The Hunt for a Bargain

Buying seeds for the new growing year is always exciting. What do you choose? What new thing are you going to try this year? How about those beans that you tried five years ago that were a total disaster? Or how about that crop you’ve wanted to try but haven’t because everyone said they were really hard to grow? With inflation rising, our yearly seed budget has been squeezed and I am always on the look out for good quality seeds at a more reasonable, affordable price.

In our annual tradition, I have left everything late and I was worried that it is now March and I have not done my usual combing of garden centres and shops for seeds. But for once, my tardiness has been beneficial! My husband and I wandered into B&Q today only to spy a discount seed packet box which contained hundreds of seed packets discounted to 50p!  Now the selection initially appeared limited. However,  in rummaging thoroughly, I discovered the majority of the usual varieties of crops we grow plus several new crops which for 50p seemed like a good investment!

By the time I had finished rummaging (this was determined by my husband aimlessly walking around the store several times), I had chosen 48 packets covering a wide range of herbs, root vegetables, legumes, tomatoes, aubergines and flowers. For the princely sum of £24 I walked out with almost everything we needed! This means we only have to get the seed potatoes and we should be all sorted. I do however, reserve the right to buy more if there is an exciting variety that catches my eye!

So tomorrow, we plan to head down to the allotment and sort through the seeds, get them started and say hello to our belligerent and numerous chickens. Here’s to a good growing season!