Eager Novice and Newbie! Hello!

[AkionTotocha]

If you buy seeds from Wilko, they will replace them if they fail, or if you grow them and don't like them, they will replace them.

If you bought a pack of seeds 50 years ago from them, grow them now and they fail, they will replace them. It's a point they don't shout about enough - they have barely any terms and conditions on their returns policies. So if you're concerned, buying from them is practically risk free.

[rustylady]

If you buy seeds from Wilko, they will replace them if they fail, or if you grow them and don't like them, they will replace them.

If you bought a pack of seeds 50 years ago from them, grow them now and they fail, they will replace them.

No they won't - seeds have a use by date on them, and I don't know of any seeds that would be viable after 50 years.

[Jennyjen1984]

Hi Jennyjen and welcome. You asked about fruit too. Its a bit late now to be planting fruit trees and bushes to get much of a crop this year, so you should be planning for next year. You may be able to buy strawberry plants still and they could give you some fruit this year, but 2nd year is better.
I haven't direct sown any veg seeds yet this year because of the weird weather. I start most of my seedlings off indoors anyway and you could be doing that too - on your windowsills. Beans, courgettes and squashes, plenty of things can be sown now.

I was thinking that in regards to the fruit till leave it till next year. My friend as strawberries that are in their second year with runners so i may nab some and plant them and see what happens.

I think i will start sowing indoors like you said. Thank you!!!

[Jennyjen1984]

Jenny could you add your location to your profile please? Then it will show up on your posts (you can see that I am in Lowestoft).

I grew up on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, so I know the Southwest well. There will be plenty of fruit for you to make jams with, even without managing to grow your own this year. Blackberries, plums and apples in the hedgerows, rosehips.

All done, I'm down near Redruth Helston way, Very windy :-( But thats not going to put me off! I will certainly be foraging for the blackberries this year!

My friend has runners off her strawberry plants that are in their second year. Im wondering if ts worth nabing a few and planting them and see how i go. Then grow from seeds next year? Or shall i sow some strawberries now anyway just to see how they go ?

[rustylady]

My friend has runners off her strawberry plants that are in their second year. Im wondering if ts worth nabing a few and planting them and see how i go. Then grow from seeds next year? Or shall i sow some strawberries now anyway just to see how they go ?

Strawberries from runners are great. Save a lot of time rather than growing from seed. Also, the strawberries that you plant will produce runners of their own later in the year so you can increase your stock for free.

Strawberry plants will last for years, although the older ones are not so productive. However, you can propogate your own runners every year to "renew" your bed.

[Jennyjen1984]

If you buy seeds from Wilko, they will replace them if they fail, or if you grow them and don't like them, they will replace them.

If you bought a pack of seeds 50 years ago from them, grow them now and they fail, they will replace them. It's a point they don't shout about enough - they have barely any terms and conditions on their returns policies. So if you're concerned, buying from them is practically risk free.

Thanks i will have a look at Wilko and get some veg seeds from there :-)

[Feral007]

Its not cheating to buy some seedling plants. I often get sidetracked in the nursery and can't help coming out with a few seedlings. So while I've been starting my seedlings off - in toilet roll middles, I've got others already started in the garden. It just gives you a little head start sometimes.
Windy is fine, lots will grow in windy places I find.

[Samurailord]

Hi Jenny and welcome to the Vine.

You aren't to late to sow most things as everything is about a month behind this year due to the horrible cold weathewr we have all had.

I am just about to start planting loads of flowers at home and lots of veg at the plot (salad leaves, radish, chard, beetroot, carrots......)

As for buying plug plants - I am all in favor of 'instant gardening' as one of my plot neighbours calls it. I got a load of brassica plugs from Aldi last year that were very successful, and I am planning on getting a few this year too.

Andy

[jayjaybee]

Welcome to you Jenny from yet another Jen, I find one of the most rewarding veg are courgettes. Basically if you water them they grow. If you have the facility start them off indoors or under glass or failing that buy a plant or two. You will end up with more than you can eat, I expect. Dwarf french beans might be better than runners if you are very wind swept. Whatever you decide to grow will taste amazing! Best of luck

[Kimey]

I too am setting out on my first full season with an allotment. Spent last summer clearing the place and then the rains came. Got my potatoes in and all seeds planted - now to cross m fingers and hope I get a crop or two

[Jennyjen1984]

Its not cheating to buy some seedling plants. I often get sidetracked in the nursery and can't help coming out with a few seedlings. So while I've been starting my seedlings off - in toilet roll middles, I've got others already started in the garden. It just gives you a little head start sometimes.
Windy is fine, lots will grow in windy places I find.

Thanks, i defo think doing this is the way forward, well for my first time anyway :-), just to give me some inspiration as well!

[Jennyjen1984]

I too am setting out on my first full season with an allotment. Spent last summer clearing the place and then the rains came. Got my potatoes in and all seeds planted - now to cross m fingers and hope I get a crop or two

Sounds very exciting. Keep me posted of how everything goes! Im very interesting on hearing how successful everyone who first starts out is and of course what goes wrong! But hopefully nothing of course lol

[Jennyjen1984]

Welcome to you Jenny from yet another Jen, I find one of the most rewarding veg are courgettes. Basically if you water them they grow. If you have the facility start them off indoors or under glass or failing that buy a plant or two. You will end up with more than you can eat, I expect. Dwarf french beans might be better than runners if you are very wind swept. Whatever you decide to grow will taste amazing! Best of luck

I have a very light and airy conservatory. Its looking like the hiking boots and climbing gear is getting turfed out and im turning the place into a mini green house lol.
Luckily i like courgettes, so i think theses are going to be one of my first!!

[Jennyjen1984]

Hi Jenny and welcome to the Vine.

You aren't to late to sow most things as everything is about a month behind this year due to the horrible cold weathewr we have all had.

I am just about to start planting loads of flowers at home and lots of veg at the plot (salad leaves, radish, chard, beetroot, carrots......)

As for buying plug plants - I am all in favor of 'instant gardening' as one of my plot neighbours calls it. I got a load of brassica plugs from Aldi last year that were very successful, and I am planning on getting a few this year too.

Andy

Excellent thank you for this. I was wondering if with the cold weather hits does it slow the process down. Im just going to get out and get sowing. Had some great suggestions and decided i best just get going with it all