38

Point Vert
390 r Claye 62850 LICQUES
03 21 00 10 40

Etablissements Pierre Lefebvre
Ens Le Plouy 68 r Plouy 62142 COLEMBERT
03 21 33 30 36

Serre des Trois Fontaines (La)
50 r Eglise 62360 ISQUES
.03 21 91 34 63
fax :.03 21 91 34 40

[kernowyon]

thank you, and thank god for sat nav!

[Nicos]

I tend to use Jardi Leclerc- it's the nearest place in my area to a 'proper' garden centre.
Point Verts are good too

To be honest if you're after different types of seeds then it'll be interesting to see the differences- but be aware- seed prices are almost double- as are plants

A good wander round a garden centre is my idea of fun-(so long as it's mid week and not school holidays!!!!)..... there's always something to tempt me.

I seem to spend my time in the French ones saying" flipping heck- look at the price of that!!!!"

And yup- there are small places selling seed by weight- but I have yet to descover them!
Oh- and market days- there are always plants for sale

Most large supermarkets also have gardening sections.

Let us know what you were tempted with eh???

Have fun- and don't forget to stuff yourself with croissants and steak and chips..and cake..and cheese...

[TonyF]

I agree with Nicos, prices here tend to be much higher than the UK - one of the reasons I usually buy my seeds from the UK - and some of the plant prices are eyewateringly expensive.

For seeds tho, Jardiland usually has the greatest variety and so do France Rurale which is the place that the farmers use and where they sell all sorts of really interesting things which I haven't seen since Mence Smith closed down years back!

[kernowyon]

thanks again guys, I was vaguely aware of a discussion on here a few years ago about the pricing of seeds over there, but as i already have far too many already I really was just on the lookout for the unusual.
will let you know how I get on.

[Paulottie]

There are a few varieties I always buy in France....mostly cos you just don't get the same varieties of lettuce, bean and toms that I like here...One thing is that you seem to find you actually get some seed in the packet...it seems that the portions over here are becoming preposterous. Anyhow I suppose they are even more expensive in France now the pound is worth didly squat.

However for our French grapes here is a company I have had great seeds from in the past.

Germinance - Semences biologiques et biodynamiques

[Nicos]

Thanks for that!

Yes- there are many more choices of those seeds/beans- and I've found peas to be cheaper too
I've got an interesting lettuce called Reine de Mai ( I think)- and it's a butterhead which bolts with the heat, but is sort of like a 'first early' and apparently grows nice and quickly if protected from frost.
I thought I'd give it a go for a change- and yup- lots of seed in the pack!

...which seed varieties do you regularly favour from that company Paulottie???

Kernowyon...anything you're esp looking out for? I need to buy some more carrot seeds today so I could look out for anything spesh and give you a price on it if you wish?

[Nicos]

Something else I've just thought of...

The individual seed packets aren't priced .
Each company has it's own price rating- eg 1 leaf, 2 leaves, 3 etc or A AA AAA, or A,B,C etc and it's where you buy them from which decides how much they want to charge for each banding!!!!
It often takes a while to sort out which price list you need to be looking at ( a bit like some of those codes in the UK for birthday cards)
Oh - and don't expect many staff to be around to help you!!!!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

[kernowyon]

Something else I've just thought of...

The individual seed packets aren't priced .
Each company has it's own price rating- eg 1 leaf, 2 leaves, 3 etc or A AA AAA, or A,B,C etc and it's where you buy them from which decides how much they want to charge for each banding!!!!
It often takes a while to sort out which price list you need to be looking at ( a bit like some of those codes in the UK for birthday cards)
Oh - and don't expect many staff to be around to help you!!!!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

a bit like Slovakia then
each company puts 1,2,3 etc for price banding on the packs but each band is a different price for each separate company, some have 1 as the cheapest, but then another will have 1 as the premium priced stuff.
Don't you just love it.....

[Nicos]

Don't you just love it.....

Absolutelly!!!- it keeps you on the ball and stops you from going brain dead- that's for sure...and the fact that you need to wait ages and ages for the previous customers waiting for help to finish their natter gives you plenty of time to practice those yoga breathing stills.
Bliss!!!!

[Paulottie]

Nicos...not a very regular thing that I buy from them but I have grown: Tomate des Andes, and Rose de Berne. Leeks St Victoire,(now saving seed from them) Lettuce...my fav is R de Grenobloise...but you can get them anywhere in France....Can't remember the bean variety..but I go for superfine ones

They are all a bit haphazard first time and don't make it easy for you but they have lots of excellent suppliers...more like a club really....try ringing the first thing. better stlll send an sae for catalogue...can't buy online but they were good value.

[Patchninja]

Thanks for that link, Paulottie.
I get most of my seeds from the catalogue here :
Graines Baumaux : graines de semences florales et potagres
It's one of those HUGE catalogues that you spend a cold, winter afternoon drooling your way through. Love it.