|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2006 21:01:32 GMT
Hi JL! I rather like Kings as I think I have mentioned and got their new rather flashy catelogue just recently! I order/buy from several sources but today I got the most amazing e-mail from AlanRomans.com - It was like he had drunk a gallon of whisky or was sending an e-mail for the 1st time ever. I'll post it tomorrow if I can remember coz it's bizarre, but informative! Still they have loads of "bog standard" veggie and flower seeds for 50p and tailor their packages to cope with the strange new postal charges. They also do 1kg bags of seed spuds for the smaller (I take this to be under 5' 3'') grower. I spent £12.00 plus 80p postage for 24 packs of seeds just this week. www.alanromans.com |
|
|
|
Post by Susie Snowdrop on Oct 25, 2006 21:10:46 GMT
Hi CC..... Don't you think you've planted enough seeds............  SS x |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Oct 26, 2006 6:17:26 GMT
Being 5'1" and a tiny bit, I'm thrilled to hear there is a special seed spud for me - how thoughtful is that? I must have a look at this catalogue as I'm interested in growing shorter brussels sprouts - I had a lot of bother trying to pick them last winter. I wonder if they cater for the wider, older, short gardener? I expect that's not a very viable market financially though. I live in hope. Maybe FATBAGS could fill the gap (it's large enough) by going into a co operative seed bank venture...
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2006 7:58:21 GMT
As promised the bizarre AlanRomans October Newsletter. And yes there really are NO paragraphs!
October Newsletter alanromans.com
Our news items are like buses – you wait and then they all come at once. Margaret has taken early retirement from her day job and is now full time with seeds. She has spent weeks sourcing and chasing up our restock and lots of new veg, herbs and flowers. We are particularly pleased to have Sungold tomatoes, Kohl Rabi, Coriander and the various Petunias because they are either in short supply or difficult to source within our price range. Talking of prices, we have decided to keep all seeds at 50p despite a small increase in our average seed cost. Our philosophy is to be as cheap as we can be by keeping packaging to a minimum (air tight foil), providing extensive information via the website and avoiding the expense of a printed catalogue. Basic lists are available for allotment societies, clubs etc – please email if required. The new postal charges and increased padded envelope costs have forced us to charge 80p p&p on every seed foil order. Since we are being charged for packet size now and PO weight bands are a little more helpful we have taken the plunge and are at last offering two peas, one broad bean, three runner beans and a French bean (yes at 50p!). These are all carefully chosen and sent out in either a paper envelope or a plain plastic bag with a simple, basic label. We have also ordered Sturon onion sets for the Spring and will have these on site when we know price and postage details. We have the full range of potato microplants again this year. We have had several emails from customers expressing delight and surprise at how well these rare varieties have done planted late May/ June. Andy McQueen of the Three Countries Potato Group (Guinness World Record holders) received our full range and was astonished to harvest very many full sized tubers from the single stemmed plants ( he is an expert grower !). There is a small price increase but this is purely to cover the increased 1st class mail charge which is included in the price. Once again I am sure we are the cheapest. Since microplants are grown to order, your order must reach us by 28th February and will be dispatched at the end of May or beginning of June. We have had to make some very difficult decisions about ordinary seed potatoes this year. We have decided with great reluctance and despite limited space to part from our mail order dispatch partner and do everything ourselves in order to keep otherwise rising costs down and have direct control on how our tubers are sent to customers. We have found a way of keeping the dispatch cost of £6.60 the same, using a local carrier franchise branch and packing the tubers fresh for every order in a plastic bag and bubble wrap. We will send small orders in an outer sealed plastic bag next day delivery and orders over 5kg in recycled cardboard boxes on 2/3 day delivery. Not normal practice! They will require unpacking on receipt but will only be enveloped for 2 – 4 days and should arrive in very good condition. Wholesale seed potato prices are very high this year but we have already sourced some of the basics at a good price. The cheap (but strong) packaging we have sourced makes it convenient to send in 2.5 kg and 1kg lots rather than the 3kg and 1.5kg option of last year. Pro rata so far, we are much cheaper for the same high quality seed potatoes than last year. I am still working on the situation and adding