Seed catalogues....

[Hanna]

does everyone have a favourite? or am i best shopping around here and there? ive ordered a few just because i prefer to browse on paper, and i can take them here, there and everywhere!...i know its not very green..but i promise im an avid recycler! x

[Potstubsdustbins]

Dobies, Suttons, Marshalls seem to fit my needs but I am sure there are many others of equal quality.

Colin

[Hanna]

funnily enough i think ive ordered all three of those, so i'll let you know how i fair when they arrive! just wondered if anyone has any less well known ones that might offer something abit different? or are good in terms of value for money etc?

[chris]

I daren't have them. I'd spend far too much otherwise.

I like Kings Seeds - but that's probably because I'm as tight as a D.A, and get discount off them via an allotment association.

[Florian]

Hello from the other side of the water *waves*

I like those Colin has mentioned and also The Organic Gardening Catalogue, Kings, Original Touch (Although have yet to order from them) & Victoriana Nursery

[Hillwalker]

I find 'Just Seed' on ebay a good source for variety and price: Just Seed items - Get great deals on Vegetable seed, Flower items on eBay.co.uk Shops!

[Hanna]

hi, its great to hear from somebody local (ish) thankyou for the suggestions i'll take a look. just wondering if you have any favourite garden centres/nurseries that arent a million miles away?

[Bramble_killer]

oh no now i'm going to have a browse at the ones I don't recognise. I blame you lot if I buy more seeds!!

[Hanna]

well Mr postman will be busy delivering my catalogues over the next few days! looking forward to some forward planning! x

[Florence Fennel]

I use MoreVeg quite a lot Hanna. It's a small concern with a personal service. The seeds can be bought in smaller quantities than is usual, so the packets are cheaper and you don't get a lot left over.

[oldie]

And if you want non-hybrid types so you can save your own seeds then Real Seeds is the place to go.

[jojo2910]

I agree with Just Seed. I often browse the catelogues then buy from them. I found this article yesterday which has some of the companies already mentioned, plus a few I had not heard of.

Grow your own books, courses and seeds :: allaboutyou.com

[Florian]

hi, its great to hear from somebody local (ish) thankyou for the suggestions i'll take a look. just wondering if you have any favourite garden centres/nurseries that arent a million miles away?

To be honest I don't really as I don't have a car so don't really wander to them (might explain the catalogue obsession) however I have heard that the one at Port Sunlight is nice and someone at work today was talking about the bargains to be had at Crosses in Wallasey ?

[Alison]

I don't really like the big commercial ones like T&M / Suttons etc although do occaisionally use them. Most of my current seeds are either self saved, swapped or from Kings / Organic Cat. I also get a few bits from Real Seeds as I love their own ethos and they're usually very good quality of more unusual things.

[Kristen]

Personally I have found Suttons seed to be reliable over the years, and T & M a disappointment. In the main both perform just fine, so this is just based on the few failures I have had (more/some with T&M, fewer/none with Suttons).

For the last few years I have bought most of my seeds in the Wyevale end-of-season sale - around September - when packets are 50P each - which is great for the high-value F1 packets, and larger packets of Beans that are quite high cost. I don't buy seeds that have short viability in the sale - such as Parsnips. But things that are high-cost I buy enough for two seasons in case I don't manage to find any in the sale next year, as they tend to keep OK.

Generally I buy around 40 packets, so £20, and average packet price is probably £2 RRP

Other than that I look at Moles. They sell larger packets - so great if you want a large number of seeds, or can share with neighbours, and normal seeds are postage-free. I also use them for green-manure seeds (although those, and Peas and Beans are chargeable for postage)