ONE Tomato/pepper plant for SEVEN QUID!!

[Noodles]

I don't understand the point of the B&Q 'full-grown' chillies and toms though. You may as well just buy the fruit from Tesco.

That's what I think. I can see the point of buying small plants if you don't have the time / space / inclination to grow everything from seed but paying a fortume to buy an overpriced plant once the work has been done seems pointless to me.

They must be bought by people with more money than sense who want to boast to their friends about the food they're serving that's "just come straight from the garden"

[OverWyreGrower]

That's even more wrong then, selling them nearly fully grown, and producing fruit, at this time of year?! Is just going to confuse people who have no idea of seasonality anyway! And I bet half of them take them home, sit em on the patio, then wonder why they've died off after a frost...

But, selling forced plants, full of fruit, at the wrong time of year... That makes me cross!

I don't understand the point of the B&Q 'full-grown' chillies and toms though. You may as well just buy the fruit from Tesco.

That's exactly what I don't get! You can get a little bag of mixed chillies from Tesco etc for a couple of quid, same with value peppers or whatever.

I understand why you buy plug plants etc from garden centres/online; I've done it myself, after I've run out of time/sowing has failed etc. But to be selling forced plants, full of fruit, in April just goes against the whole 'GYO' movement I think.

[onefivenine]

They're always a good fallback if your plants don't work out. I'm bearing that in mind as it's my first year growing.

I spent about £7 on a chilli plant in Dobbies last summer and we're still eating them... which is a lot better that paying the supermarket 50p every few days, for a packet of three or 4

This year I have 13 Hot Cayenne seedlings which are just getting their 3rd set of true leaves

[marmalade]

There's a guy near us who sells plugs for £1 a tray (small seed tray size). We also shop at the auctions - 60 runner bean plants for £4 last weekend! I really recommend it to anyone who has an agricultural-style auction nearby.

I've never heard of these auctions - how would I find out where they are?

[Herbie]

I would not buy these plants from Q & B, I enjoy growing your own to much and at £7 they are far too expensive for me. I didn't pay £7 for a large shrub last weekend at the market we visited. Each to their own but I like growing me own Thinking of all the plants I could raise from seed for £7.

[BumbleB]

I've never heard of these auctions - how would I find out where they are?

I just did a search for agricultural auction in kent uk and came up with this
Lambert & Foster - Web Home

It looks very interesting, viewed the catalogue - like a boot fair on a grander scale, 9th May, might go along...

[lottie dolly]

i saw the toms in our B&Q,they didn't look right,they look more like a christmas decoration,not only do they look forced,but you not going to get that many toms of them,it's like a lot of plants,they bread to only last a few weeks,when i think about it i did not see a growing leader,was very odd.

[Demeter]

The thing that really annoys me as well is when you see a "grow your own salad" planter. It is a container with a variety of lettuces and other CCA type salads all pretty much ready to pick (not much "growing" left to be done by the buyer!!) - the total cost far exceeds what it would cost to buy the same amount of salad in the shops, but you are "growing your own" so it's worth the extra money? Designed to appeal to those who want to grow something as a "lifestyle" thing, but don't actually know anything about plants or want to do any actual gardening and haven't really thought very much about the reasons why growing your own is actually satisfying.... Sigh.

[kirsty b]

I have been particularly rubbish at getting sowing done this year so far and have already 'cheated' and bought some young plants from garden shows/garden centres. I wouldn't dream of paying £7 for a plant that is fruiting so early, I could get a new rose bush for the front garden for that price instead.
My local market is selling young tomato plants, I think its £2 a pot or 3 for a fiver, they are about 6" high and in 5 inch pots. Will be getting some of those cos I think that is pretty reasonable.

[Demeter]

I have been particularly rubbish at getting sowing done this year so far and have already 'cheated' and bought some young plants from garden shows/garden centres...

Ah but that's not cheating, that's sensible.
(Cheating is buying it from Waitrose, sprinkling it with compost, and sticking it in your trug... Or, as in this thread, buying a plant that is already ready to harvest!!)

[Raindancer411]

i gave all my extra 20 or so tom plants to friends and family but always intend to grow some to take to a bootfair one year... Never do do it though as of limited space (cant take over my poor mums garden any more than I already have!)

I know what you mean about introducing people to growing their own from seed. I have got some of my friends and family hooked as they said they did not realise just how satisfying it was to grow it yourself...

[starloc]

It can be handy buying a bigger plant, I have loads of ones grown from seed some now very big, but last week i saw a plant on ebay from heirloomtomatoes.org ( `the tomato shop` on ebay) and bought it, a hawian pineapple tomato, cost me about £5 including postage, there website has allsorts of strange ones for sale, they also do seeds, i got seeds at the same time for the same type,

There prices seem to be more per plant but other plants are tiny seedlings these are large healthy ones, they are good plants, mine was about a foot high in a 3 inch pot, thick stem, very healthy, packed in a decent plant posting blister pack. great plant now growing rapidly

[Iamhanuman]

I've never heard of these auctions - how would I find out where they are?

yes where are they
i don't live far from Colchester so I'd be very interested!!

[lavender lou]

I think it's disgusting!
But while these stores have got them, people will buy them.

Went into my local wilko's, and for the first time ever they are selling different vegetable plants, all at 75p.
Much better priced if you ask me and you've not lost much if it dies or doesn't grow has you wanted it to.

I've loved this year... as it's been my first proper season and sowing all my seeds. Waiting for them to germinate..buying a already grown plant takes away the excitement.

[allotmentlady]

I went to Robinsons the mammoth onion place, its about 17 miles from me. 3.00 for 1 tomato plant, 3.00 for 1 courgette plant 9 inch pots! I asked if they contained gold chips lol..........for 10 leeks and onions is £10.00...........