Unbranded seeds from DIY stores?

[Matt.]

I'm interested in the opinion of experinced growers of using branded seeds versus the cheaper seeds available in DIY stores. What kind of quality difference should I expect and hence is it worth the extra? Also when looking at the branded seeds in garden centres there is quite a price range between different suppliers. Where do you invest your money and what brands (if this is allowed?). I should say this is primarily for vegetable seeds rather than flowers.

[Flummery]

Wilcos often have cheap seeds and they are great. You won't find fancy varieties and the packets often don't contain as much seed. However, as there are only 2 of us in this household there's often far more than I need in a packet. Some seed (notoriously parsnip) doesn't keep well, whereas beans can keep for ages.

I buy a mixture. I use a well know company's catalogue for the bulk of my stuff - though I admit to being a bit disappointed this year as I'm still waiting for some of it! - It has come in dribs and drabs. Then I impulse buy! This is usually own brand or cheaper stuff of common varieties.

It will be intersting to hear what others do.

[inca'smum]

Last year I bought own brand seeds from B&Q, chillis and sweet pepper. The results were pretty poor,for both, although it was my first year, so maybe I did something wrong. I planted some S.pepper seeds from a pepper that I had bought though and they grew really well. This year I have tried the B&Q peppers again and they have germinated, but I am trying different chillis. I normally buy my seeds from Th & M,and impulse buy at the garden centres.

[Alison]

Would agree with LJ re the storage of garden centres but suppose that depends on how quickly you buy them, if they've only just put them out you should be fine but if they're last years I'd avoid them unless reduced (what have you got to lose!). I've bought from supermarkets, DIY outlets etc and have had no problems with the quality of the seed but do tend to use mail order a fair bit as the choice is SO much better!!!!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I just the basic B&Q seeds last year and they were brill! My OH brought me loads of Wilkos seeds home last year so I used those - and again had brill results!

So much so, and so many seeds I'm mainly using Wilkos seeds this year.

I guess you pays your money and takes your choice, I'm of the opinion that you dont necessarily need to pay a lot to have good results and lots of fun!

Bernie aka Dexterdog

[rustylady]

Main thing is to buy fresh seeds (check the packed date and the sow by date on the packet). I use seed companies if I want a specific variety (usually tomatoes or peppers), and the cheap shops for general stuff. You don't get as many seeds in a packet, but who needs 500 Brussel sprout plants?

[Snadger]

The majority of my seeds I buy from Netto's for 19P a packet. Great seeds, great price!!!!!

[JennieAtkinson]

Wilkos? Nettos? Are these all local supermarkets? or are they seed companies with a catalogue?

[denise]

A work collegue grows lots of tomato plants with the students and as a mini enterprise they sell to the stsff, she got her seeds from Wilko last year and found they were far more sucsseful than the top name / top priced ones from local G. Center.

[muckdiva]

Have had good results with cheap seeds from Lidl, and I was quite surprised that they have a good choice. I have to travel a bit to get to my nearest store, but if I can coincide a visit with another trip it's definitely worthwhile.

And, with all the money you save you can treat yourself to something a bit different from www.realseeds.co.uk as their prices are also very reasonable considering you are getting some of the rarer varieties. Highly recommended!

[Snadger]

Wilkos? Nettos? Are these all local supermarkets? or are they seed companies with a catalogue?

Both are online Jennie! Wilco's or Wilkinsons are a general dealer who have outlets nationally, I think, and Netto's are a Scandinavian supermarket chain!

Not sure of there web addresses but try googling them!

PS Aldi and Lidl likewise, are supermarket chains!

[serenity]

I'm with muckdiva on this one. On recommendation from others I have bought seeds from netto and lidl, lidl having a larger range and including herbs. I have also bought a lot of seeds from real seeds which I wouldn't have been able to source locally, plus bogof seeds (T&M and own brand) from wilcos.

Not had a problem with any of them germinating so far. The parsnips were from netto, 19p, and are supposed to be very difficult to germinate so I pregerminated mine on kitchen paper. They started to sprout within days and made me wonder what all the fuss was about.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Wilkos? Nettos? Are these all local supermarkets? or are they seed companies with a catalogue?

Netto & Lidl are supermarkets Wilkinsons are a non food supermarket. Sorry Jennie don't think you'll have them up your way. Will ask OH to ask the Wilkinson HQ people for a branch near you and then we can move up to live in your super part of the world.

Bernie aka Dexterdog

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks Snadger and DDL. Just hadn't heard of Wilkinsons and Netto! Orkney have a Lidl supermarket, but a bit too far to travel! I'll google and see what I get (should be safe enough!)

[Alice]

Poundland have multi packs of seeds for mixed veg (brassicas) and toms & cukes. Too late when I saw them or I would have given them a try.
I got seeds from Alan Roman for 50p and they've been fine. It's online. Not a big selection but good price.