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Feb 2020
2:32pm, 1 Feb 2020
70,485 posts
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Hanneke
I had a totally shit time with brassica's last year while they are usually my triumph crop! A combination of birds, squirrels, voles and molluscs as well as wet and dry spells ate the wrong time. I am looking into using biodynamic methods this year anyone tried that or use it?
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Feb 2020
3:17pm, 1 Feb 2020
5,384 posts
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Fragile Do Not Bend
Saw some daffodils in a verge half open today.
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Feb 2020
5:17pm, 1 Feb 2020
19,154 posts
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Columba
Had some of the leaves from my kale plants with lunch today. They suffered dreadfully from caterpillars in the late summer, but those that survived have done quite a bit of growing through the winter.
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Feb 2020
6:16pm, 1 Feb 2020
1,565 posts
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Flatlander
I saw some daffodils as well this afternoon.
The aconites have just about finished, and the snowdrops are about to be take over :-).
I have no problem with Cabbage White Butterfly caterpillars because I use a mesh
(together with free range Oriental poppies, California poppies, feverfew, and White alyssum  )
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Feb 2020
6:55pm, 1 Feb 2020
19,156 posts
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Columba
That (the mesh) is what I plan to use this year, Flatlander. Last year was the first time I'd grown kale, so was a bit experimental.
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Feb 2020
7:02pm, 1 Feb 2020
1,566 posts
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Flatlander
I love my kale
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Feb 2020
12:22pm, 5 Feb 2020
191 posts
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MDrewett
What companies/shops/catalogues do people recommend for:
Dahlia tubers
Veg. seeds
Flower seeds
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Feb 2020
5:28pm, 5 Feb 2020
11,957 posts
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Cerrertonia
I use simplyseed.co.uk for veg seeds. Not a huge amount of choice in terms of fancy F1 varieties, but pretty cheap. I really like Chiltern Seeds for more unusual stuff - I'd happily pay for the catalog for the plant descriptions alone.
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Feb 2020
6:02pm, 5 Feb 2020
19,172 posts
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Columba
I have bought from Chiltern Seeds before, and yes, unusual is the word! I haven't looked at their catalogue for ages, but I think they even had mandrake seed in it many years ago; maybe still.
I belong to the Organic Gardening Association, and often buy seed from them. And have bought their English bluebell bulbs; since when, bluebells have spread enthusiastically under an apple tree.
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Feb 2020
6:27pm, 5 Feb 2020
70,488 posts
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Hanneke
I now have bluebell envy! I have tried planting bulbs in the green three times now and none of them have taken... I also have planted hundreds of snowdrops the last few years. Last year I had a good display, planted some more and this year hardly any of them have come up Apparently because we have had a dry summer. They then stay dormant for another year... I shall have to top things up with some new ones this year. With a bit of luck I shall have the most amazing display next year!
I have seeds I bought at a talk about seed saving at garden club the other day. From a professional seed saver. Some very interesting stuff. Must get them out and see what else I need to/want to buy. I am going to try the Real Seed Co this year. I have used D.T. Brown before now and find them excellent. Seed from Sarah Raven invariably performs poorly but the cheap Wilko basic range performs very well! Little gem lettuces, spinach, the stuff you can't sow enough of.
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