|
|
Post by Jardack on Aug 5, 2007 7:14:53 GMT
Following on from my disappointing trips to the GC this week I wondered where you all buy most of your plants/seeds. Local independant nursery Chain GC Online or something else I am missing! Jardack (who is feeling very nosy this morning  ) |
|
|
|
Post by farmersboy on Aug 5, 2007 7:54:34 GMT
Anything i want i get from my local nursey jardack, but i save my own seeds when i can.
John.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 5, 2007 9:08:22 GMT
Hi Jardack, I have had some of my plants for a very long time, though they have been split and propagated from over the years. but most of them came by mail-order from Blooms of Bressingham, when they had their wonderful catalogue.
Now, I go to the National Garden Scheme Plant Sales, a good source for unusual plants.
Roses, bare root, online.
Bulbs from Parkers (not plants)
Herbaceous from local garden centres.
But, I am now rather tied to the house, as I took in my parents to look after them, but I used to choose a specialist nursery, and make a day out of visiting it. Luckily, my neighbour does that, so she might bring me something back, or give me a bit of her plant or a cutting.
And, as you know, I'm an ardent seed grower, buying usually from Chiltern Seeds.
Don't be afraid of sending off for plants from recommended sites. I wouldn't have much of a garden otherwise.
AND you have the bonus of a parcel from the Postie ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2007 12:10:42 GMT
Hi Jardack ... I don't drive, and most GCs and nurseries are out of town, so generally grow things from seed (we have a great shop in the centre of Dublin which stocks all of T&M and a few smaller suppliers, and a huge variety of bulbs), bulbs and donated cuttings ... I also pick up the odd cheapo plant from Lidl. But would love to be able to go to nurseries ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by jean on Aug 5, 2007 15:01:10 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Jardack on Aug 5, 2007 20:41:24 GMT
Thanks everyone Interesting to see how many of you grow from seed, I will have to have another go this year and see how I get on! Jardack |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Aug 6, 2007 5:24:18 GMT
Hello, Jardack, sorry to hear you're feeling a bit disheartened (on another thread I know) but don't be - grow from seeds - it's the best feeling in the world! I use Chiltern's also but my favourite is www.suffolkherbs.com as they offer a brilliant selection of native plant seeds plus the cottage garden ones. Their miscellaneous section (books, herb creams, tools etc etc) is very tempting too. I don't like the way their online shop is laid out any more (they revamped it and it's not an improvement IMO) but their paper catalogue is a thing of beauty and full of little tips and snippets. Well worth sending for. I use our local independant garden centre , even though it's now selling too much "Stuff" but the plants are still OK but I also go to a young couple's nursery nearby which is much cheaper, prettier and more interesting. I think gardeners should support that sort of endeavour. Besides she is very good at donating stuff for my school garden club as it's her old school! |
|
|
|
Post by Shrubrose on Aug 6, 2007 9:04:20 GMT
I'm starting to grow perennials and annuals from seed as I like to really 'own' a plant. However, a bit intimidated by catalogues as I am overwhelmed by all on offer and end up not being able to decide what it is I want. I've started compiling lists of shrubs I want but as some of these will take years to grow to a decent size, I also buy from garden centres. As the choice seems pretty limited (opposite end of the scale) at the one that's nearest to me, I'm increasingly becoming 'underwhelmed'. So, will buy shrubs from a nursery in future I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2007 11:01:40 GMT
I always buy my plug plants and seeds from T&M and they haven't disappointed me yet. Most of my spur of the moment purchases though are made in Morrisons, or if I'm feeling a bit generous to myself I might go to the local Wyevale or a local grower as we have loads near us. Like shrubrose I'm also getting more and more into growing my own from seeds I collect which is probably the most satisfying thing about gardening.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 6, 2007 11:29:23 GMT
