utopiaexperiment

2007 Seed Buy

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Seed shopping list Spring 2007

Apart from parsnips all seeds will germinate well enough for 2 to 4 years from purchase if stored well (cool, dark and dry), any excess bought now should be usable in 2008, so it's probably wise to have a few seeds too many than too few.

While I have a fair number of own saved seeds and we will be doing seed saving at TUE (else I will be most annoyed!) it takes 2 seasons to grow most vegetables to seed (and then they may be too late in year for sowing, so even 3 years full cycle) so we will have to purchase perhaps 50 packets of seed in each of 2007 and 2008.

If you have suggestions please give a link to it. Best we avoid F1 hybrids 'cos their saved seed is useless, sometimes seed merchants don't always state that seed is F1 hybrid (DTB is a case in point) so you have to guess from price - F1 more expensive - and knowledge of that variety.

Not done herbs yet, first need to document what's already planted at TUE (about 20 types but not enough of each) and what seeds I have.

Where known I quote the number of seeds / price, like: 1000 / £1.25

I indicate with * if seed is already bought or I would recommend buying.

If we only get the minimum I suggest then the total cost should be about £50, I've generally selected by variety and then by cost effectiveness (seeds / £) where known.

I indicate with # if I haven't yet found / looked for something we should maybe get.

Aubergine

Mighty iffy growing up there without a greenhouse, but we ought to give it a try, this one looks the best bet...

Aubergine De Barbentane 30 seed / £1.50 *

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/aubergines.html

Bean, Broad

Probably worth getting a couple more packets, I'd like 1 of each to compare

'Witkiem Manita' 65/£1.25 (£1.05 if 2 pkts) *

'Jubilee Hysor' 65/£1.65 (£1.45 if 2 pkts) *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/137_broad_beans.html

Bean, French dwarf

We have enough now I think

Bean, French dwarf 'Saxa' approx 100 / £0.59 Lidl (already bought) *

Bean, French climbing

Probably have enough (3 with the Lidl one below), but I would like a yellow one, I'd get either or both!

Lidl (already bought) Bean, French climbing 'Kneckarkonigin' approx 100 / £0.59 *

French bean Neckargold 60/£1.35

http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=1&typename=BEANS+%28FRENCH+CLIMBING%29&prod=496

Bean, climbing french, yellow 'Corono d'Oro' 60/£1.50 *

http://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/prod_details.asp?id=762&cat=4&sub=3

Beans / Peas for drying

We definitely need more (only have 1 borlotto type) and I haven't found much promising, I'm even considering commercial broad / fava beans for dried use, any suggestions considered and most welcome, I'd most like climbing beans 'cos they are more productive. Plan to try chick peas and will seek out a bag or two of italian / greek / turkish from a shop and try them, I'm not convinced by the 10g packet below but it's probably worth buying.

Dwarf bean "Cannellino" (for drying) £1.00 *

http://www.italianseedcompany.co.uk/beans%20peas.htm

Bean (Bush) Fagioli Nani 'Impero Bianco'; for dried cannelloni beans, 60g / £1.99

http://www.eseeds.com/c-6722-phaseolus-vulgaris-impero-bianco.aspx

Dwarf French Bean Yin Yang, enough for 6m row / 1.95

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=1030-3132&CTL_CAT_CODE=M28942

Bean, Black and white kidney, for drying, 25 / £2.65 ouch! (but we'll save our own for next year) * - if we can't find better

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_189124_The_Black__White_Kidney_Bean.htm#

Chick pea, 10g / £1.19 - 10g would only be 15 to 25 seeds is my guess, it might be a misprint! *?

http://www.eseeds.com/c-6383-cicer-arietinum.aspx

Bean, runner

Runner Bean 'Celebration' 30 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID=803&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=256

Beetroot

Need some maincrop, early and yellow varieties, often don't get too much seed so multiple packets possibly worthwhile.

