First time growing bedding plants from seed. Advice needed please.

swingaloo2

During the last few years I must have spent a fortune on bedding plants to put in tubs. I have just moved house and inherited a greenhouse never having had one before.
Ive decided to have a gow at doing my own this year and have been doing a lot of Googling! 
I need advice on 2 things please- Firstly can anyone recommend a good place to buy seeds from? Iv'e seen them in the supermarkets/Wilko etc but are those ok ar are they the equivilent of buying cheap in a 'you get what you pay for' kind of way. I also want to get some bulbs. Im happy to buy online but want to get a 'reputable' brand if it makes a difference.
Secondly- the previous owners have left 2 tubs in the greenhouse which have roses in them but they are very neglected. One s just like a tall single stalk with a rose hip left on top and the other is a small bush type that just looks 'dead'. Can I cut them down and hope they will recover or is it the wrong time of year to be doing this?
As you can tell I have a lot to learn. Thanks for reading.

Davesnave

Buying on line is usually cheapest, except for common varieties you may pick up in Wilko, Lidl etc. Those sources are all fine as there isn't necessarily a 'brand.' Some firms like Suttons might grow some of their own seeds, but there are probably hundreds of wholesale sources too.

On-line I like Nicky's Nursery and Special Plants, but there are plenty of others and I've rarely been disappointed with annuals. The more esoteric stuff needs careful choosing and timing.

swingaloo2

Thank you Davesnave, having a look at Nicky's Nursery now.

RAS

The roses would really benefit from being outside in the rain and cold. Cut them back to within 20cm of the base, but wait until they've had a few weeks to acclimatise to life outside.

Wilko and Lidl are fine for the limited range they offer, but remember that thing like lobelia are harder than you expect. Also half hardy plants in a greenhouse can be destroyed by a late frost, so stick to hardier ones in the earlier sowings.

Davesnave

That's a good point about starting too early. Seeds sown in February often don't make it if the weather turns, or they get leggy due to low light levels. Seeds sown later catch up, with the possible exception of long season plants, like peppers. There are always exceptions.

swingaloo2

Thank you both very much. So much to learn. I may end up looking for a gardener to come and get me started and get advice after Covid as I dont want to watse pounds and pounds and do it wrong!

comeandgo

swingaloo2 said:

Thank you both very much. So much to learn. I may end up looking for a gardener to come and get me started and get advice after Covid as I dont want to watse pounds and pounds and do it wrong!

We have a gardening club in the near village, maybe you have one in your area?  Try Facebook and see what comes up.

Farway

comeandgo said:

swingaloo2 said:

Thank you both very much. So much to learn. I may end up looking for a gardener to come and get me started and get advice after Covid as I dont want to watse pounds and pounds and do it wrong!

We have a gardening club in the near village, maybe you have one in your area?  Try Facebook and see what comes up.

Plus there's always here to ask anything you are unsure of