Best suppliers/catalogues

[Snadger]

Well, this year I'm going to try seedsbysize. Seems a bit complicated, but I hope not too bad.

Steven

Dealt with Mr Size! Pretty good from what I remember!

[Flytrap]

Thanks everyone for their input. It seems that people use all different suppliers and maybe different ones for specific items. I suppose a better question may have been, are there any suppliers that you would avoid for whatever reasons?

Cheers,

Flytrap

[jacob marley]

[QUOTE=Flytrap;300968]Thanks everyone for their input. It seems that people use all different suppliers and maybe different ones for specific items. I suppose a better question may have been, are there any suppliers that you would avoid for whatever reasons?

.You can't really expect anybody to answer that question it would leave the forum open to all sorts of problems posible advertisers or the like jacob marley

.

[till730]

i use moles seeds they are a bit exspensive but very high germination rate. They are a supplier for farmers so you do get alot. Moles Seeds - Flower and Vegetable Seed Suppliers

[Flytrap]

You can't really expect anybody to answer that question it would leave the forum open to all sorts of problems posible advertisers or the like jacob marley

Good point, this is a commercially run/supported forum and that would probably be frowned upon.
The other forum I frequent (on a different subject matter) is privately run and had a specific section for naming and shaming rubbish suppliers. Which worked well and prevented people being ripped off. Until they started using related sponsors to generate cash to pay for the forum upkeep. One of the main sponsors was named and shamed and this caused big problems and ended up with half the main forum contributors leaving the site and setting up a rival forum. What a mess.
Shame really.

Flytrap

[Hans Mum]

i get mine when theyre reduced in gardencentres/woollies/wilkos/etc or from lidl (29p) it keeps my addiction to seeds cost effective If i want something specific i tend to order those from the specialist suppliers, but make an order up with some of my mates at the lottie to spread the cost of the p&p which can be a bit expensive IMHO

[Kayt]

[QUOTE=jacob marley;301022.You can't really expect anybody to answer that question it would leave the forum open to all sorts of problems posible advertisers or the like jacob marley

.[/QUOTE]

That's very true and at the end of the day we all have our own preferences for whatever reason. As I said, I was bought up with Dobies seeds and my Dad still only orders from them but there is something 'cosy' about sitting with a pile of catalogues planning next year on a dark, cold evening.

[lynda66]

i've bought most of my seeds when they reduced them, wilkies poundstretchers etc.

but i've also had fun growing some weird stuff, and tropicals, which i've bought mostly off ebay, there are some good suppliers who sell small packs of seeds and lots cheaper than some of the big named brands.

[Broc Husdon]

Hi - I reckon SeedDirect.co.uk are the cheapest. They actually have a guarantee on their homepage that if u can find a cheaper supplier in the UK they'll beat it and give you a pack of free seeds for your efforts... I must admit i've tried but can't find anybody half as cheap. In my searches Fothergills do seem the next best value as they do not charge P&P, but even with SeedDirect charging 65p P&P, if you look at the numbers of seeds you get they are still way cheaper than Fothergills. Somebody above mentioned Moles - excellent site, and cheap...but you have to order semi commercial quantities....

Good luck!!!

K

[aud]

I use sutttons

[kernowyon]

Hi - I reckon SeedDirect.co.uk are the cheapest. They actually have a guarantee on their homepage that if u can find a cheaper supplier in the UK they'll beat it and give you a pack of free seeds for your efforts... I must admit i've tried but can't find anybody half as cheap. In my searches Fothergills do seem the next best value as they do not charge P&P, but even with SeedDirect charging 65p P&P, if you look at the numbers of seeds you get they are still way cheaper than Fothergills. Somebody above mentioned Moles - excellent site, and cheap...but you have to order semi commercial quantities....

Good luck!!!

K

every time i try to go to the website you quoted my work firewall flags up as banned due to , erm as you could put it, unusual seeds

[Two_Sheds]

For beans of all kinds, heritage and unusual: Beans and Herbs
Great service, great price, great beans.

[jondanie]

Flytrap,
I've been using Suttons seeds for quite a few years and I’ve always been very happy with their seed, with excellent germination rates. While their range is not as extensive as others, it should be adequate for most people. The catalogue is a decent size and is easily read.

In the last couple of years, I've tried both T&M (through their 50% end of season price reductions) and Moles Seeds. T&M are a bit pricey and P&P at £1.99 is a bit much but germination rates are high. I guess you get what you pay for. They produce a very nice catalogue and the £5 off voucher is a good bonus too.

If you could share an order with some friends, I would certainly recommend Moles Seeds, I've had excellent results with their seeds and I will be using them again next year. As a commercial seed supplier, you can be assured of high quality seed. Even the smallest packet size still represents a significant saving over other suppliers.

The Gardening Which magazine carried a recent survey of a range of seed companies, repeating a similar survey they did last year. Some companies ranked poorly on seed quality, viability etc. It’s worth checking this article out, though companies that faired badly still seem to have people who swear by them. So maybe the jury is out on this one.

I don’t usually request catalogues unless I’m pretty sure I’ll order from them, as to reduce unnecessary postage costs, paper waste and time wasting on my part. I order online but it's nice to browse a paper catalogue.

Overall, I pick my suppliers on the basis of previous experience and good germination rates. In my experience, just getting the seed germinated and above ground is half the battle. After that, it’s down to your gardening skills to develop your seedlings into a harvestable crop. Using poor quality seed is like tying one hand behind your back before you even sow your seed.

Hope this helps

[Flytrap]

That's a good point about germination rates and quality of the seed.
I have grown many carnivorous plants from seeds and depending where the seed came from can mean either very high germination rates or even zero seed viability. That's a big deal when you may only get a few very expensive seeds in a pack.
With veg seeds, they are generally much cheaper and get many more in a packet but I would still expect good seed viability.

I see many people buy from well established seed suppliers but also many people buy from cheap sources like Wilkinsons, B&Q etc, etc. for their less specialised crops.
I guess in that case these cheaper seeds must still be good quality and get good germination rates. Does it make much of a difference or is it really a case of you get what you pay for?

Thanks all for your help and information.
Cheers,

Flytrap.

[darkangel6976]

Nerobot-what/is seeds by size?
I get a few catalogues that are mentioned and then compare prices and check people's opinions on them too.
I have bought some organic seeds from B & Q and they come on a piece of tape so that all you do it roll it out and there you go!
I have bought value seeds too and expensive seeds and as people have said it depends on soil, the way you have looked after them, weather conditions-really anything can affect seeds but it's all trial and error.
good luck and let us know how you get on!