Kitchen Garden Forum

When I buy seeds from, say, Sarah Raven, does anybody know if they come from her company, grown and collected by her staff, or if she buys them from another company, packages them up and sells them on? I'm assuming that HDRA, Fothergills, Suttons, Marshalls, Thompson and Morgan etc and big seed companies like them produce their own seeds but I'm assuming smaller companies buy them and then put them in their pretty packaging and sell them on. Am I right in thinking this?

Hi BPP

I would hazard a guess that all seed companies buy in. Can you imagine any company growing thousands of varieties?

Alan

Maybe, it's odd though cos the impression given is that they're exclusive in some way to that seed supplier. any idea where they might get them all from?

I know a seed merchant who grows seeds for the big companies. So yes, they do buy it in but the seeds are grown especially for individual companies.

that's interesting, thanks. Don't suppose you might give me his details – you can email me privately at alex@theediblegardener.co.uk. The reason I'm asking is that one day I'd really like to sell seeds as part of my kitchen garden design consultancy and don't have the resources to save them myself.

Hi Sarahlee,
The Only seed house that do grow a lot of their own seed are Moles the commercial seed house.
JB.

I'm an RHS member and I've just had 20 packets of seeds from their gardens. I had to pay £10 post and admin and packaging but at 50p a packet for interesting herbaceous seeds, it's very good value. If you live in the South the RHS membership is incredible value for the gardens alone. Unfortunately Barnsdale is the only really near one to us but I can go there whenever I want for free.

Jane

I went to Anglesey Abbey (Nr Cambridge) the other week and also pulled in a visit to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens (about six miles away from the Abbey)...well worth the trip.. I shall go back again later in the year for an alternative view.

I'm a member of the RHS too and agree it's great value. The free seed scheme isn't exactly free anymore but you can get your hands on unusual seeds. There are lots of gardens you can visit for free and you get reduced entry to the shows, plus entry on RHS days when the crowds aren't as bad. AND I really enjoy the monthly magazine you get too. Great value for money.