tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post3053265296524884815..comments2023-07-22T11:18:20.469+01:00Comments on A Woman of the Soil: The Frugal Veg Gardenelaine http://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-3668749203494331532013-05-09T20:33:45.873+01:002013-05-09T20:33:45.873+01:00You may make some money by selling surplus to a lo...You may make some money by selling surplus to a local grocer. One year I had some gorgeous volunteer dill that was far more than I needed. I called three local grocers. One wanted the dill. I sold a 12" diameter bunch about 4 feet tall for $36. That covers my garden needs for a long time as I buy cheap seeds and save seeds too. Last year I had a lesser amount of dill but sold it for $30. He wants more next year (which is now this year!) I'm in Canada so you can convert that # to your own currency. <br />Your starts look wonderful. We had a very late winter so just getting started here.lepidillanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-2620610260776311022013-04-04T20:48:06.921+01:002013-04-04T20:48:06.921+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deac & Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12360195945732593589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-56730057002778111532013-04-04T20:46:33.947+01:002013-04-04T20:46:33.947+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Deac & Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12360195945732593589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-1962970376953323872013-03-14T18:39:21.135+00:002013-03-14T18:39:21.135+00:00Being a bit of a cheapskate I do this with seeds a...Being a bit of a cheapskate I do this with seeds anyway - some last better than others - but it is always worth a go.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-33466391389584256262013-03-14T18:37:14.951+00:002013-03-14T18:37:14.951+00:00Sadly we don't have an Asian supermarket in ou...Sadly we don't have an Asian supermarket in our little market town.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-7155397990769558212013-03-14T09:33:27.519+00:002013-03-14T09:33:27.519+00:00It's interesting to see how many people here u...It's interesting to see how many people here use cheaper seeds. I bought some B&Q branded beetroot (Bolthardy) last year and they grew just fine.<br /><br />One cost-saving tip that I've learned recently is that the use-by date on seeds is usually wrong. Seeds, if kept in a dark and dry environment, will last years beyond what we're told. We have a print-out that we share around the seed swap event I help organise that basically tells you to not throw out your seeds...keep using them until they're gone. The germination rate might be affected over the years but some of them will grow.<br /><br />I also grow seeds direct in modules and have found that it's one of the easiest ways of growing many plants including beetroot, chard, peas, beans, and even lettuce. It also saves time in transplanting them from trays.<br /><br />Good luck with your cost saving adventure Elaine :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861108457109878599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-87820934234514938622013-03-14T09:26:42.694+00:002013-03-14T09:26:42.694+00:00Try your local asian supermarket Elaine. Though th...Try your local asian supermarket Elaine. Though the plants grown for seed opposed to leaf can be different?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861108457109878599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-17193802468772118572013-03-12T14:32:50.609+00:002013-03-12T14:32:50.609+00:00Hi Claire - thanks for stopping by and leaving a c...Hi Claire - thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment - it is hard not to be lured in by beautiful photos on seed packets and catalogues - don't worry it happens to us all at one time or another.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-34027208768741049822013-03-12T14:30:49.183+00:002013-03-12T14:30:49.183+00:00I had poor germination with some expensive seed la...I had poor germination with some expensive seed last year. Thanks for the Lidl tipelaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-17235771060788159362013-03-12T11:02:36.647+00:002013-03-12T11:02:36.647+00:00Hi Elaine, this is illuminating to a relatively ne...Hi Elaine, this is illuminating to a relatively new gardener like me. I have to say I have been sucked into the expensive brand thing, partly by being dazzled by the photos in the Sarah Raven catalogue and also by my dad who at age 79 says he will only ever buy a Thompson and Morgan seed and nothing else. I will be open to experimenting with other brands from now on.<br /><br />I didn't realise about how variable compost is either. I have a David Austin rose potted in up B&Q peat free compost, if it was warmer I would scurry out and replant it right now!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16769705418477727909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-2467272366723514822013-03-11T14:48:27.946+00:002013-03-11T14:48:27.946+00:00I haven't had chance to get to Wilkos this yea...I haven't had chance to get to Wilkos this year yet but having bought quite a few of the seeds in the past I've always found them to be good value and quality, in fact some of the seeds from the so called expert garden supplier haven't been as good. Lidles have got a good range of cheap gardening products in stock at the moment, and Poundland are selling seed trays and also pots with bell cloche tops at the moment. Happy sowing. Rookohttp://rookosallotment.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-80545786169723236502013-03-09T07:57:37.807+00:002013-03-09T07:57:37.807+00:00I certainly know that feeling lolI certainly know that feeling lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-60939989958847508272013-03-08T22:34:42.837+00:002013-03-08T22:34:42.837+00:00Like you I use all sorts of things as seed trays b...Like you I use all sorts of things as seed trays but I am trying to cure myself of oversowing as a just in case measure.