Trust stuff from garden centers?

[ninjajane]

Normally seed but I had a really bad chilli and pepper germination rate this year, so bough some chillies and pepper plants. I did this last year with 2 chilli plants and got a good crop from them. Still had to pot them on and feed them and get exited when they flower etc.

BUT I do get excited in January when I can start the seed trays and watch them grow. The garden centre tomato's last week are half the size of mine

[cupcake]

I like to grow from seed, that way I get the varieties I want, not what is available. The only thing I have bought in is a couple of cucumber plants 60p each from the local nursery. I don't have a good track record with cucs.

[COMPOST CORNER]

I do both, I tend to forget something, so this year I have bought celery seedlings. I also got three different chilli plants as my chilli germination leaves a lot to be desired, all good healthy plants, from my local Focus DIY.
You sometimes have to look through to get decent plants, but I have no problems with that. In fact, my local Wyevale GC has chilli plants just labelled "Chilli", at least Focus name the variety.

[taff]

I buy things that I can't be bothered, or have forgotten to sow.

This yearI bought leeks and celery,both in the former category. Last year I bought celeriac as well but sowed it this year, and even if I say so myself,they look fab
I also go there sometimes and get stuff that looks lonely or not well cared for, and I think, ooo, I can make it live again!!!!
That's because I'm sad though.....

[haza1981]

I must say I was in B&Q today looking at the plants while buying "w" clips for my newly aquired greenhouse and I was not tempted to buy anything. The tomato's plants were tiny and had no flowers. Everything else also seemed so small. Needles to say I left with only my clips and some tomatorite.

[Two_Sheds]

The tomato's plants were tiny and had no flowers.

Neither do mine (sown Jan)
You wasted your money with Tomorite: could've bought comfrey instead

[haza1981]

Neither do mine (sown Jan)
You wasted your money with Tomorite: could've bought comfrey instead

So tomatorite's not a great idea then? i'm new to this game so any idea on a good cheap and effective fertilizer would be great

[Two_Sheds]

any idea on a good cheap and effective fertilizer would be great

Comfrey


or borage is good too. Pick from the wild if you don't have any yet

[Flummery]

Tomorite's fine. Comfrey tea's cheaper - if you have a non-invasive comfrey. I use tomorite. The dosage is consistent too.

[Patchninja]

I buy things that I can't be bothered, or have forgotten to sow.

This yearI bought leeks and celery,both in the former category. Last year I bought celeriac as well but sowed it this year, and even if I say so myself,they look fab
I also go there sometimes and get stuff that looks lonely or not well cared for, and I think, ooo, I can make it live again!!!!
That's because I'm sad though.....

No, no, you're not sad! I think it's Bunny Guiness on GQT who's got a project going to rescue sad-looking plants from these places!

It depends on how many plants I want. A packet of seeds can be quite costly if you only want 1 plant. I bought a collection of 3 different aubergines as I've never grown them before - one mini, one white and one "normal". One of them is HUGE!

[chris]

I bought 2 mange tout plants for 50p - they were wilted, etc - thought its worth a shot. they've grown loads since planting in and given a good watering.

They're fruiting now too. Bargain

[womble]

I bought 2 mange tout plants for 50p - they were wilted, etc - thought its worth a shot. they've grown loads since planting in and given a good watering.

They're fruiting now too. Bargain

Bargain? You can buy a whole packet of mange tout seeds for 50p.

[chris]

okay, maybe a bargain to their original price It is cheaper growing from seed, you're correct - but as the rest of my peas + beans are already established, 50p for two large plants isnt too bad!

And I guess it's a bargain as opposed to spending £2.50 for a pack of them from the shop One plant is already fruiting more than those small packs you get from the supermarkets. They were labelled 'organic' too, I did haggle - I think they were marked up at 3.99 each, so 50p over pretty much £8 isn't too shabby!

[susieq100]

I am occasionally tempted by plants at GC's and DIY places, but they are SOOO expensive! I have planted some sweet peppers this year (in the spirit of adventure) and had to have 3 goes at germinating the little devils - finally had to chit them in the airing cupboard as per advice from here. They are still tiny despite being lovingly nurtured in my g'house. So ...I thought ... I'll buy a plant from B&Q - £4.50!!! No I won't buy a plant from B&Q.

Strawberries - yes - I bought 8 cheap plants last year from Lidl and we had a taste last summer but they are loaded with fruit this year - just need some sun for ripening. I'm just a bit mean I think and so would rather buy seeds than plants.

[JJSH]

I think it's often a case of looking out for special offers, susieq100. I noticed that HomeBase were doing 6 assorted plants for a fiver when I popped in with a friend to swap the two left legs she had had delivered for her BBQ with a right and a left one (grrr.....), and managed to pick up 3 Chillies and 3 Sweet Peppers for the price of a couple of pints.

But I have seen them at stupid prices as well.