Edible Garden Show- Bargains???

[salome2001]

just wondering if anyone who has been has picked up any good deals/ show specials? I'm after a variable temp heated propagator...

[VirginVegGrower]

I did see some props with growing lights in but then I wasn't looking for one.

[salome2001]

not after growlights, just something that will kick my peppers and passionfruit seeds out of hibernation

[VirginVegGrower]

Did not see one but if you look at the website A-Z of those exhibiting you may find your answer there.

[salome2001]

... but are they offering good deals? What about on other items, anyone snapped up a steal?

[hollychap]

yep i bought a pkt of dt browns courgette seeds black hawk f1 (climbing variety) for £1 , 10 seeds in the pkt if you look in there catalogue they are advertised 6 seeds for £2.79 so yipppppeeeeeee
theres a stall selling heated props i was given one of freecycle and i noticed the price of it was £29.99

[VirginVegGrower]

I saw most seed packets a £1. Vitax had some bargains on feeds 3 for £10. I thought the rhubarb stall had great bargains on terracotta rhubarb forcers. Wolf Garten had some unusual ends for anyone that has the system. They also had bargains. To be honest I didn't see what I would call mega deals on anything. Bulldog were there if you were looking for new tools. We weren't. Lots of folk were buying grafted veg plants and compost deals. Lots of peat free RSPB bags were being collected at the end of the day.
We were looking for specific bits though, not everyday seeds, plants or tools/props.
The trugs were more expensive than you can buy normally. So were the fruit trees. Loads of currants and gooseberry bushes for sale; same for raspberries, but again slightly dearer than you can buy normally anyhow. Maybe people get swept up by all that, they were certainly buying. Saw lots of Blackmoor fruit tree labels.

[Currysniffa]

I'm going tomorrow, not looking for anything in particular but oldest lad want to get mummy something for mothers day, I've said no to a pig already!!

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm going tomorrow, not looking for anything in particular but oldest lad want to get mummy something for mothers day, I've said no to a pig already!!

Kid or piglet then

[Hans Mum]

just back, was a tad dissapointed at the lack of actual plants, there were loads of toms but nothiing particularly unusual (unlike last year) and raspberries & currants although still managed to spend a fortune. Got a high grow station from this company Growstation | Higrow | Growing & Gardening Products for £25, c/w poly cover so i can grow some leaves & herbs at home without the chickens eating them, they also had the 3 tier plant stand for a tenner. My mothers day present. Got some seeds & beautiful terracotta rhubarb forcer (late b'day present) the wolf garten tools were a good buy for those who already have the system, and also the usual cheeses & chutneys. Rootrainers were a good but check the prices before you buy there were 2 or 3 stalls selling them with very different prices. The pigelts & goats & chickens were cute. All in all enjoyed the day but not sure we'll be going next year.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I thought that, about the lack of plants. Said as much to Aunty sue when she asked. Came home with some JB handtools; there was Bollywood del boy style bartering involved. Hand onion hoe has since been christened, there was a lot of "Wow, this is well cool" that Ma just didn't get. Aunty Sue bought herself herbs that I then had to transplant. Apparently if they die, tis my fault as I was the one who helped advise the purchase.

And oh, a cabbage net thing. I bought one of them.

[salome2001]

hmm... I might be in the market for rapid rootrainers, anyone remember who had the cheap ones ??

[VirginVegGrower]

The Agralan stand - prices were no cheaper than shops
The Wolf Garten stand - full range and good offers/cheaper than GC prices
The Rhubarb stand - very cheap forcers and planted crowns good price, also had very healthy looking asparagus crowns
The artisan cheese, bread and smoked goods stands - good choice and not bad prices

I bought no plants - the herbs looked ropey, the currants were pricey, as were the raspberry canes and fruit trees. All were common or garden varieties, which you can buy more cheaply at Wilkos or on markets. I saw nothing on seeds either that tempted me although most packets were a £1. Quite a good buy for peas and beans as the packs were filled.

We wanted animal husbandry talks predominantly and getting to have two lengthy relaxed chats with Victoria Roberts was great. The experts all had time for you - it was that relaxed. We picked up some agri bits like some unusual Aussie made fencing brackets for our fruit fence post and wire system and also some Barrier bits for chooks. All reasonably priced. The NSALG guy was there and with nobody at the stand we had a good chat with him about green manures, soil fertility, etc. He is an organic grower so I tapped into his methods.
We really enjoyed it but if like most you are going there only to shop, it's probably a waste of your time and money.

[Peas'n'Kews]

We also got some great advice/info fromt the chicken man - not ready for chooks yet, but as soon as we get moved.... It was lovely that he had so much time for someone not yet ready to buy.

And the goat kid was the cutest!