The trouble with Garden Centres, large chains or small, is that they order (generalising here) from a fairly small group of suppliers. So inevitably, most will stock the same plants. Also, there has been a sharp drop in custom for them in the way of plant sales, probably because of the drop in gardening programmes on TV. They cannot afford to stock unusual plants that the average person may not recognise, only to end up languishing on the bench. So it is the 'big show' they go for, plants grown unnaturally in artificial conditions, for example huge mophead Hydrangeas. Hebes smothered in flowers, roses with perfect blooms. Gradually. plant areas are being made smaller, to be replaced with gifts, clothing, food etc., I lost heart with the one I worked in. My boss was disparaging of people like myself, "People who wander around for an hour and buy one measly shrub" No,he wanted the customer looking for an instant garden, piling everything with a big flower on it into an overflowing trolley. Eventually, he stopped selling things like secateurs even, as they didn't sell fast enough. I was taken on a visit to the nursery which supplies most of the roses to the large chains . Conditions were state of the art, but totally artificial. The owner said that the roses would probably last only a couple of years in the garden, but "That is all people want" I'm ranting a bit, I know, I should be on the Whinge Thread, but DO support the smaller man, the local nursery, the family business, the small online person. They will give you a great deal more respect and a much better range. I'm sure my boss wasn't alone. He was a business man who recognised the upsurge in gardening some years ago, and saw profit. He didn't care about his plants, that is why he threw so many in the skip, just because they had finished flowering. He wouldn't sell them half price, as he was insured for wastage and this was more profitable. Amazingly, he won countless awards. But the judges could not have been plantspeople!  |
|
|
|
Post by snowowl on Aug 6, 2007 11:37:53 GMT
I have bought from QVC and they get there plants from T&M and have not been dissapointed .
Some mail order from Van Meuwen and Hayloft.Also good plants.
I have even bought from the newspaper with good result but they tend to go for well known growers.
I used to get plug plants from gardening direct Never again.
Also from differant GC as well.
But its usualy mail order for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shrubrose on Aug 6, 2007 11:44:57 GMT
hi wt, I guess what you've described explains lots about GCs (the franchises or chains anyway). On a walk we used to do many moons ago, we had to pass around the back of a well known GC. To our surprise and delight, we found lots of plants in their pots just tossed over the fence and on to an embankment. It was great fun, picking them up, inspecting and taking home what we thought would survive. I managed to plant a small garden this way. Anyway, word must have got round because there was less to find and the owners erected a huge metal spiky fence. Skips plainly visible on the other side of it but unreachable.
Point is, they could have sold these more cheaply but chose not to. I for one would not have minded picking up a bargain and with a little TLC enjoyed bringing something back from the brink. However, selling plants is a business and clearly it must be more profitable to let some things rot than let others have a bargain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2007 11:56:00 GMT
Eh. Calm down! Calm down!
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 6, 2007 13:36:46 GMT
Eh. Calm down! Calm down! Sorry drunkenone, Spending five years loving plants and working for a philistine affected my equilibrium somewhat.  ;D |
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Aug 6, 2007 17:25:09 GMT
It does really rile you when you see them dying in the garden centre. We had 11 trolleys worth sold off cheap because they hadn't been watered for 3 days.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 6, 2007 17:42:15 GMT
It does really rile you when you see them dying in the garden centre. We had 11 trolleys worth sold off cheap because they hadn't been watered for 3 days. My local B&Q is exactly the same. I have had some really good bargains from there, all needing intensive care, of course. Once again, the plants are a commodity and not a living thing. It is sad, I feel like offering to water every time I go in there  |
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Aug 6, 2007 18:07:03 GMT
I grow from seed, I've had some luffly stuff from GWD and AF members, and as I always have excess I tend to offer that to fellow members ;D
Growing from seed is my favourite part of gardening, particularly vegetable growing...from seed packet to plate in a matter of weeks is really satisfying!
