I mostly use T&M. I used to buy from T&M a long time ago when they were the only company to offer a book-sized colour catalogue. I have used Chilterns Seeds, which is a small company who stock some of the more obscure varieties. Their catalogue has no pretty pictures in it, so is not very useful for browsing. And I have used a few others.
With many varieties of seeds, it's likely that the seeds are produced by a grower who specialises in that type of plant, and he distributes his seeds to many commercial seed suppliers worldwide. In such cases it doesn't matter a jot which company you buy the seeds from because they all originate from the same grower.
If you read the fine print on the back of a seed packet it may tell you the country of origin. It's often on the back, right at the top - the strip that you rip off to open the packet. I've just glanced at a few packets I have at hand - many are from Holland, some sweet peas and gazanias come from the USA, calendulas from Poland, astranta from Germany, foxgloves are from Holland, Spain and Portugal. And those packets of seed are all sold by T&M.
I don't think that very much flower seed actually comes from nurseries owned by seed companies in this country. I haven't inspected any packets of vegetable seeds and don't know where most of them come from. It might be interesting to find out.
Our allotments use T&M, but many members buy last years seed,T&M and Suttons for 50p at Wyevale. I find T&M to be very good, but also rate Marshalls seeds.
Lidl seeds also grow well, and are good value. Try not to buy seeds which have been on display in the very hot conditions you sometimes get in garden centres.
Franchi (seeds of Italy) have very good germination rates and generous amounts of seeds in the packets. T&M I only buy at the 50p seed sale, especially cucumbers where you often only get 4 seeds per packet!
I've recently seeded a mini-meadow from seed growers on Ebay, I have ordered from them before so I know they are reliable and if I am looking for something unusual I always look there first. My bulbs have come from Wilkinsons as well as garden centres.
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I mostly use T&M. I used to buy from T&M a long time ago when they were the only company to offer a book-sized colour catalogue. I have used Chilterns Seeds, which is a small company who stock some of the more obscure varieties. Their catalogue has no pretty pictures in it, so is not very useful for browsing. And I have used a few others.
With many varieties of seeds, it's likely that the seeds are produced by a grower who specialises in that type of plant, and he distributes his seeds to many commercial seed suppliers worldwide. In such cases it doesn't matter a jot which company you buy the seeds from because they all originate from the same grower.
If you read the fine print on the back of a seed packet it may tell you the country of origin. It's often on the back, right at the top - the strip that you rip off to open the packet. I've just glanced at a few packets I have at hand - many are from Holland, some sweet peas and gazanias come from the USA, calendulas from Poland, astranta from Germany, foxgloves are from Holland, Spain and Portugal. And those packets of seed are all sold by T&M.
I don't think that very much flower seed actually comes from nurseries owned by seed companies in this country. I haven't inspected any packets of vegetable seeds and don't know where most of them come from. It might be interesting to find out.
I stick with T&M for seeds I can't source here in Italy. Great range, prompt delivery, never any germination problems.
I used to pass a huge field of flowers on the way to school on the bus - there was a sign declaring 'Carters tested seeds' . Long gone now.
Our allotments use T&M, but many members buy last years seed,T&M and Suttons for 50p at Wyevale. I find T&M to be very good, but also rate Marshalls seeds.
Lidl seeds also grow well, and are good value. Try not to buy seeds which have been on display in the very hot conditions you sometimes get in garden centres.
Franchi (seeds of Italy) have very good germination rates and generous amounts of seeds in the packets. T&M I only buy at the 50p seed sale, especially cucumbers where you often only get 4 seeds per packet!
I find that T&M are expensive e.g. their Cobaea Scandens seeds are £1.82p for 9 seeds, but Fothergills, are 20 for £3.00p.
Marshalls' are cheaper too.
@jatnikapyar this is why we all get so excited when they have a 50p sale and they did have a half price sale earlier in the year.
Kings seed for veg. Mr fothergills for flowers.
I've recently seeded a mini-meadow from seed growers on Ebay, I have ordered from them before so I know they are reliable and if I am looking for something unusual I always look there first. My bulbs have come from Wilkinsons as well as garden centres.