Starting from scratch

[Scottishnewbie]

hi everyone

It's been nearly 3 years since I've been in a position to grow anything but 2015 is the year I can get started again. I'm so happy and can't wait to get going

The only problem is that I have NO in date seeds and, as I'm no longer working, NO spare dosh to buy any (other than the 29p LIDL ones when they become available).

I don't suppose anyone has any spare any things they would like to 'donate' please?

I'll happily reimburse postage and share my excess next year.

I can't do the seed swap as I have nothing to swap this year

My address is:

[cariann88]

You can always try and sow with the seeds you have got and see if they will grow

[veggiechicken]

Hello Scottishnewbie - I'll say welcome as we haven't "met" before
Have you checked the viability of your seeds? They may surprise you! A good guide How long vegetable seeds can be stored
Many people grow Lidl/Aldi seeds each year, and they're considerably cheaper than sending SAEs given the cost of stamps.

[Guest]

All my Dad grows is Lidl specials and because of the price he doesn't worry about saving seeds. There are a lot of positives for it. Concentrating on 10's of veg/ varieties rather than 100's. Most of the seeds are popular tried and tested varieties etc, etc.
Then if you want a little variety for your toms, cues, courgettes keep an eye out at carboots or peoples driveways (for surplus plant sell offs).

[bearded bloke]

There are a lot of positives for it. Concentrating on 10's of veg/ varieties rather than 100's.

Excellent point, I think we all to some extent get "sucked in" by the pictures on the packets, followed quickly by the "I gotta grow them" mindset

[Sharpy]

Hi

Do you have a Poundland near ?. They are doing vegetable packs, which contain 8 different varieties, also seed potatoes, herbs and flowers. Might be worth a look.

[skeggijon]

Poundland also do multipacks of seed collections - 5 or 6 packets for a pound. We use quite a few of these with great success and unless you're looking for particular varieties of a vegetable, you can pretty much find everything you could need.

[Kristen]

Who needs 1,500 lettuce seeds? Must be possible to do some sort of swap, trouble is that cost of postage is a killer so would need to be with mates / allotment holders locally.

Might be worth considering which vegetables are available with "lots" of seeds in a packet which could be exchanged. F1 varieties likely to be few-seeds-per-packet, but open pollinated ones many more.

Might also be worth buying "bulk" to share, e.g. someone like Moles Seeds. 20 people clubbing together to buy 20 varieties might only be £2 each, and enough seed of each variety for all members. Again, I can't see it working with remote "chums" due to postage cost.

There are seed swaps advertised - I've seen quite a few recently, dotted around the country, although I didn't pay too much attention as it is not something that appeals to me personally.

[Bren In Pots]

Hi

Do you have a Poundland near ?. They are doing vegetable packs, which contain 8 different varieties, also seed potatoes, herbs and flowers. Might be worth a look.

My best ever Sweet peas came from Poundland.

[Scottishnewbie]

thanks for your replies everyone. I'll just do Lidl and Poundland then . Good tips. thank you

[bearded bloke]

I'd forgotten about £land I've had seeds & spuds from my local one in the past

[veggiechicken]

I think Wilkos seeds are 3 for 2 as well - and they're cheap too.

[Nannysally99]

4 packs of seeds for 99p today in 99p shop. Five varieties of tomato 99p, mixed veg seeds 5 for 99p, can't go wrong. Wilkos seed pots £1 for 5 potatoes
Hope that helps

[greenishfing]

My best ever Sweet peas came from Poundland.

Mine too !!

[NatalieCooke]

You can always try and sow with the seeds you have got and see if they will grow

I can only echo whats has already been said by other members but like Cariann said. Try and plant out the seeds you already have, you have nothing to lose.