Not so cheap seeds

Margo · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject: Not so cheap seeds

I saw that Aldi were selling seeds so went and bought quite a few mixed flowers and veg for 79cents ( 65p in UK)
So blooming annoyed that my daughter in UK can go to her Aldi and get exactly the same as me but her Aldi are charging 39p. How can they charge such a difference. Thats nearly double.

dormouse · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject:

Yeah, Rip Off Ireland is alive and well.
Out of interest, did they have a good spread of veg seeds? Any varieties you can remember?
Thanks

Margo · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:26 am Post subject:

veg carrots, runner beans,spring onions,leeks,cress, radish
flowers Cornflowers, Marigolds, Morning Glory, Sweet Peas, Cosmos,

I know what you mean by rip off. Before Christmas Same catalogue, same dress in UK £35 but in Ireland €95. How can they merit it, just sheer extortion.

dormouse · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot Margo. I'll be popping up for look. I guess they are still far cheaper than most other brands.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject:

its a buyers market you dont have to buy. Look at the market in in Britian or on the continent for seeds Milllions of customers, theres only 4 million here and a very small market.at that.
Seed has to be transported, collected, stored, verified etc etc. You could save money if you took the time to collect your own, If its only a hobby enjoy it if your growing for sale then buy in larger quantities from the seed merchants. Next time your on holidays buy there.
You should read the book the €64 tomatoe.

michael brenock · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:48 pm Post subject:

the price of seeds is appalling here in Ireland. I am old enough to remember when a packet cost one old penny. Gardeners should share seed packets and or plants . Form a garden group and allocate the propagation to one or more members or divide packets between members. Observe the grow by date on packet and use the leftovers the next year. Store seed in a cool dry place (screw-top glass jar is ideal). Save your own seed from non F1 hybrid crops. I amm not fully convinced that seeds are organic but I will admit that some varieties grow better under organic conditions.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Margo · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject:

Thats what I thought when I went into Aldi and saw those seeds for 79 cents. I went round Tesco after and some of their seeds were over €3 a packet, so I dread to think how much they are in a garden centre.
I'm in UK next week and I shall go to good old Wilkinson. Their own brand of a large packet of runner beans is 49p. They also do buy 2 packets and get the 3rd free.

Greengage · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:48 pm Post subject:

Check out the other thread choosing seed from seed catalogues,
The chap Klaus has some interesting ideas, also check out his seed list on the GIY forum, the site will be down for a few days soon as they reinvent it or some techy thing..........
I also saw Micheal Breanock (Think i spelled his name wrong ) book in easons recently he is regular contributor here.
Sorry about you name micheal but cant go back on site to check technical prob here.

Greengage · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:50 pm Post subject:

Check out the other thread choosing seed from seed catalogues,
The chap Klaus has some interesting ideas, also check out his seed list on the GIY forum, the site will be down for a few days soon as they reinvent it or some techy thing..........
I also saw Michael Brenock book in Easons recently he is regular contributor here.Good info sound advice

ian · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Margo, did you ever go in to Aldi and ask the manager why their merchandise is so much more expensive here than over there ?
anyone fancy starting a seed/propagation club? personally i'd love to be involved somehow but do not have a greenhouse

Regards, Ian.

dormouse · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject:

Count me in. I've bought some packets already and know I won't use most of them by their end of date. I mean who grows 500 cape gooseberry plants? Smile

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:13 pm Post subject:

greengage Many people get my name wrong and I have been called worse. In planning seed purchase it is worthwhile remembering that seeds like lettuce that have to be sown at regular intervals is worthwhile having a full packet but who would use a full packet of tomatoes or cucumbers or courgettes. Saving your own seed is not too difficult . Try easy types first like cabbage, lettuce peas and beans but not fro F1 hybrids.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Margo · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject:

I was telling my friend in UK about the cheap seeds. I said I can't understand why they are double the price in UK. In UK they were 39p and here they are 72 cents. She said well they are 20 cents in France because I bought a load while I was there.

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:28 am Post subject:

there's a well established allotment culture in the UK, and with a population density four times what ireland's is, there are economies of scale available to them which are probably not available here.

cuemaster · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:12 am Post subject:

you could join a GIY group in your area, they do a bulk seed order for all the groups in the country, hence cheaper seeds, look them up on www.giyireland.ie