Runner bean plants on sale

[BarleySugar]

I popped into Homebase today, and by the front door, in the coldest, windyiest position was a trolley laden with runner bean plants, courgettes, peppers, chillies, tomatoes and cucumbers. There was no notice about keeping them even frost free, let alone warm enough to thrive. In the show greenhouse they had trays of small tomato seedlings, the leaves shrivelled from the cold.

It makes me very angry because a lot of people new to veg growing may buy these plants, and be fooled into thinking it is fine to put them out, because they were outside at the shop. Then they will be put off veg growing because they have wasted their money when the plants die of cold. Anyway, where on earth could you keep runners undercover safely until May? With the first true leaves showing, and they weren't dwarf ones either, they'll soon be trying to climb.

If anyone is new to veg growing and reads this, please make sure you have somewhere to put these tender plants when you get them home, and remember, they may have caught cold anyway depending on where the shop had them on display.

[zazen999]

They've got the up here in the almost frozen Midlands as well...I saw them t'other day.

Poor babies; they must be freezing their little wotsits off.

And then the newbies will think they are not good at gardening; when in fact it was because homebase don't know their arse from their elbow.

[phil the shed]

I popped into Homebase today, and by the front door, in the coldest, windyiest position was a trolley laden with runner bean plants, courgettes, peppers, chillies, tomatoes and cucumbers. There was no notice about keeping them even frost free, let alone warm enough to thrive. In the show greenhouse they had trays of small tomato seedlings, the leaves shrivelled from the cold.

It makes me very angry because a lot of people new to veg growing may buy these plants, and be fooled into thinking it is fine to put them out, because they were outside at the shop. Then they will be put off veg growing because they have wasted their money when the plants die of cold. Anyway, where on earth could you keep runners undercover safely until May? With the first true leaves showing, and they weren't dwarf ones either, they'll soon be trying to climb.

If anyone is new to veg growing and reads this, please make sure you have somewhere to put these tender plants when you get them home, and remember, they may have caught cold anyway depending on where the shop had them on display.

well barley sugar i can't agree with you more, i can't find the thread but i posted my disgust this time last year about the quality an lack of care instructions on the items in homebase

[seasprout]

Is this it..?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rves_5800.html

Almost to the Day Phil.

[BarleySugar]

I wasn't a member back then, but it just goes to show things don't change. Hopefully for new growers/members it will serve as a fresh warning.

[phil the shed]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rves_5800.html

Almost to the Day Phil.

thanks ss i couldn't remember the name of the link but your dead right
things don't change and the ones in our local are of similar poor quality and they were inside for a week getting leggy and then outside when the weather got colder

[deezyb]

i saw calabrese seedlings in one of the local co-ops this week, and thought, okay I'd have a look. pathetic looking things really, the ones I'm TRYING to grow at the house are not much different to them, but slightly and only slightly healthier!....but I didn't buy...they looked weak and would've probably died! But I have to say, last year, at B&Q in their Sale Bin, there was a tray of poor looking calabrese seedlings for 50p...i bought them, planted and had a crop from 4 of the 6..so I thought not a bad punt in the long run!

[Two_Sheds]

B&Q are taking advantage of those who can't wait to get something planted. When those plants die, the folks will go back and buy some more. My sis-in-law falls for it every year!

BarleySugar, copy out your post into a letter and mail it to head office. They really ought to be including care instructions with their plants.

[Eyren]

I hardly ever go in Homebase any more - our local independent garden centre is far far better. However the Homebase is more central and I only needed some small plastic pots for potting on, so I thought "What the hell!". I couldn't resist having a browse of their rather small plant section, and I noticed that although they had several varieties of mint on offer, they were all just labelled "Mint" - well I can work that out using my own nose! I bought some anyway, as one of mine had died, but I'm rather wishing I hadn't given them my money now

[heebiejeebie]

Wilko had a thyme plant labelled "Warning - do not eat"

[Eyren]

Oh no - does that mean I'm going to die? We put thyme in everything!

[areia]

thing is though i was surprised that its not just the diy stores selling em the people who should know better are small gardening centres i was at one yesterday they had lettuce toms runners, rocket,

[allotmentlady]

These DIY stores have no idea do they? Just a quick money making scheme. Last week, outisde a particular DIY store near they had binned bags and bags of seed potatoes.

Disgusting really.

[areia]

I Want To Start A Protest Stop Cruelty To Seedlings Don't Make Them Suffer :d

[vegnut]

Wilko had a thyme plant labelled "Warning - do not eat"

Hahaha Does it have..." May Contain Nuts " as well