Which companies are the best vegetable seeds suppliers?

As the title says ......... :-)

So, good quality seeds that, given the correct growing conditions, all produce high quality plants.

 

I've used both Kings and Marshalls over the years for the bulk of the seeds each year and then top up from a number of other suppliers I've used previously.
Who do you normally use and why do you want a change?
Remember every different firm you use is another p&p charge

 

Not found any problems with most vegetable seeds, I often buy from garden centres, often Suttons or Fothergills or even T&M if its something I really want, but a bit sceptical about them.
Unless you want something special you can buy most in one visit to a garden centre, if you make a list first, no postage and packing either.

I only use online for things that you want that are special.

 

As discussed on other threads, one issue is that so many seeds all come from the same source no matter the name on the packet. T&M seem to own a lot of brands as do Suttons., not that there's anything wrong with them. A lot of Allotment people use Kings seed but mainly because the do discounts to Allotment associations. I've used Marshalls for years but I think they were bought by another group and there's less and less seed in a pack and the germination can be a bit iffy sometimes. Franchii seeds are good value, loads in a pack germination good, but can be a bit of a basic range. Other Gills are good too.
I agree go to a good GC where they stock several brands and try them.

 

You will also find that a number of companies use the same large seed producers for a number of products, a lot of these are in Europe.
One of the reasons I use Kings is they produce a fair amount of their own seed still. Although when I first started they had 4 pages of an A4 catalogue of different lettuces.

 

I've used Premier Seeds Direct for 5-6 yrs now and found them well priced, good quality and wide selection.
They're packed in foil with just a basic label on the pack indicating the variety etc there are no growing instructions.

 

Thanks very much for all of the great advice.

 

It isn't possible for growing instructions which suit every location to be put on a tiny seed packet @TheMadHedger , so you have to take your own conditions/climate/altitude into consideration, regardless of what you grow and where you get the seed.
For example, you'd have to take a very different approach to growing anything if you'd lived in Essex, then moved to Sutherland!

As others have said, I've used Premier and Kings, and have had good products from them, and SimplySeed is also good. I also use various bog standard suppliers like Fothergills and Suttons, but it depends on what you grow too - some seed keeps for years and is fine, while others don't. A good small company is one called MoreVeg. Very pleasant to deal with, and small amounts available, so you can experiment.

 

What ever seeds you buy check the quantity in the packets this can vary a lot eg free chilli seeds with my magazine last year had loads while a bought packet had 6 seeds in it.

 

Another satisfied customer for Premier Seeds Direct here.

 

Well, I have ordered from realseeds.co.uk for the last 8 seasons, received good prompt and polite service, without any problems of availability, germination, and no failures other than my own. Also use lidl for economy, of beans,peas,curcubits mainly.
All my seeds are fresh each year, giving no concern of 'will they come ?'
I perhaps should explain that all my plot expenses are covered from on the gate sales of surplus plants .I grow too many ,pick the best and just unload the rest.
Works for me.

 

Yes Lidl are good too, but you have to buy them as soon as you see them, or the display will be picked clean the next time you go in.

 

Chilterns' has everything anyone could ever dream of, but at a price. Wonderful heritage things and surprising things very well described.

However, their seed catalogue is such an entertainement to read it's worth the inevitable impulse spend on fun things

Premierseedsdirect is also my go-to for quality and price for the regulars.

The best ever was Wilko's though. Good selection, prices and quality, plus the social element of likeminded people spending a long time browsing the shelves, chatting and sharing experiences.

 

Anyone used plant world seeds? I stumbled upon them and they have a few things that are different to the norm, in terms of others wouldn't offer them for a reason, such as cultivar specific apples, raspberries, strawberries. I'm not wanting to buy but they seem like something a chinese ebay shop would falsely sell. They claim to be a long running reputable business, so I was just intrigued.

 

I miss Wilko too. Especially this time of year when they sold off all the seed packets for about 5p each!