oh, and I buy online from Chiltern seeds, Nicky's seeds, T&M, Suttons, D.T.Brown and various GCs.... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Jardack on Aug 6, 2007 19:26:14 GMT
After reading all your replies I am going to have to go for seeds now, can't wait till I can get seeds from my own garden I have bought some half dead plants from the local GC and managed to bring them back to life which was very satisfying and a great bargin to boot! Jardack |
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 6, 2007 19:27:39 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2007 13:46:56 GMT
WT, no wonder you felt disillusioned ... and Shrubrose, we could have done with a GC like that (throwing things out) when starting the garden ;D ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Weeterrier on Aug 8, 2007 18:22:45 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 20:37:27 GMT
Great lilies. I like to buy plants from open gardens we visit, all sorts of treasures come that way. We get the seeds from the R H S share out too, I work it with a friend & we share what we grow to save space.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jardack on Aug 8, 2007 20:39:01 GMT
wow they're really pretty I have bought a few things from Parkers and not had any problems with them, have a list of bulbs I want so will likely go there for them Jardack |
|
|
|
Post by JennyWrenn on Aug 10, 2007 6:34:15 GMT
My local Garden Centre resembles a furniture store now and the plants are just too expensive to buy so I tend to go to Nurserys
Although I save the free seed packets from Am Garden magazine - see Thread - "Godetia....anyone" in Garden Chat just to prove they are really good quality seeds
If any Lily Lovers can ID my Pink Lily in the Thread "Pink" would be grateful
jennywrenn
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggles on Aug 10, 2007 18:59:21 GMT
I collect my seed from my own plants such as Lobelia/Petunias/Marigold etc. I also take cuttings of Fuchsia and Geranium and any others that I want to grow again the following year--Cost Nothing!! (Except compost)
Any unusual Plants that I like I usually ask the owner if he/she could give me a cutting.
But I must confess that Acers and other types of plants which when I want to add to my collection and would take years to reach a reasonable specimen I visit a Nursery where the owners have had their 'place' for 15 years producing their own plants propagating/grafting/sowing seed for perennials etc. It is a Gem of a place to visit and they have the knowledge to pass on.
With this Nursery being in my area I know the plants will survive our weather conditions because they have been nurtured here and not in some foreign place! Also they make you feel very welcome too.
My Spring bulbs are kept from one year to the next but if I fancy buying something different it is Spaldings for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shrubrose on Aug 10, 2007 20:02:24 GMT
I visited my local nursery the other day and here's how it went..........
We spent a goodly time looking round for a couple of trees to plant for both our dads who, sadly, are no longer with us. N picked a copper beech and me a thuja. The owner happened upon us and smiled and started off a conversation about his mother.............who was a cripple and couldn't do anything other than look out the window (oh, 'she could cook and clean but that was all'). We smiled and nodded and he told us how every autumn, a neighbour would put her name down for a hamper as she was 'in need'. And every autumn this neighbour collected a hamper in the name of his mother and took it into his own house without ne'er a passing nod to nurseryman's mother. He laughed as he said this, no hard feelings, it all adding to the rich tapestry of life.
Being short on time, I asked him how I should care for the trees we had chosen and he told us. It was hard to get away, as he was so chatty. I have to say, I've never had this sort of encounter at my local garden centre.
|
|
|
|
Post by thecleaninglady on Aug 10, 2007 20:19:44 GMT
My friend and I love mooching around the local GC's, but only buy bargains - those plants that look half dead that we can bring back to life. We also do a lot from seed, cuttings, splitting and scrounging from other friends gardens. I give homes to unwanted, homeless plants and if I have too many myself, I either pass them on to others or put them aside for the local Church Fete. My friend and I run the plant stall at the Fete so have to get quite a few plants together for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggles on Aug 10, 2007 20:36:46 GMT
"Being short on time, I asked him how I should care for the trees we had chosen and he told us. It was hard to get away, as he was so chatty. I have to say, I've never had this sort of encounter at my local garden centre."
Now thats another advantage of the Local Nursery at least you do get friendly advice and chit-chat. GC seem to be more Formal--and often no-one around to give advice.
At Christmas time they are usually stocked with Father Christmas and Fairy Lights and a Grotto--and Christmas gifts which often are not garden related.
Maybe this should be on the Whinge thread!--
|
|
)
