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Seeds of Italy in garden centres
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:40 pm
by Primrose
Have just been to my local garden centre and was delighted to see a new stand for the first time selling Seeds of Italy. Have never seen them for sale in this manner before, thinking they were an online supplier and wonder if they're available to purchase elsewhere in the country in garden centres.
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:40 pm
by Chantal
Our local garden centres supply them (and have done for years) as do Garden Organic at Ryton. However, I've never found anywhere with the full range of seeds that you get online.
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:50 pm
by Clive.
Hello,
On a trip out to Johnsons G'Centre in Boston, Lincs the weekend before last I came across a similar named stand of seeds..but these were a division of Thompson and Morgan.
Vita Sementi..."Taste of Italy".??
Seemed to be quite large packetfuls for ,I think, £1.69.??..I came home with white onions, red onions, cos lettuce, carrots and the beetroot from the range.
http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/ ... ta-sementi
The 2 sorts of onions are now up in seed pans in the propagator at work.
All the best,
Clive.
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:31 pm
by Compo
Yeah we got em here too, at Sanders Garden Centre, Burnham-on-Sea and Monckton Elm near Taunton. They are good value, high quality seed and more seeds for your money, combined with different varieties.
Highly Commended.
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:45 pm
by Monika
The RHS Garden at Harlow Carr, Harrogate, has been selling them for at least two years and a very good selection it is, too!
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:23 pm
by alan refail
Clive
Interesting post. I'm surprised Thomson & Morgan are selling Italian seeds in such big quantities at such a low price. I have bought Italian, French and Belgian/Dutch seeds for many years. I have been impressed by the quality and VALUE.
Isn't it about time we let our own seed merchants know that they are
not offering value for money to the home gardener? (ripping us off
)
Alan
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:52 pm
by oldherbaceous
Alan i've stopped some of the big companies ripping me off, by refusing to buy from them, i simply refuse to pay a fortune for a glossy packet.
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:58 pm
by alan refail
Exactly what I have done. Wish there were more following our example.
Alan
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:15 pm
by oldherbaceous
Actually Alan, i think more people are thinking like us, i think this is why the big companies are starting to drift more into plug plants, which i also think are a rip off from some companies.
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:54 pm
by Sue
I agree with you Alan & Herby - it pays to shop around. A lot of the big brands these days are all ultimately the same company. It's the same product in various degrees of posh packaging pitched at different customer bands. Suppliers with basic seed packets and lower marketing overheads offer far better value.
Seeds are a big earner for garden centres each spring. Seeds of Italy for example cost 79p wholesale for the £1.49 packets. Not a bad mark up for a stock item that requires no watering, weeding or deadheading.
The other big rip off is VAT. Garden centres usually have a blanket price policy of double cost + VAT (or sometimes even 235%) on plants. Any food plants (fruit trees, soft fruit, baby veg, herbs) are non-VAT so they get an extra 17.5% in the bank.
Sue