Beetroot 'Detroit 2 Crimson Globe' 350/£0.79 (available at 2p) *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/51_beetroot.html

Beetroot 'Bolthardy' 250 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=71&P_ID=470

Beetroot 'Golden' 200/£1.10

http://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/prod_details.asp?id=20&cat=6&sub=44

Beetroot 'Golden' S M McCard £0.85 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Broccoli

Could do with more PSB (purple sprouting broccoli) 'Red Arrow' - a good early mid season variety (March-April), most definitely wish to try the summer PSB, and we need another autumn calabrese.

PSB 'Red Arrow' 100 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=73&P_ID=128

Broccoli Summer Purple Sprouting (Sept-Dec), 360 / £1.65 *

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_152796_Broccoli_Summer_Purple.htm

Calabrese, Waltham, 150 / £1.44 (Suffolk Herbs) *

http://www.eseeds.com/p-6723-brassica-oleracea-waltham.aspx

Brussels Sprout

Have a couple of mid and late season varieties (Evesham Special, Seven Hills, might still get adequate germination) but seed is a 2-3 years old and neither impressed. F1 hybrids dominate, it's hard to find good open pollenated varieties. Need an early-mid season and a late season variety.

Lidl (already bought) Brussels Sprouts 'Roodnerf' (Oct-Dec?) approx 150 /£0.29 *

Brussels Sprouts Bedford - Winterrvest Seeds (Dec-Feb), 200 / £1.35 *

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_153473_Brussels_Sprout_late_Bedford__Winter_Harvest.htm

'Sanda' Brussels Sprout (mid season) 1g (lots) / £1.40

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/cabbage.html

Cabbage

Currently have some 2 yo ( = year old) January King seed and some spring cabbage seed. Need summer / autumn varieties, 1 or 2 for winter, and possibly another for spring cabbage - which I tend to grow all year round.

Cabbage 'First Early Market 218' (spring cabbage) 350 seeds / £0.50 *

Cabbage 'Derby Day' (summer/autumn ballhead) 250 seeds / £0.50 *

Cabbage 'Greyhound' (summer/autumn leaf & pointy) 500 seeds / £0.50 (* if can't get from DTB for 2p)

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=75&strPageHistory=cat

Cabbage 'Greyhound' (summer/autumn leaf & pointy) 450/£0.75 (available at 2p)

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/56_cabbages.html

Savoy Best of All; Good solid heads for Autumn cutting £0.78 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds2.asp

Cabbage Christmas Drumhead S M McCard £0.75

Cabbage Greyhound S M McCard £0.70

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Carrot

Latest Lidl buys fill the critical gaps apart from Yellowstone which is a must buy (performance, reduced fly damage, subtly different flavour), I would buy the Alan Romans packet too cos: the seed will last 2+ years, interesting to compare, the price is amazing, it takes 2 seasons to save own seed.

Carrot, Yellowstone (maincrop), 1300 / £1.85 *

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_157696_Carrot_Yellowstone.htm

Carrot 'Early Nantes 2' 2500 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=76&P_ID=137

Lidl (already bought) Carrot 'Nantes 2' (early-ish, June on) approx 500 /£0.29 *

Lidl (already bought) Carrot 'Berlikumer 2' (maincrop, Sept on) approx 500 /£0.29 *

Carrot 'Amsterdam Forcing 2-Sweetheart' 1750/£0.85

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/1_early_crop_carrots.html

Carrot 'Autumn King 2' 2000/£0.85

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/2_maincrop_carrots.html

Cauliflower

I have some Snowball X already but it's done well so I got another packet (don't get much seed in them). All Year Round is worth getting at 2p or 50p, Galleon is by far the best I know for May cropping - the hardest month to supply veg, Walcheren Armado should be a month earlier.

