Lidl seeds in - smaller range and higher cost but still value

RAS

Went into my local branch and the seeds are in. Whilst the flower section has been fairly consistent over the last decade, since Brexit the vegetable seed options have declined annually.

And for the first time prices have "increased". Small packets are still 29p each but now 4 for £1 instead of 5, although the large packets are still 5 for £2. 

And the balance of packet sizes has changed. You really need to check which of the larger, identically sized, packets are labelled 3, and which are 4 which is "special or tapes" at £1.49 or 2 for £2.49, as they are mixed up on the rack.

The range of small packets has drastically reduced, although I never wanted 5 varieties of radish. Only 2 lettuce, no tomatoes, 3 cucumbers and carrots, a melon, round courgette and a pumpkin, spinach plus a couple of onions. Lucellus chard is very hardy and stays tender,a decent summer broccoli and there are some herbs.

EDIT, the broccoli is a 49p packet. The 29p packs also include a leek, beetroot and a cauliflower, which was hiding under carrots yesterday.

The big packs include a much smaller range of legumes; pea Kelvedon Wonder, and "Sugar" pea which looks like a mangetout, two climbing French beans, and 4 dwarf varieties, green and yellow. There's also an onion squash, Uchiki Kuri. All at 40p per pack with the bulk discount. No runner beans.

EDIT these 49p packs include the broccoli, mixed aubergine and yellow beetroot and more squash.

If you need flower seeds to grow in situ they've plenty at 4 for £1, as well some bi-annuals, and even carnations. Again, watch the packets, sometimes the same photo and name appears on the front a small 29p seed pack and a large expensive one.

 

twopenny

I notice our diy shop had seeds almost straight after Christmas.

One thing to check which I noticed when I was looking for seeds online - how many seeds in a pack.

Hopefully there's not too much difference but one pack on Ebay was 8 tomato seeds pp..........what!

fatbelly

No tomatoes, no runner beans? Maybe they're due later

Farway

twopenny said:

I notice our diy shop had seeds almost straight after Christmas.

One thing to check which I noticed when I was looking for seeds online - how many seeds in a pack.

Hopefully there's not too much difference but one pack on Ebay was 8 tomato seeds pp..........what!

Some commercial suppliers, like T & M etc only have 8 or so seeds PP, for over £4, but they are normally F1 hybrids, pollinated by fairies riding unicorns

Example, Sungold, £4.49 for 8 seeds

RAS

fatbelly said:

No tomatoes, no runner beans? Maybe they're due later

Double checked when I was in today, not even amongst the expensive packs. The last few years, seeds have not arrived until mid-March, so not sure about re-stocking. I might look in a bigger branch in another town when I visit later in the week, if I have time.

jaizan

No tomato seeds in my local Lidl when I visited a couple of days ago.

If I remember correctly, the Lidl seed display used to be 4 sided.    It's now 2 sided, so deliberately lower capacity.

Dustyevsky

I saw no tomatoes, but my local store had beans. The two-sided display was in the doorway, which wasn't ideal for browsing! I've been buying from 'proper' seed suppliers and didn't see anything to tempt me, other than some 29p nasturtiums.