Buying Vegetable Plants Online.

[Two_Sheds]

the worst online delivery I had (of plants) was from Gluttonous Gardener (aptly named)
Mr Sheds spent £36 on a huge wooden crate, which contained two herbs - one of which was dead, the other was mint (which I have in abundance on my allotment).

Complaints to GG fell on deaf ears.

[mandi]

parkers were rubbish for me...ordered a load this year, jasmine, perennials etc all looked so knackered when they arrived and still haven't caught up so very disappointing. bulbs were ok, but i wouldn't order on line from them again....
had some veg plants free(had to pay p&p) from another gardening mag , basically from thompson and morgan which were tiny but healthy when they arrived and have performed really well a courgette, pumpkin, pepper (eaten by slugs!!)aubergene(now 3 big fruits)and tomato tomazing, don't like F1's but this one is really vigarous and covered in little orange fruit...so not all mail order is rubbish i just wouldn't spend a fortune on it again.

[Alison]

I had a bad experience with Parkers last year also, complained and got some money back so not all bad. Worse was the service I've had off T&M, their seed supply is fine but almost all the plants I've had have been damaged / a different variety / late or all three! Customer service not too good either although have managed to get replacement on one occaision.

[Winged one]

I ordered winter brassicas from Suttons last year (a lot of them don't deliver to Ireland but these do) and they were good. They were posted and all arrived in good nick (each type was sealed into it's own bag and had been well watered before packaging). I was pleased with the results (not only did I actually HAVE things growing for the winter, but I had my first ever PSB and it was gorgeous!!). The only thing wrong with it was that I had a huge glut of cabbages to deal with (15 each of 2 varieties), but we coped.

If I had messed up on seeds again and needed plants, I'd happily order from them again.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I've been very pleased with Suttons for vegetable plants and seeds, but not impressed with their perrenials. I spent a lot of money only to have most of them die and the rest are so pathetic even after two years in the ground I forget they are there.

[nelliegemini]

I don't know what the rules are about naming those who provide bad service, but if you want to know, pm me and I will tell all!

OK, I think that has been covered! I bought from Sarah Raven's Kitchen Garden, it was advertised in the Daily Telegragh as 3 each of Borlotti, a purple French bean I can't remember the name of and Red Kuri Sqash. I have harvested no Borlottis (neither has the neighbour I gave my surplus to), very few French beans and to date no Squash though two have set and I live in hope. As I said, all arrived in bad condition.

The emails came from a firm called FlyingBrands, so I'd avoid them as well.

[garygc2008]

I had a bad experience with Parkers last year also, complained and got some money back so not all bad. Worse was the service I've had off T&M, their seed supply is fine but almost all the plants I've had have been damaged / a different variety / late or all three! Customer service not too good either although have managed to get replacement on one occaision.

I also bought from T&M a few years ago. A red, seedless variety of grapes. 2 years on, smashing crop, BUT .......... Green and seeded.

[BarleySugar]

My petunias from T&M were white instead of purple, and the large flowered fuschias turned out to be small single flowers. By the time the flowers came it was too late to do much, my planned displays were not as I thought they'd be. OK for seeds, but I won't buy plants from them again.
I wouldn't buy plants from Parkers either, as the freebies I got were losing their leaves and had mold. They all died, so it wasn't a good advert for the company.

[Demeter]

Gosh there are a lot of "wouldn't buy from ***** again" stories aren't there?

We got a lot of plants from our farmer's market this year, which have all been very healthy and grown well. I say "we" but actually it was my allotment partner who didn't really believe that seeds would grow so insisted on buying in a few trays of peas and sweetcorn and things, just in case!

[SarzWix]

I buy lots on eBay, and never had anything dodgy: I got my comfrey Bocking 14 (superb); black bamboo (not so good, but the dead plant was replaced for free); camellia ...

all from different sellers, not the same shop. Check the feedback if you're worried about a seller.

I have bought plants from eBay sellers, and had no problems with them at all, But, they've all been flower garden type plants. As Snadger said, you can import some nasties with veg plants if you're unlucky THe possibility of club-root on field grown brassicas has to be at least considered before you buy - I don't have it on my plot, and I don't want it! Module/pot grown plants should be ok though.

[Two_Sheds]

I have to say, my flower seeds from T&M have been worse than useless. Out of 4 packs sown, only one plant managed to germinate, and it still looks sickly. I have no problem with anything else, and their veg seeds seem to be largely ok.
Funny isn't it?

I am on a crusade to make a True Blue flower border for Himself (Chelsea fan) and bought some Blue Carmel fuchsias from local shop ... they've just flowered, and are ... Annabel (white to pale pink).

As I've already stated, T&M sold me some "blue" fuchsias (Delta Sarah) which are actually more of a purple. I have to rush out and pull off the flowers after a day, when they turn from an almost blue to a horrible mauve.

[Two_Sheds]

Poundshop have been the most surprising ... mother bought lots of "white" bulbs from them ... and everything came up pink!

[jackie j]

I buy my veg plants from the local market I can see before I buy, the chap also has an allotment next to me, he also gave me my first strawberry plants after I had bought a couple he told me to help myself from his allotment.

[SarzWix]

I had some Red Geranium & some Mixed Petunia's from T&M as plug plants earlier this year. The petunias have done ok, but the geraniums took ages to bulk up, and only started flowering last week! Rubbish! They'll be dead in another week Can't fault their veg stuff though.

[bloom]

Marshalls is a good supplier, both me and my mom use them.