weighing up the cost

I've never done that kind of cross referencing but what I think you get from the catalogues (or online) is greater choice, as most garden centres only stock a small range. An exception to that would be the Kings catalogue we get through the allotment association. Interesting research though. Might note a few varieties next time I'm out and compare.

I'm an internet shopper. I scout around to see what I want, then scout around again to get the cheapest prices. Sometimes that means going to lots of different places, which means lots of postal charges. Depending on what the purchase is I'll swallow that, but other times I consolidate purchases with the "next cheapest" to get an overall saving. I will occasionally go to a garden centre too, but most of my buying is done online where I can review the ins and outs of what I'm considering getting before clicking "checkout". Saves the disappointment of driving round a few garden centres to find none of them have what you're looking for which has happened to me a few times

I think if your looking for the basics theres so many options these days from local garden centres to Wilkinsons, Aldi, poundshops, supermarkets. It seems like a lot of businesses have twigged onto the popularity of grow your own in the last few years.

Personally I do weigh up costs and pick up bits from all over and check between different internet sites if I'm looking for something in particular but as WendyC pointed out if your looking for something specific or unusual choices can be limited.

I agree with Wendy, but I noticed this year that many of the catalogues and on line lists have reduced their varieties. I used to buy names that my dad grew years ago but many of these have become unavailalbe over the years. This year I have decided to just go for what I can get locally and save the time and postage. And also support local businesses who have struggled on through hard times.

I buy all the vegetable seeds that I can (assuming they haven't run out of varieties I want) in the 50p-a-packet sale at my local Garden Centre Group garden centre (formerly Wyevales). They've held that sale for the last 3 years, at least, around about the first week of September. The seeds are obviously "last years" by the following spring, but there are only a couple of things that don't germinate well at that age - e.g. Parsnips.

After that I look at Moles Seeds. They sell larger packets, which work out at a good price, so if the seed will keep for 2 seasons or more, or I can share with a neighbour, that works out OK.

That's a good point Highlander, I like going to local garden centre as its family run, the people who run it are lovely and always happy to give advice. When buying plants I like to see what I'm getting and I have a slight obsession with touching things and getting the one that 'feels right' :s

Personally seeds are a mix of online and in person buying but I don't like paying much for postage. As a bit of a novice I don't tend to be too fussy about varieties but I'm sure a lot of people have their tried and tested favourites.

I was in my local garden centre the other day, they are a very nice bunch of staff and keep a good range of plants. I counted 8 members of staff and 3 customers. It occured to me what a tremendous cost in wages they must have to retain all those people through the winter months. Ok come march you wont be able to park near the place. But I never object to their prices because they are very convienient. Now it appears on seeds they are competative too so all the more reason to visit. I do buy stuff off the internet but it isnt always hassle free, Waiting in for deliver, the cost of postage on small items, the difficuly in returning unwanted or faulty goods etc. If we don't support these local firms they wont be there to suppot in future.

Part of the joy of growing your own is that you can have whatever variety you want - many/most don't appear in Greengrocers let alone Supermarkets

However, not sure how you would find varieties that suit you best? Taste is subjective, and your soil, climate and growing conditions may well play a part in the final flavour - particularly with a crop like spuds. I reckon all you can do is to grow a coupleof varieties each season, grow the one you like next season and A.N.Other as an experiement, and adopt that if it turns out to be better than the one you previously liked. Expensive on seed though ...

I have a little book (on the computer ) where I record whether we liked them, or not, and whether to try them again another year.

Size may be relevant too - Mini Cucumbers maybe? And a Butternut Squash can be pretty large for a family of two!

Personally I avoid all the gimmicks that are New This Year ... I've rarely found them as good as the hype. Coloured vegetables likewise. We have some Yellow raspberries, they taste good (just like Real Raspberries!!) but I can't get the kids to eat them 'coz they are the wrong colour ... I'd probably have the same problem with ball-shaped carrots ...

I grew 10 different varieties of Tomatoes in my greenhouse last year. All the ones that my mates have been telling me, for years, that they can't live without. I must be a heathen, but I won't be growing any of them this year. But I'm glad that I made the experiment. Some varieties took forever to ripen the first truss ... waste of precious growing space to my mind Massive beefsteak fruits - too big for my lunchtime sandwich and hard to get evenly ripe all over, so not going to bother with that one. And so on. Gardeners Delight, Shirley and Sungold will do me

I guess I'm just easily pleased and if it grows and tastes good I'm happy

I do grow some things you cant get hold of like asparagus peas and purple carrots and this year Ive ordered some Chilean guavas but I tend to just go by description, ie if I want to grow a cucumber outside if the packet describes it as an outdoor cucumber and the price is reasonable I'll give it a try.
I probably should be a bit more organised and note varieties but I grow more because I enjoy and its lovely to have fresh food than to be as productive as I possibly could be.

I was showing my son yellow raspberries in a catalogue and he was totally unimpressed, apparently they grow them at school...and I thought kids thought potatoes grew on trees these days...

Maybe I'll adopt your notekeeping but probably not, I quite like just planting it and seeing each to their own

Sounds good to me

However ... I grew tomatoes like Moneymaker and Ailsa Craig the first few years I grew-my-own. Personally I don't, now, think they have much flavour - so having tried other varieties I have found ones that I & my family prefer. Time enough though

If you can be bothered, and have the time, I'd urge you to do so. Day sown, transplanted (if relevant), first and last harvest dates, and qty of plants grown. Columns for Variety and "Notes". That will also tell you how many plants you had last year, and when the ground was occupied - so if you want to grow a follow-on crop this year you'll be able to look back to see "when" the ground will come free.

And if your notes say "Need more/less next year" or "Avoid/Loved this variety" you can act accordingly

Good advice, thanks Kristen.

I think I've got my seeds for the year (more will sneak in we all know its an addiction) so now would probably be a good time to note varieties and suppliers so I can fill in taste/productivity later in the year.

ps personally I don't like tomatoes at all but grow them because my son loves them. Strange where we get our tastes from.

The cost of seed potatoes on the internet is ridiculous. The secretary of our allotment site takes potatoes orders from everyone and orders them in for us. We paid 85p per kilo this year. We got on average 15 potatoes per kilo.

We don't have an allotment shop. I try and grow things that are expensive/not available to buy, or that I just love. For some of those seeds, shopping on the internet is essential. My local garden centres are good, and if it were fruit trees, trad veg, compost/manure and other heavy goodies, then I go there.

But I find they just don't stock the more unusual varieties I want to buy. Bajillions of standard veg ie 6 different types of butternut squash or traditional pumpkin, none of the vast amount of other squashes. I've worked out a list of seed sites I like, plus there's the v good seed swap on here.

Bill - that's a good point actually. If you have a good garden centre nearby, the experience of going can make your day a happier one! Pottering round, finding stuff you've never seen before, having a coffee.... Bliss There's one near you on the road leading from Kings Ash down towards Brixham - the name escapes me for the moment, but they are lovely in there and even sell lions poo from Paignton zoo!