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Why is buying seeds & bulbs online so painful and where would you suggest shopping?

MikeOxgreenMikeOxgreen Posts: 812
in Problem solving
I'm a touch remote and don't have a decent garden centre so I try to buy online.
Everytime time I get even a small list together they're sold out of much of what I want!
It's like Tesco not understanding that people eat bacon so only getting 5 packets in.

I can't understand how these businesses manage to operate when half their shelves of seasonal products are empty.
I spent ages looking at Suttons, Thompson & Morgan and Simply seeds last night and gave up as they've all got 'Out of stock' over much of what I need (Veg to grow over Winter like certain onions, cauliflower etc)

I guess the answer is to either:
 Buy or pre-order months in advance.
Find somewhere else....

What do you do?
«13

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited September 2022
    The last couple of years I've wanted quite a lot of bulbs so I ordered from J Parkers wholesale site, no problems but I did it quite early.
    This year I only wanted a few dwarf daffs to put in pots so I picked some up from B&M. I might get more/other things later if I see them reduced anywhere. B&Q is often good for that when they start to want the space for winter seasonal tat.
    For seeds I've used Just Seed and Chiltern Seeds as well as Simply Seeds, but again stock is about timing. For common types of seed Wilko is as good as anywhere but they might have already sold off what's left of this year's stock.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2022
    Chilterns are my go to for seeds. 

    However planning is the key. 

    As for cauliflowers … it’s usual to sow maincrop varieties in the spring for planting out early summer and harvesting in the autumn. 

    Summer cauliflower varieties are usually sown indoors in late Jan/Feb, planted out mid spring and harvested in the summer. 

    If you’re looking for a winter-hardy variety these are in stock here … https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/cauliflower-walcheren-winter-pilgrim-spring/942TM 
    but  it’s too late to sow them now. 

    As for the variety, I’ve not grown them so can’t vouch for them. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Depending on where you are in the Pennines, it could be worth a look at the bulbs in Gordon Riggs garden centre in Todmorden.  They had an enormous range when I worked there (admittedly nearly 10 years ago now).  If you're after anything specific, I'd ring and ask if they have it.

    I now order my bulbs on line from Farmer Gracy, in late May or early June for delivery in September.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I buy most plants, seeds and bulbs on line and if I plan ahead don’t usually have a problem.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Premier Seeds Direct for me, (they have All Round Cauliflower seeds for autumn sowing)
      
     J. Parker for bulbs,  although they may have run out of some daffodils as September is planting time.  After that they’ll be practically giving them away,   As I never spend very much and am not that fussy,  I always wait and see what’s on sale offer a bit later.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    If you order early enough from Farmer Gracy they give you a discount.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 366
    edited September 2022
    As I know what I usually want to grow I tend to buy my seeds in advance over the course of the year when I see offers etc so I am not hunting for a certain seed at a certain time, I can just go to my box of seeds instead. I tend to buy seeds like my wife buys clothes. I find premier seeds direct excellent value for seeds, while not as big a choice as the big name suppliers they still offer a good choice at a great price. I also use DTBrown (part of Mr Fothergills i believe) as they send me a catalogue and have a wider choice but are dearer so I usually wait for their 99p offers (they do from time to time such as black friday week). For my Bulbs I have been using Farmer Gracy in Holland, and again they have various offers and I usually wait for the free postage one before I order.
    I do like buying seeds.

  • SherwoodArrowSherwoodArrow Posts: 284
    I like Marshalls (it was Marshall’s seeds). I’ve never had a problem with them.
    Nottinghamshire.
    Failure is always an option.

  • KayJKayJ Posts: 82
    Chilterns and Nicky's Nursery for seeds, J Parkers for bulbs.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I've always found Crocus good for bulbs.  They often have discounted offers, including 3 for 2 on bulb collections.  Their postage is reasonable and GW subscribers get a 10% discount.  The quality of the bulbs has always been excellent.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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