Plug plant deals

Hi guys has anyone seen any plug plant deals this spring, had some great deals from here last spring from jersey plants but they dont seem to have any this year

 

Brookside nursery is excellent Lowrider69. A wide range of varieties, reasonably priced, good quality and you can choose your delivery date.
Any nurseries local to you? They are usually pretty cheap

 

I done well last year with jersey plants I bought 170 Pet Bolero 170 Ger Par 170 BL Jigsaw 170 Beg Sahara for £19.99 I was really pleased

 

I have also bought plugs from Jersey plants, mainly Begonia or Geraniums for several years and for growing on in a greenhouse, around £17 for 70 plugs is a good deal. I have had the odd issue with damage due to bad delivery care but have been quickly rectified so I still think they are a good choice.

 

its the best I have seen this spring it works out around 25p a plug plant

 

some nice plants on them links will have a proper look tomorrow, I want something to put behind my petunia that will grow slightly higher

 

Here they offer from 135 plugs for £11 to 1080 plugs for £45:
Extra Value Plug Plants Collection at Suttons Seeds

However, I think it is up to them what exactly you will get.

 

Hi Aldo. Please forgive me if I appear ramble on a bit, hopefully your question will be answered. Buying, supplying etc of plug plants is relatively a new thing. Late 1970's and 80's vast changes took place in the horticultural world. Many jobs went to the wall and suddenly guys were out there with a basic mower whatever posing as gardeners, even bricklayers suddenly became hard landscapers. For whatever reason horticulture was suddenly resurrected. At the same time the cost of heating etc hit the roof. The nursery industry clocked this and began a program of ultra-mas seed germination. For the average gardener, the cost of using a simple single tray propogator could result in a high bill. For the avid gardener, the cost at the garden center so often was too much. Here the industry grabbed the chance. Here enters the plug plant era. The sales gimmick.....170 plugs at £10.50 You will always get more than you pay for. Now for the reallity. You have been spared the fuel cost of the germination etc. I wonder just how many gardeners who buy in plugs really do gain at the end of the day. Damage via transit, damping off etc etc.
Yes Aldo. Most suppliers do actually provide an illustration of the various sizes of plugs. When lecturing etc. I found Suttons most helpfull in providing me gratis various amounts of seed. They have just introduced a new catalogue, well worth looking at.

 

Hi Mike, thanks, that was interesting to read.

Actually, it is not my question, in that I was replying to another member, who is looking for good deals on (presumably ornamental) plugs.

I see your point about the risks of ordering plugs, and this actually matches my experience with Sutton's.

To be honest, I never bought any ornamental plants from them.
I did buy quite a few vegetable plugs last year though.

If that helps any member considering buying from Sutton's Seeds, my general impression with Sutton's plugs and bare roots is:
1) They are generally good quality and healthy plants, and packed reasonably well
2) If despatched on non peak periods, they will most likely come in good shape and with no damage.
3) If despatched on busy peak periods (e.g May and June for most vegetables), there is a good chance some plants will come damaged, because they are probably understaffed to cope with that volume of deliveries, so they will rush packing
4) In case of problems, their customer care will provide advice and links to guidance.
5) However, in case of plants damaged in transit or not developing, they are not going to replace them for you. At least, that was my experience in a few occasions.
6) Reviews on their site should be taken with a pinch of salt. My impression is that they are genuine reviews which reflect the actual plants bought. However, I think they cull bad reviews. Any review I left which was not fully positive (e.g. good plants, but damaged in transfer or sent way late) never appeared on the site.

So, is it worth ordering plugs from them?
In my case, it is, because I exclusively order grafted vegetables plugs.
Because my garden is small, I have to replant tomatoes and courgettes in the same two beds, which is generally a bad idea due to the risk of verticillus and other overwintering pests and infections.
So, using grafted plants, along with ring culture, generous mulching and top soil removal, is worth the price and effort.

Anything else not requiring grafting I am trying to grow from seeds, but for some new bare roots strawberries.

However, this is really specific to me and my small garden. I do not plant any ornamental species.

If I needed hundreds ornamental plants, of course seeding would probably be cheaper, but perhaps plugs are faster to establish and save using dozens germinating trays?

 

I got my plugs from T&M last year. one pack came pretty damaged, lots of squished plugs. probably about 25% damaged. They were more than happy to send out a full new set at no extra cost to me.

 

I have used Brookside for the past 5 years, without a problem. All plants have been healthy undamaged and a good size. I would be reluctant to change following some of the horror stories I have read on here. Jersey plants were infamous in the posts, maybe all is well with them now.

 

Agree Brookside are very good.
However, with forethought many plugs can be propagated later in the summer to provide the cheapest poss plants for the following year.
I have done this with sunpatiens, felicias and others for past couple of years

 

I swear by Parkers for everything from bedding plugs all the way through to large plants.

 

Brookside Nurseries. I recall that is the home of Carol Gubler? A fuchsia specialist.