VERY expensive seeds - worth it?

[smallblueplanet]

I've never tried yellow courgettes but we do grow these



early summer straightneck and crookneck squash

Beans and Herbs - down the bottom of the page

Vegetable Seed : Courgettes & Summer Squash - at bottom for crookneck.

Both are very tasty and can be eaten 'courgette' stylee or left to get bigger and eaten/kept as summer squash. Might need a bit more warmth & longer growing season - so last year they were a wash out.

[Herbie]

I am converting to as many op varieties as I can, I think saving seed is quite satisfying, as you keep yourself in seed and can share with others . I still have some F1 that I am going to use up or swap.

I brought a seed saving book that was recommended by Auntie Flum, its a good read and will save money in the long run.

Can anyone recommend a variety of op cucumbers, as this is usually where I end up spending alot of money on seed which usually is F1 .

[zazen999]

Aah - I've bought the crookneck ones, but the resulting fruits last year were not crookneck at all...they were half round and half patty pan and half yellow and green...more a murky greeny grey if I'm honest - a bit of a disappointment. I'm going to try the crooknecks again this year - but can't afford to have no yellow courgettes whilst I'm looking for a suitable alternative...

I'll have a look at the bean website though...and see if I can find one to suit.

[gojiberry]

I don't think you can beat the seeds if Italy or Franchi seeds, although they are about £2 a packet they have a remarkable amount of seeds in each packet. Good example Marketer cucumber 120 seeds for £1.69.

Ian

[Beanie]

Errmmm . . being new to this I wouldn't really know the difference between F1 and OP, BUT I did notice that my local Wilkinson's were doing a '3 for 2' offer on ALL seeds - any three packs, from any combo of their own brand and branded seeds . . .

[zazen999]

I don't think you can beat the seeds if Italy or Franchi seeds, although they are about £2 a packet they have a remarkable amount of seeds in each packet. Good example Marketer cucumber 120 seeds for £1.69.

Ian

Yup - totally agree. I have split mine down and passed loads on already.

[dammad49]

Sweetcorn 'Incredible' f1 19p a packet at Netto (reduced to 15p this week!!)
"American Seed" price marked 1 euro including some very interesting items eg leek Giant Musselborough, 5 packets for £1 at local poundshop.
Dont understand seed prices - confused.

[SarzWix]

Cucumbers are the thing that I still pay F1 prices for, I do think they're worth it when you compare to the price of a cucumber in the supermarket. I get 'Tiffany' from T&M, they're £3.99 for 4 seeds, but, every seed I sowed germinated & grew and each plant produced reliably for a few months! So I reckon I got my money's worth from them.

Apart from that, I grow Sungold & Shirley F1 toms but one packet has lasted 2 years so far, and I'll be using the same packet this year, so the packet price can be divided by 3!

[King Carrot]

With seeds I think it’s largely a case of I pays my money and takes my choice!

Personally, I like to think that the open pollinated seeds I buy/exchange have been originally grown from good seed, and are controlled or rouged and any non true to type plants removed along the way, and any isolation/protection from unwanted cross pollination that is necessary occurs. I also want most seed I buy to be as fresh as possible so I can store it and use it over a few growing seasons if I wish. It’s also favourable if the seed is produced locally to me or at least in my own climate (UK + Ireland) rather than the Mediterranean for example as it will be acclimatised. Finally when I sow the seed I want it to have a good germination rate and generally produce good strong plants.

I generally buy seed from a handful of companies/organisations as I believe/have learnt that they fulfil all, if not most of my above requirements.

I do buy F1’s here and there but again I like the seed to be fresh so I can store and use any over following seasons if I wish. I do think F1’s are excessively expensive (£2.50 for 5 cu seeds I remember paying) and are a good example of why I think keeping and saving open pollinated varieties is the best way forward.

At the end of the day, I put a lot of effort into preparing the soil and growing/looking after/protecting the plants, I just think it’s important to use the best quality seed that I can afford.

[womble]

I agree with Duronal, the only ones I really would buy are Ferline, as they are excellent, I'm going to use them for all of my fresh eating normal sized tomatoes this year.

I'm also changing to mostly all OP and some heritage varieties. In fact apart from the Ferline I can't think of another F1 I'm going to use this year.

I have really loved getting into seed swapping and getting hold of heritage seed. I am looking forward to see how this year goes as I have never grown so many different OP and heritage seeds before.

Next year I may well be back to all F1's

[lottyrep]

In Worcester there is a shop in the Crowngate shopping complex that has two huge boxes of Johnson seeds all of this years vintage including Kelsae onions priced at £3.25.
ALL seeds are being sold at 3 packets for £1 and are going like hot cakes. I've bought most of mine for two lotties at a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere
Alan

[Storming Norman]

I found that More Veg are also good for seeds at a reasonable price - around 50p and small packs, which means there is a chance that they will get used up in my smaller garden.

I bought some from them this year and already growing strongly are their chilies and aubergines. Don't know which mag recommended them - but thanks.

Cucumbers from Real Seeds last year were poor to put it mildly, and so were some of their climbing french beans, but they sent me replacements [this problem was reported to them by someone else]. They were pretty good and as they were so late it gave me a chance to grown beans much later than usual - which was a great success.

If you can go to T&M's open day in the summer there are loads of free flower seeds on offer to try out - I've still got some from a couple of years ago.

Ann

Ann

[Geordie]

for those wanting some extra info on F1 v Open pollinated:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...eeds_5594.html

[raine]

I always WANT to save my own seeds but just have zero willpower when i see those little packets! i have far too many seeds and, added to that i'm the kiss of death to anything i manage to germinate anyway! I too, was wondering about the B&Q own brands and they are only about 40p or something.I'd be interested to see if anyone grows them and what success they have.

[Flobalob]

In defence of F1 seeds. They are not always expensive.
Alan Romans - Vegetables