Our Allotment's Blog had recommended Tamar Organics as another good source of organic veg seeds, so I requested a catalogue. It's what I'd describe as "no frills" - no pictures, and very basic production values, but if that keeps the packet prices down, as it certainly seems to do, who cares?
They offer an excellent range of organic seeds, with a fair few varieties that I haven't seen elsewhere. And you can also order seeds online, which is always a bonus. I've just realised that I left a few things off my monster seed order (a large number of packets, not 2in peas, you understand) - jerusalem artichokes for one thing. So perhaps I'll have to try out Tamar with a supplemental order.
Of course the other source of cheap seeds is Wilkinson. Ok, so Wilko - as it's known around my way - it's not the coolest place in the world to shop, as Mildew (another allotment blogger I've just spotted) points out. It's the kind of place that specialises in making you feel utterly tacky and, well, cheap. But it was a lifesaver for me when I was doing a postgrad journalism course and had no money. And they do have an organic seed range. I remember buying some organic beetroot seed from Wilko a couple of years ago. The packet was cheap - sub £1 - and the results were no different than seeds from the most chi-chi of seed establishments. How do they do it? Heavens knows.
Do let me know if there are other seed companies you swear by for your annual organic seed selection ... I am sure I am still missing a few good ones.
Oooh, the Wilko organic seeds have yet to reach Wood Green, I shall keep an eye out for them. Actually, even with my reluctance to admit shopping there, Wilko's is great for cheap stuff. There's lots of equipment worth picking up too. My trowel is as sturdy as anything and has lasted for years and only cost a pound. Cheap seed trays and propagators too. I also noticed that they've just started to sell peat free soil which is nice. Ahem, sorry to go on, but I do like a bargain.
Thanks for the plug by the way, you're great!
Posted by: Mildew | January 12, 2006 at 02:07 PM
not organic... but Lidl (even more tacky than Wilko's) also sell cheap seeds - even cheaper than Wilko's.
Last year we got some unusual sunflower seeds for 29p a pack....the flowers were great and attracted goldfinches to the garden - they left the ordinary Suttons sunflowers untouched.
Lidl does do veg seeds as well as flower seeds, but not organic I'm afraid.
We also had night scented stock and cornflowers from Wilko's last year and these were both great.
Posted by: Annette | January 12, 2006 at 05:01 PM
Glad to see more organic seeds being offered. The gradening industry could use more of this.
Posted by: Francette | January 27, 2006 at 07:12 AM