03 Dec - Seeds - Taking Stock

It's that time of year to take stock of my seeds. I had a quick look last month and made up my list for the coming season (see post on 12 Nov). I was surprised how my packets had dwindled so I had a scout around the internet for a good deal. I had a look at the main seed suppliers (links to the right) and they were a little expensive so I decided to try a small supplier listed on ebay (after all, I want fresh food on the cheap!). They had virtually all the varieties I was looking for at reasonable prices with free postage for a bulk order. Ebay isn't always the best value for money these days but I've bought some really great seed and bare rooted fruit plants from there in the past and haven't been disappointed so far.

I find that some of major seed suppliers either put too few or too many seeds in a packet. How can you have too many you ask? Well, seed goes off and germination decreases with age and I can end up throwing it out because even on an allotment it's hard to use all of it. Something like lettuce and some brassicas will germinate okay after two years, even three though germination can be as little as fifty percent or less. Parsnip can be a real problem, it's slow to germinate anyway and though I've managed to get plants from seed two seasons old, it was hard going and it's recommended fresh parsnip seed is bought annually. The company I used this time put sensible amounts of seed in their little packets, except for their swede packet which apparently has 1500! What would I do with that many swedes?! I'm not a big fan of swede anyway but it works really well in our warming winter stews so I'm grateful for it when the frosts appear.

Well, my new packets have arrived now and, along with some seed from last year that should be okay, I'm almost fully stocked. I did have to shop around for my cucamelon seeds which I got from DT Browns - they also kindly sent me a packet of Mazur lettuce to try. The only thing I haven't bought yet are my onion sets and potatoes - they will be in the local shops after Christmas.