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French/European seed sites

NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 788
in Fruit & veg
What are your recommendations for online seed sellers for delivery to France - can be in French, English, Dutch or German? I was looking at Baumaux but for some reason looked at their Facebook page and the comments are dreadful! They are old though, and may or may not be representative. If you've used Baumaux in the last year or so, were they ok?

Ideally I'd like one site that does a good selection of both veg and flowers, with plenty of unusual ones. Baumaux ticks the boxes but I'm now wary of their reliability.

Thanks!

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I've used Baumaux and they've been fine.

    These people are fairly local to me and are good - https://laboiteagraines.com/ but they had a fire not so long ago and lost nearly all their stock.   I don't know if they're up and running again yet.

    We had a whole discussion a while ago on post Brexit seed supplies so have a look thru here and see what else takes your fancy - https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1048376/uk-seeds-to-europe-and-northern-ireland-reminder#latest
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I've bought seeds from Fabre Graines. Their catalogue has a good choice. It was a few years ago though. I was happy with them but I haven't bought plants from them
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I've bought seeds on and off for years from Baumauxn no problems until this year with the tomato seeds which didn't germinate, but that seems to have been quite widespread everywhere this spring. My neighbour's tomato seeds didn't germinate either and she doesn't use them. Otherwise all other veggies are fine.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There's odd @floralies.  I had no tomatoes from seed last year but have done well this year using old stock.  Didn't buy any new tomato seeds or chilli seeds.   

    I did, however, get my hands on some professional seed compost this year and the difference between that and the crap that was available in my usual local store is astonishing - it's clearly been sieved and has perlite mixed in.   


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Obelixx said:
    I did, however, get my hands on some professional seed compost this year and the difference between that and the crap that was available in my usual local store is astonishing - it's clearly been sieved and has perlite mixed in.  
    Which compost was that? where did you get it from? I'm interested, as I agree that what is sold as "compost" in GCs is mostly crap. >:)
  • NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 788
    Thanks, mes amis. Having spend a happy hour (well, not quite) trawling through the reviews on Trustpilot, it seems the main discontent with Baumaux is with seeds not germinating due to early sowing, etc. I think I'm happy to order from them (not quite yet!).

    I did have a look through that thread you mention, Obelixx, and at Fabre Graines but couldn't find what I was after - I like experimenting with unusual things as well as the tried and tested, which is what drew me to Baumaux. Their range is fabulous.

    Germination has been a bit hit and miss here, I think in large part due to the wilding fluctuating temperatures and bad forecasting. Just when you thought it was warmer and the forecast said above seasonal norms ahead, it went cold again. Can't blame the seeds (mostly Graines de Folie), more the fault of Météo France.
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    The compost has got worse in the last couple of years, even worse this year, professional seed compost sounds interesting @Obelixx.
  • war garden 572war garden 572 Posts: 664
    compost has gotten worse since they became peat free. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    @Papi Jo @floralies I got it thru a member of L'Asphodèle gardening club which covers the Vendée.  Some members have good contacts with nurserymen and women and suppliers and this chap and his wife organise an annual order of compost by the pallet.  I don't know who the supplier is but can ask.

    This is the first time I've ordered it as, in previous years, it has had peat content listed but not this year.    The order is placed in Jan/Feb and delivered late Feb so I could, if you're going to be in Angles at any time, order a bag or two for you next winter @Papi Jo but it's a bit too far for you @floralies.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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