Lidl (already bought) Cauliflower 'Snowball X' (summer-autumn cropping but can risk overwintering for spring maybe) approx 100 /£0.29 *

Cauliflower 'All Year Round' 250/£0.79 (* if buy enough other packets to get for 2p)

Cauliflower 'Walcheren Winter 3 Armado April' 90/£1.09 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/58_cauliflower.html

Cauliflower, Galleon, April-May cropping, 90 / 2.25 *

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_158292_Cauliflower_Galleon.htm

Cauli 'All Year Round' 350 seeds / £0.50 (* if not DTB at 2p)

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=77&strPageHistory=cat

Celeriac

Only have 1 variety, Monarch, so far, worth getting another.

Celeriac Giant Prague S M McCard £0.80 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Celeriac 'Brilliant' 200 Seeds/£1.45

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/60_celery_and_celeriac.html

Chard

Get a red or multicolour variety

Chard: 'Rhubarb Chard' (red) 300 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=220&strPageHistory=cat

Chicory

Need a forcing variety for use in the depths of winter

Chicory 'Witloof Zoom' 250 Seeds/£1.39 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/61_chicory_endive_and_radicchios_.html

Chinese cabbage #

Oops, I omitted to find one!

Courgette

I have a good supply already of several italian varieties that have done very well but only a few of the round type seed which are good for baking (stuffed if allowed to get a bit big), which one (may need to get from Realseeds to meet minimum £8 order)?

'Tondo di Piacenza' Courgette (round) 14 seed / £1.45

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/courgettes.html

Courgette "Tondo di Piacenza" (round) £1.00 *

http://www.italianseedcompany.co.uk/courgettes.htm

Courgette Tondo di Chiaro Nizza (round) S M McCard £0.85

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Cucumber (outdoor)

Have enough Marketmore I think. Shall we try a small yellow variety and / or another more normal variety?

Cucumber 'Bush Champion' 20/£1.49 *

Cucumber 'Crystal Apple' 40/£1.29

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/63_cucumber.html

Cucumber Crystal Lemon; Lemon-sized fruits, tangy flavour, for outdoor use S M McCard £0.85 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Kale

Essential up there in winter, with leeks the most reliable outdoor crops in cold. Have some Tuscan which does well for me and some Red Russian which was less productive, need 2 reliable cold hardy varieties.

Kale Pentland Brig; Sow in spring, cut the leafy shoots from February S M McCard £0.90 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Kale Cottagers Winter hardy, distinct flavour S M McCard £0.90 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Kale 'Pentland Brig' 200/£1.10

http://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/prod_details.asp?id=717&cat=24&sub=60

Kale Pentland Brig 150/£0.99

http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=1&typename=KALE+%28BORECOLE%29&prod=523

Kohl Rabi

I don't greatly like but others may.

Kohl Rabi Purple Delicacy Excellent flavour, tender flesh S M McCard £0.78 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds.asp

Leek

This will be an important vegetable especially in the December to April period (into May if lucky). Have Musselburgh (late) and some Carentan 2, need at least 2 other varieties: 1 early-mid, 1 late. I'd like to try the two Realseeds varieties and Bandit because it might crop later.

Leek Bandit 200/£1.25 crops March to May!!! *

http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=1&typename=LEEKS&prod=525

Leek Natan (January to April), 225 seeds / £1.72 (Suffolk Herbs)

http://www.eseeds.com/c-4087-allium-porrum-natan.aspx

'Bleu de Solaise' Blue Winter Leek (late) 400 seed / £1.45 *

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/stemcrops.html

'Monstrueux de Charentan' Green Leek (early-mid) 400 seed / £1.35 *

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/stemcrops.html

Leek 'Autumn 3 Rami' 300/£1.65

Leek 'Longbow' 300/£1.29

Leek 'Lyon 2 Prizetaker' 500/£1.35

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/67_leeks.html

Lettuce

Have a couple that could work protected in winter and are good for spring / early summer. Lobjoits Cos and a couple of italian (1 cos, 1 crisp leaf) for summer. Need an iceberg type.

Lettuce 'Sonette' (iceberg type) 500/£1.15 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/9_crisphead_and_looseleaf_lettuces.html

Lettuce, Romaine 'Freckles' (heat tolerant!), 1g / £1.41 *

http://www.eseeds.com/c-5653-lactuca-sativa-freckles-romaine.aspx

Marrow

Have none yet. Get 1 or 2 which aren't too big and will store well. Seems I've only listed 1 variety, anyone like to find and suggest another?

