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Buying small quantities of seeds

• Message 1. 

  Posted by marco (U13839504) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  Hi
  
  I only have a small growing area for veg at the moment. I am trying to increase this but until I do is there anywhere where I can buy small numbers of seeds? It seems that packets come with 100-250 seeds quite alot whereas I can only grow a couple of plants if I want variety. I do this in both containers and in the ground.
  
  Obviously I would run the risk of seeds not germinating but if I want courgette, aubergine,french beans, peas, toms, beetroot, carrot etc then I only need a few/dozen of each. Spending £2.50 and using 6 bean seeds seems a waste and unfortunaltely I have no neighbours that grow.
  
  Does anyone know of websites where buying small amounts is possible?
  
  Thanks
  Marco

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• Message 2

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  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  Have a look on-e-bay is my suggestion-I have found a supplier that charges one p&p no matter how many packets ordered.
  
  A lot of seeds are viable for more than one year so quantities are not always a problem if they are stored correctly.
  
  You have too look at it from the suppliers point of view the actual seed is only a percentage of the cost the packaging, distribution etc is also taken into account when pricing.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  I agree with not taking notice of the seed companies 'use by' dates. Stored in a cool, dark dry place I have used seeds two or three years out of date with no problem. You could also start saving your own seed - not possible for all veg I know.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by everhopeful (U11289037) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  I agree with not taking notice of the seed companies 'use by' dates. Stored in a cool, dark dry place I have used seeds two or three years out of date with no problem. You could also start saving your own seed - not possible for all veg I know.  cant u get together with someone else and share seeds. I saw an article for diamond jubilee sweet peas but didnt want to order 1 pack altho that was all I needed so I ordered 6 packs and will sell them to my garden grp members.
  I also share cuttings and planted up pots with other members and friends.My gardener often brings things he has sown and I give him som e of mine I suggest u look up garden grps at your library and take it from there. Good luck
  EH

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  Posted by daintiness (U3887838) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  Your local allotments would be a good place to look to share seeds or swap seeds; there is usually a gardener lurking among most groups, ask around the local area - the library, local school - it can be surprising where enquiries can lead...

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  Posted by igrowveg (U14468738) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  There's a seed supplier called MoreVeg.co.uk who sell small amounts of seeds, I have used them for the past year, cheap and no seeds go to waste.

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  Posted by grinling (U11581911) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  You could try freecycle/freegle or allotment.org has a swap page.

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• Message 8

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  Posted by As-If (U15116884) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  I understand what you mean by waste, but I think the only way round it is to share seeds with friends, or a group of other gardeners.
  Even if there was a website selling just a few seeds, you`d still have to add on the postage and packing, which would bump the price up.

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• Message 9

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  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  I'm in a similar situation, small area and so don't need lots of seeds.
  
  Moreveg sell in small quantities at reasonable prices, also simply seed and King seeds. Some online companies don't charge P & P depending when you buy, I purchased most of my seeds in Oct/Nov time, all the main seed companies may well be charging P & P now though.
  
  Some supermarket stores are selling cheap seeds at present, pound stretchers start at 49p per packet, Aldi and Lidl usually sell cheap seeds, Lidl's seeds have limited instructions on the packets as they are translated into several languages and so the GB section is usually only a couple of sentences long.
  
  You can also pick up some deals by purchasing in one lot for instance I purchased 5 different bean varieties on line to try for £3.95, it's a colour mix with 25 seeds of each variety, half to sow this year and half next year. You can also get veg packs like this and if you don't want all the seeds then you'll have spares to swap.
  
  It's also worth thinking ahead and considering saving you own seeds after this years harvest.

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• Message 10

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  Posted by ArtemisH (U14261033) on Friday, 9th March 2012

  I actually know that the nursery below charges one price for any number of seed packets mailed together.
  
  

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• Message 11

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  Posted by Violetscales (U10739184) on Saturday, 10th March 2012

  If you have a Poundland shop nearby they are selling a good choice of "variety" packs with several different types of seeds in the one pack. I think a lot of the "pound/99p" shops do this and I have been told that the seeds are good although I haven't personally used them as I like to grow more specialised varieties on my allotment.

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• Message 12

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  Posted by sparklepinksunflower (U10977805) on Monday, 12th March 2012

  Lidl have got seeds in at the mo starting at 29p per packet- you can't go wrong.
  
  I have used several seep swap sites before but I find that the postage can soon mount up as anything like sweet peas or beans end up having to go as a large letter - 75p first class- you save money by going to Lidl.
  
  
  
  Also google Seed Swaps in your area, I go to a couple in and around London
  
  
  

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• Message 13

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  Posted by sparklepinksunflower (U10977805) on Monday, 12th March 2012

  Also - i don't think anyone has mentioned Freecycle
  A great place to get seeds ans if you have too many plants at the end you can always freecycle your spare plants
  
  

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• Message 14

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  Posted by marco (U13839504) on Monday, 12th March 2012

  Lots of interesting replies as always. I have joined freecycle but instead of giving away the seeds I have I thought I would try and grow them to seedling stage and then offer them out. Hopefully others will also do this as I may need a lot of little pots!!
  
  The aldi/lidl/99p shops sound like a great ldea. Thanks to all who have replied so far.

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