varieties on as I source them. Seed potato dispatch will not commence until mid/late December (normal trade practice) and then continue weekly after New Year. Orders will be sent out as quickly as possible and will usually arrive on a Thursday or Friday. We will not quite match the efficiency of our seed foil only dispatches but we hope to get close! My 3rd Edition “Seed Potato Variety Guide” is on special offer on site at only 50p. The new 4th Edition, with handsome burgundy cover to match “The Potato Book” should be available by the end of November at £1.50. The difference? – about 20 varieties out of 150 have gone and about 20 new varieties have been added. George, our programmer, has been working hard and we now have a new look site, working faster than ever. We also have a new, old fashioned pay by cheque option and will very soon have a much easier card paying option. We will continue with Paypal, mainly to accommodate members, but for a few days non members will continue to use their non member card option. Have a fruitful Autumn, Alan
-----------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THIS EMAIL
-----------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to you because this email address is signed up to the Online seed sales @ AlanRomans.com Mailing List.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2006 8:34:24 GMT
Its like being hypnotised trying to read it  Death by the written scree P x |
|
|
|
Post by borderbabe on Oct 26, 2006 10:34:48 GMT
I order from Marshalls and Suttons mostly although I have a Kings Catalogue for the first time this year ans Chilterns as well. It'll be a case of decisions decisions!!
When does everyone do their orders - I like to sit quietly after Christmas once all the relatives have gone and treat myself to a couple of hours indulgence with a glass or several and some choccies!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2006 22:15:52 GMT
My 24 packets of 50p seeds arrived today (48hrs not bad eh?). They looked like they were packaged by Alan's Great Aunty Edith who had been drinking cider since very early in the morning. However, I just love the non-commercialisation of it - it is just "cheap". To paraphrase a Carlsberg advert - If Alan Romans did Christmas - It would most probably be cheap! We I aim to follow this mantra this December. BTW I also like Simpsons and Tuckers AND several more evil "seed pushers". Deep down I always hated the addiction of seeds, but they continue to grow on me.....  <andthatalsoanswerssusiesnowdrop'scommentsmiley> |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2006 13:34:47 GMT
hopelessly addicted  really pleased with Alan Romans 50p packs - arrived today new sources this year: Thomas Etty ... for turnip-rooted chervil Moles Seeds ... for pelleted onion seed (they sent a free year planner with the catalogue) The Italian Seed Company - £1/pack, free postage on £10 worth of seed - toms, squash, borlotti and the old favourites: Franchi Seeds of Italy Beans & Herbs OGC Best of all, seed swops! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2006 7:44:37 GMT
I've used the Italain Seed Company too, £1 a pack and you get loads of seed. I use paypal so I get my order within 2 days. Very good service. I got hold of some: San Marzano 2 Tomoatoes Cuir Di Bue Tomaotes (Ox-heart I think that transaltes to) Rossa Di Trento Lettuce Genovese Courgettes Brocoletto Quarantino Chicory Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkins. Thats all I've bought this year, went overboard last year (my first year) and got loads left. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2006 9:16:36 GMT
Kings here too, our allotment association put in a bulk order using the NSALG scheme. Excellent prices.
|
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Nov 2, 2006 13:19:12 GMT
Interesting to note that the big ones Thompson and Morgan, Suttons etc. aren't mentioned.
T. and M. seeds always disappoint me.
I like Simpsons for their excellent range of Tomatoes and Peppers etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2006 17:40:30 GMT
another seed order arrived from roguelands.co.uk today get this - three seed varieties on the order they slung in four freebies - leek, pepper, tom and lettuce varieties not tried before. will be shopping there again! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2006 15:22:35 GMT
We are just starting a new garden group, for those of us who open our gardens in the summer,( it is an a fight back to prove we havenot all fled before the oncoming students.) We were considering joint seed ordering, would you recommend Romans, I didn't manage to read all the e-mail but we dont need lots of packaging, or is Kings better?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2006 19:27:46 GMT
If you're looking for big packs to divvy up, try Moles Seeds
otherwise Alan Roman's are excellent - perhaps print out instructions for newbies?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2006 15:04:37 GMT
Thanks, going on sites next
|
|