Marrow Long Green Bush; Large dark green, striped fruits £0.68

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds2.asp

Marrow Long Green Bush 25/£0.95 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/5_marrows.html

Marrow Long Green Bush 10/£0.99

http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=1&typename=MARROW&prod=531

Onion, maincrop

With the Lidl seeds (not much in packets, though) I've just got we should have enough, but I would like to try growing several varieties for sets for 2008 use so 1 or 2 of the others might be considered.

Lidl (already bought) Onion 'Roja de Niort' approx 300 /£0.29 *

Lidl (already bought) Onion 'Stuttgarter' approx 300 /£0.29 *

Lidl (already bought) Onion 'Vertus' approx 300 /£0.29 *

Onion 'Rijnsburger 5-Balstora' 550/£1.29 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/71_onion_seed_pickling_and_salad.html

Onion Red Brunswick; Blood red coloured bulbs £0.90 *

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds2.asp

Brown pickling onion, 350 seeds / £1.36 (Suttons)

http://www.eseeds.com/c-3621-allium-cepa-brown-pickling-sy-300.aspx

Onion, salad

Spring onion 'White Lisbon' 650 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=184&strPageHistory=cat

Parsnip

I have lots of saved seed for Lancer which produces early, small roots; we'll need a couple of maincrop varieties

Parsnip 'White Gem' 500 seeds / £0.50 *

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=90&strPageHistory=cat

Parsnip Tender and True; Uniform roots, excellent flavour £0.75

http://www.smmcard.com/vegetable_seeds2.asp

Parsnip 'Tender and True' 450/£0.79 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/70_parsnip.html

Pea

Have two earlies already, need 2 maincrop varieties, I prefer the tall ones (tend to crop longer, less likely to get eaten by pests). Need more Carouby mangetout (did very well for me, have pretty lilac flowers, most yummy), and Sugar Lord sugar snap pea which was by far the best of the 3 I've tried recently, Marshalls seem to be the only supplier of that variety.

Pea 'Telephone' (tall maincrop) 250 seed / £1.55 *

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/peas.html

Pea Alderman (tall maincrop) 350 / £1.49 (possibly others: Rondo? Karina?)

http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk/pages/catalogue.php?status=2&cat=1&typename=PEA+%28MAINCROP%29&prod=540

Pea 'Alderman' 125 Grams / £1.35

Mangetout Pea 'Carouby de Maussane' 125 Grams/£1.65 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/72_peas.html

Pea 'Alderman' enough for 6m row / £1.18 *

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=1030-3034&CTL_CAT_CODE=M27946

Pea 'Sugar Lord' enough for 6m row / £1.95 *

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=1030-3035&CTL_CAT_CODE=M27946&XPAGENO=2

Radicchio

Have a late (Feb-April) one. Possibly get another?

Radish

Have got about 500+ saved seeds (not to be relied on to breed true), with existing and Lidl buys that may be enough summer varieties but if people like radish we'll need a lot of seed. Worth getting a couple of winter varieties, too.

Lidl (already bought) Radish 'Saxa 2' approx 300 /£0.29 *

Lidl (already bought) Radish 'Riesenbutter' approx 300 /£0.29 *

Lidl (already bought) Radish 'De dix huit jours' (French Breakfast) approx 300 /£0.29 *

Radish 'Cherry Belle' 1000 seeds / £0.50

'French Breakfast 3' 1000 seeds / £0.50

http://www.alanromans.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=83&strPageHistory=cat

Summer Radish 'French Breakfast' 1000/£0.85

Summer Radish 'Pink Beauty' 500/£0.99

Winter Radish 'Black Spanish Round' 300/£1.19 *

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/acatalog/76_radish.html

Spinach

Need summer and perpetual, have some of 1 summer variety but it didn't impress, could be worth getting 2 summer varieties