Seeds for next year

[monkeyboy]

When I joined this community, I bought seeds from moreveg. I don't need many seeds just a few at a time, so moreveg was great for small numbers. I've had problems with seeds not germinating so I'd like to look elsewhere for next year but I don't need 10s or 100s of seeds.

Any suggestions would be welcome

[veggiechicken]

Depends on whether you want particular varieties or not!
If standard ones are OK, Buy cheap ones from L1dl/Ald1/W1lko. Most seeds will be viable for a couple of years so it doesn't matter if you have too many to use immediately.

[weegie]

I also had poor germination with Moreveg seed. This year most of mine came from Premier Seeds Direct but you get 1000s, good if you can share them but I can't, and will feel very guilty throwing them out. My Polestar runner beans were an old packet of Mr Fothergills left over from last year - 100% germination!

[veggiechicken]

RealSeeds have a guide to how long properly stored seeds remain viable. Its worth reading and testing seeds before you chuck them out

https://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlife.html

[Snoop Puss]

Premier Seeds Direct are very good value, postage is very cheap and they often give away packets of seeds. Even if you get more than you need, they're not that pricey over all. That said, I once grew plants that were not what it said on the packet. I'm not the only one here to have experienced that, I think. Even so, I still buy seeds off them readily.

[burnie]

It can be a lottery with seeds, but when you put in all the work and get no result, or a poor result it's a bit disheartening, I buy seed I can trust, I think it's false economy to buy cheap seeds. I have a small list of suppliers that I have used for years and tend to stick to them, along with the free ones with our magazine.

[weegie]

RealSeeds have a guide to how long properly stored seeds remain viable. Its worth reading and testing seeds before you chuck them out

https://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlife.html

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply that I automatically threw surplus seeds out each year. The Real Seeds guide is very helpful. But for example the packet of Red Russian Kale contains about 2,000 seeds and I only wanted six plants. Germination was very good and I planted the extras in a local community garden. They have all grown huge. I'll store and use these seeds for the next couple of years but I don't think I'll get through all 2,000!

[muckdiva]

I’ve had a non germinating pack from Moreveg but they sent me a replacement pack by return when I told them. Half a dozen packs of other varieties from them bought at the same time germinated very well - in fact the beans were through in 3 days so I’d say email if there’s a problem. I’ve had dud packs from some of the big brands too - usually when purchased from garden centres where the storage conditions are questionable.
I like the smaller companies as they often have more interesting varieties.

Saving your own seed is brilliant too.