Veg Seeds - Online...

loucroft

Buying plants on line you have kindly stopped me from doing.

However, on looking at some cucumber varieties for another section of the forum, I found this site and it sounds interesting.

What are your views, I know I'm saving money compared to the majority of seed packet prices at retailers, which in itself is cheaper than buying plants, but these do seem cheaper.

Thought I'd post it anyway, but not recommending it as would love your opinions on this kind of site...

https://www.seedfest.co.uk

alleycat`

I'll save everyone else the clicky:-

[SIZE=+1]Due to the State of the Economy, we have decided to close shop and will no longer be offering seeds, as of July 1st, 2010.[/SIZE]

It shut down 5 weeks ago..

ladylouise62

If you don't need large volumes of seeds (and to be honest, since a lot of seeds are best not kept for too long, this applies to most people), then moreveg. co.uk are useful - mostly 50p to 75p a pack (95p p&p if under £6 then free, so join up with friends), for instance Sprouts (how many plants do you need?) - 15 seeds for 50p.

Lotus-eater

Another vote for moreveg, the lady that runs it is lovely as well and there is no delay on receiving the seeds.
I use them when I only need a few seeds of something, much cheaper than running to a shop in the car.

loucroft

alleycat` wrote: »

I'll save everyone else the clicky:-

[SIZE=+1]Due to the State of the Economy, we have decided to close shop and will no longer be offering seeds, as of July 1st, 2010.[/SIZE]

It shut down 5 weeks ago..

Ah. thanks alleycat, I went in on a different landing page that didn't say the same thing. pants!

loucroft

ladylouise62 wrote: »

for instance Sprouts (how many plants do you need?)

Ha ha yes get your point!

Thanks for that info, will have a look at their things, thats good value, better than the bogof that the retailers are doing at the mo.

Davesnave

I like Real Seeds for veg. Interesting web site, even if you don't order.

The only thing I didn't like was their yellow mange-tout peas, not because they didn't grow, but because they weren't as tasty as the more finicky ones I'm growing now. If I'd liked them, it would have been pea heaven!

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/

Oh, and do remember that although their non-F1 seed can be saved, it may well cross with other varieties growing nearby. Tomatoes are an exception, as are a few other things they mention.

loucroft

Davesnave wrote: »

Oh, and do remember that although their non-F1 seed can be saved, it may well cross with other varieties growing nearby

Hello again davesnave

I know you'll be annoyed, but can you tell me what you mean about crossing with other v's please? I am a newbie after all, in need of help

after a glass its hard to get on with any work so here I am talking veggies!

Davesnave

loucroft wrote: »

Hello again davesnave

I know you'll be annoyed, but can you tell me what you mean about crossing with other v's please? I am a newbie after all, in need of help

after a glass its hard to get on with any work so here I am talking veggies!

I'm not annoyed - always willing to talk plants.

F1 varieties are selectively bred from a particular cross, so if you save the seed it won't come 'true' and subsequent plants will show variations of size, habit, and in flowers, colour. Because F1 vegetables are so similar, they tend to crop all together, which is fine for commercial farmers, but not so good at home.

That's why I don't bother with F1 seed for most veg, but there are exceptions where some people think the superiority of F1 plants make them worthwhile. e.g. brassicas, like cabbage 'Hispi.'

If seeds are not F1 hybrids, the plants they produce will still be distinctive if their parent plant hasn't crossed with another variety. The trouble is, a neighbour may be growing something different, so if you save seeds from your single variety, they may have been pollinated by your neighbours' plants. The result will be variable seedlings. This may, or may not matter to you. It will certainly matter if you are trying to save sweet pepper seed and they've crossed with a jalapeno chilli!

Luckily, my neighbours are vegetable virgins and there's no one close growing cucumbers, which are one thing I'm saving seed from this year. As I've said, tomatoes rarely cross, so they are no problem. I expect my squashes will cross, but it might be fun to see what they produce.

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

The only thing I didn't like was their yellow mange-tout peas, not because they didn't grow, but because they weren't as tasty as the more finicky ones I'm growing now. If I'd liked them, it would have been pea heaven!

The golden sweet? I've just bought some of that seed for next year what tastes better then?

I've also got some Champion of England pea, can't wait to try that one, I've been waiting for years to get it.

Davesnave

Lotus-eater wrote: »

The golden sweet? I've just bought some of that seed for next year what tastes better then?

I've also got some Champion of England pea, can't wait to try that one, I've been waiting for years to get it.

Yup, they're very prolific and quite nice raw, but I don't find them so appealing stir-fried.

I think my new ones are called 'Delikett,' but don't quote me on that because there are a couple with similar names!

Edit: I quite like the sound of their 'Bijou' Giant Sugar Pea. Might give that a whirl. Your 10' pea might be a tad high for this fairly windy site!