How *do* you choose your varieties?

[Paulottie]

I like Kings too, and they'll do a deal if you club together..but they're not really organic growing specialists.

....However, I still really recommend Tamar if your into Organic seed ...huge, interesting and guaranteed range ...plus cheaper than some of these bandwagon organic catalogues.Knowledgeable friendly bunch too.

[TEB]

I usually check out the RHS website and look for the award of garden merit (AGM) classifications, other than that is what has grown well before.

[snakeshack]

¡Other forums!......¡que!?????.....surely not.

don't usually plug suppliers but.....

try googling Tamar Organics....a superb company based in Cornwall for organic growers.

....as a matter of interest Chris...and without hijacking this thread...what do you suggest as the best variety and supplier for large onion seed?

I like robinsons "mammothonion.co.uk" is the website i think.
they do large onions and leeks ,seeds and plants

[Paulottie]

Robinsons...that's it!....Thank you, that's kind. Always wanted to try growing a few mammoth onions.

[maypril]

Well firstly, Don't believe everything it says on the tin.

I always think that it's what they don't say that counts. If you buy a tomato variety and it doesn't say "a great cropping variety", then you're probably only going to get two or three tomatoes

Personally, I go for the tried and tested varieties. The varieties that you see recommended in every book and blog. Then once I've bought those, I go for one 'experimental' variety as well. That way, if the experimental variety fails, then at least I have the 'tried & tested' variety to fall back on. If the experimental variety succeeds well, then maybe that will become my 'tried and tested' variety next year!

[BUFFS]

if all else fails,try for the name of your local gardening club from your library,or the address of the local allotments,either will give you the best local experts on what to grow or what not,whatever you decide,it will taste a lot better than any shop bought stuff..good luck with your choices....

[organic]

I thought I'd let this thread run for a bit before responding and I'm very glad I did... there's a load of good advice in here!

I'll answer some points but not addressed to anyone in particular.

Firstly, I'll be growing almost everything on an allotment, so I do have a good bit of advice on tap down there... I'm not sure how many (if any) are taking an organic approach there though. When I was told "everyone just sprays them" in response to a pest question I had it made me think maybe I was the only one. We'll see though. When I've asked about varieties and suppliers before I've just been pointed in the direction of a local nursery, and I know they aren't organic. Anyway. I digress (and not for the first time).

I think the advice to go for something with a good reputation is good. As Buffs said, no matter what it's going to taste far better than shop bought stuff so I can't really go wrong there.

I was on the RHS website looking for some info on the strawberries I got last year and had completely forgotten about it. I'll have a look on there as I found the reviews pretty informative.

I'll look into the different suppliers people have mentioned. I've only been looking at the Garden Organic catalogue so far as it's confusing enough without getting a load more into the mix. I'll probably order a few catalogues and maybe order from a few different ones for things that go in later in the season or for overwintering.

I think it was Becki who said they found the GO catalogue confusing. Funny that, as I find it really easy to get around and understand.
The confusion is all on my part and my lack of knowledge about all this, which in some ways is kinda fun in itself.

So it looks like the plan is to google some reviews of specific varieties, choose between the good ones based on the harvest they offer so I get a nice, long availability and then start to experiment or change to different varieties later.

Can anyone suggest a good site for ready-posted reviews of things? I'm thinking of something more formal than a forum, maybe some sort of standardised testing or something. Or does such a thing not exist?

[Flummery]

Our site is small (11 plots) and largely occupied by elderly gents but I was surprised that we have only 1 Chemical Ali - he's the only one with un-munched sprout leaves!

[zazen999]

I choose them when they call to me. I get the catalogue, and within an hour it is posted back with my choices. If I look for too long I dawdle and pontificate and drive Mr Z crazy so I just go for what leaps out at me.

For seed guardians I've decided to choose stuff I don't actually like - so I've chosen radishes and spiky cukes this year - so they get left and there is no temptation to try any.

[SarzWix]

Their seeds have a good germination rate unlike some that have been reported like T&M.

Sorry, but I had to just question this statement... T&M actually came out top in a germination test by Which? Gardening people, not that long ago. They may be slightly more expensive, but germination is not something i've ever had an issue with T&Ms seeds.

[sarraceniac]

Sorry, but I had to just question this statement... T&M actually came out top in a germination test by Which? Gardening people, not that long ago. They may be slightly more expensive, but germination is not something i've ever had an issue with T&Ms seeds.

I've always found T&M fine for germination rates too but not brilliant on customer service. Which is why, if I can get what I want from Premier Seeds Direct I prefer to deal with them 'cos they're good on both.

I guess this is a bit off topic. There was a topic not long ago about how you choose your supplier. This one is I think about how you decide what to buy.

[Nicos]

I think I'm boring!!!!

I make a list of what veg I want to grow and look through a few seed catalogues.
I like to go for the varieties which are bolt hardy or resistant to something or stringless or good flavour- as many of those ticks in the boxes as possible.
I have my favourites already and for
things like sprouts and cabbage and pak choi and perpetual spinach wouldn't bother me as to what variety.

Peas, carrots, lettuce, beans, toms etc I go for flavour esp as I've tried a few which have been a complete let down.
I used to order some from a couple of companies- and then a few packets from the garden centres. Now I'm here I've bought most of the packets in the UK cos they're much cheaper, although I'm still happy to experiment!