the amount of seeds in a packet

barry island · March 2023

When I started allotmenting 10 years ago I remember being amazed at the number of seeds in some packets of seeds, there were so many that for my requirements I would never use all of them if I had sown them for many seasons yet to come. In particular I remember getting a free packet of Alicante tomato seeds which had enough seeds to last me three or four seasons. Lately I have noticed that seed companies seem to be cutting down on the number of seeds they put in their packets, I suppose that this makes sense in respect of economy and lack of wastage but I was disappointed yesterday to find a packet of Shirley tomato seeds costing over £4 to have only 10 seeds, now that would probably be enough for this season but the practise of buying packets of seeds to use for two or three seasons seems to be long gone.

Lyn · March 2023

You might like to look at Premier Seeds,, Either eBay or direct from their site.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOMATO-SHIRLEY-F1-15-FINEST-SEEDS/281183077372?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110013&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIMRXI&ao=1&asc=20210125103646&meid=308cb8c0e5f24fa1a5ae94b482be8b96&pid=101110&rk=2&rkt=24&sd=295285023765&itm=281183077372&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=SIMRVIMLRV5WebV1_0&_trksid=p2047675.c101110.m2109&amdata=cksum:281183077372308cb8c0e5f24fa1a5ae94b482be8b96%7Cenc:AQAHAAAA4Hu6A12tbgsOEr8tufGJ8pgFGnAEycjuPgltEYl3ZLV/QhEfE9z5UvzHLnju5+U3MD9JEZ/iqNPDNXhuojc3nlhugevWpK8Iu80Tm51Eol9HmS+kgLARzQQH++0eBh+3eKhuGU5ZddaobAkESKrGvQXUrGjZl1nVhJR0LH7XkNrCz3XgzQpVfEMCZyBTvPwN1d/7FJWqBV0AymW8OcIVdoURPph9JNFKvWhyfb54vdI642fzuyHxuQVdgfSlr7MrHsFuMQ6taG4SNITWwuQzL3OdL59C/gVlJGoXo4a5HxJm%7Campid:PL_CLK%7Cclp:2047675&epid=1356448232&pageci=ccb70b0b-f8a2-4458-a647-70cef852835e&redirect=mobile

Allotment Boy · March 2023

Franchi seeds still put plenty the pack, but they are mostly basic cultivars. I agree, some are extortionate, last year a pack of F1 blight resistant tomatoes had only 8 seeds in it, and cost £4.20.😱

AuntyRach · March 2023

I have noticed that over the last few years too @barry island.

I usually like to sow more than I will need (some won’t germinate/thrive and some don’t progress to be potted on) plus I double that again for spares (for later fails and give-aways). This means that 10 tomato seeds is too tight.

Prices have gone up too, along with everything else! Seeds used to be so economical but it’s almost worth costing up the £4 for the seeds plus £4-8 on compost versus yield now. Personally I love the challenge and pleasure of growing them but sowing and growing veg from seeds isn’t the low cost hobby it used to be.

Redwing · March 2023

Lyn said:

You might like to look at Premier Seeds,, Either eBay or direct from their site.

Another vote for Premier Seeds.

B3 · March 2023

I'm no tomato expert but I often get self seeders. Wouldn't it be worth saving a few seeds from your own or supermarket varieties?

Lyn · March 2023

You can B. But they may not look like the ones you bought, I did it with some little orange ones, half orange but mostly shade between, tasted nice though.

Tomato seeds are cheap if you look around and they will last for many years, if you want something specific it’s worth buying your chosen variety.
I used a packet of Roma from 1995 - 2015 and they all germinated.

B3 · March 2023

One of the nicest ones I had must've come from a supermarket. It was a sort of plummy lantern shape.

Pete.8 · March 2023

I save seed from some 2 of mine - Rosella and Rose de Berne.
So long as it's not an F1 variety they will come true.
Unfortunately Shirley is an F1 variety, but you can save seed from any heirloom variety.
I really like Shirley and bought seed from Premier Direct too this year.

Whiterot · March 2023

I agree but I don't see it as a problem as since the autumn most if not all ( except Premier seeds ) have had seed sales 79p or £1 a packet depending on the company. Admittedly you cannot be too choosey re : variety but there has been plenty to pick from. Except for certain seeds that I buy in bulk from a farm and smallholding supplier I have not paid full price on any of this seasons seeds and they are all F1 varieties.

Skandi · March 2023

The great thing about saving tomato seeds is that they rarely cross pollinate so you're pretty sure to get what you planted.

the amount of seeds in a packet

Posts