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-85290796811443471432013-03-08T22:32:58.964+00:002013-03-08T22:32:58.964+00:00I once used the same lettuce seed for eight years ...I once used the same lettuce seed for eight years before it ran out - but going past those stands full of seeds and brightly coloured packets seems to lure me in - a bit like being hynotised.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-47677659776340393182013-03-08T22:30:34.318+00:002013-03-08T22:30:34.318+00:00Gardening can become an expensive hobby if you let...Gardening can become an expensive hobby if you let is - I must have spent thousands over the years.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-44334783004119361792013-03-08T22:29:21.234+00:002013-03-08T22:29:21.234+00:00The first lot of wild flower seed I sowed last yea...The first lot of wild flower seed I sowed last year did nothing I think they rotted with all that rain so I re-sowed in the greenhouse and got a lovely selection.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-67198088881875942322013-03-08T22:27:58.591+00:002013-03-08T22:27:58.591+00:00Garden centres are getting so expensive that they ...Garden centres are getting so expensive that they are pricing themselves out of my range - shopping around may take a bit more time but usually saves money.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-7137683469901545362013-03-08T20:19:15.021+00:002013-03-08T20:19:15.021+00:00Compost buying is a total nightmare, and can be re...Compost buying is a total nightmare, and can be really expensive too. Not that paying more is any guarantee of success with germination. WHich? test compost every year and the peat free one I always used to buy is no loner a best buy at all, and they warn you off B&Q's peat free. I am hoping to combine my garden compost with leaf mold and grit to make my own from next year, though I will probably still buy some specialist seed sowing compost for perennials. So far as being frugal goes, I make plant labels from cutting up milk bottles, and use the bottoms as seed trays. We get milk in plastic 4 pinters so they are the right size for small numbers of seeds, which helps save on wastage, and I am trying to learn to sow more thinly... Janet/Plantaliscioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605580157193047780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-35356714778727663722013-03-08T19:02:46.825+00:002013-03-08T19:02:46.825+00:00I bought alot of my seeds in the Wilkinsons sale l...I bought alot of my seeds in the Wilkinsons sale last October and they are fine. The only seeds I buy just before I sow them are parsnips as they need to be seeds from the previous years crop to germinate.<br /><br />Wilkinsons seeds are great as they are cheap and germinate well, though a friend of mine has had two pumpkin seed packets that were definately not pumpkins....but it was fun watching them grow and trying to decide what they were lol.<br /><br />Most seeds last for ages. Last year I finished a pack of cabbage seeds that were 8 years old and they germinated fine (brassicca seeds last ages.<br /><br />You are right about compost not being what it was. Unfortunately (or fortunately, which ever way you look at it) they are reducing the peat content in the compost and therefore replacing it with other things like wood shaving etc, so the compost isn't so fine any more....but the plants still grow, it's just not so nice for us as it's harder to sow seeds in it.<br /><br />Forgot to say, if you save your own seeds, make sure you don't save them from 'F1' varieties as your new plants won't be 'true to type', which basically means you won't know what you will get at the end.<br /><br />Love your blog Elaine Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-44488230645356945112013-03-08T18:55:07.290+00:002013-03-08T18:55:07.290+00:00Very good post and certainly got us all thinking. ...Very good post and certainly got us all thinking. I've not bought too much veg seed this year as I've still got quite a lot left from the last couple of years and I really need to try and save some seed from beans and peas etc this year. I've had success with Wilkos seeds and you get a reasonable choice of varieties, but I do like to try and few different things each year but stick to some old favourites.<br />I do go through lots of compost too and it can get very expensive so was good to hear what other people do in the comments above.Annie_Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03140041665657746319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-51223159517297754762013-03-08T16:14:05.136+00:002013-03-08T16:14:05.136+00:00I have tried to be more sparing with seeds and com...I have tried to be more sparing with seeds and compost, it does all add up doesn't it. I buy cheap seeds as well and like you notice very little difference. Some of the prices are silly now, I spent a fortune on wild flower seeds recently so I really hop they do well.xxxxxsnowbirdhttp://www.gardensandwildlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-12805325489916530702013-03-08T11:34:12.968+00:002013-03-08T11:34:12.968+00:00Great post. It really pays to shop around. I usual...Great post. It really pays to shop around. I usually wait until things are on sale. I used to go to the local horticulture club plant sale every year and I still have lots of lovely plants that were very reasonably priced. Kellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263430746482725687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-48989372213787215732013-03-08T09:18:43.657+00:002013-03-08T09:18:43.657+00:00It isn't easy trying to be frugal in the garde...It isn't easy trying to be frugal in the garden when there is so much temptation out there - but I will resist!elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-4469210405216961702013-03-08T09:17:35.448+00:002013-03-08T09:17:35.448+00:00I try to remember to do successional sowing last y...I try to remember to do successional sowing last year it proved invaluable as some of the earlier crops didn't do very well. I also try to grow as many leafy greens as I can shame the slugs like them as much as I do.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912468918847715397.post-57865024440407024422013-03-08T09:14:37.655+00:002013-03-08T09:14:37.655+00:00I have never shopped at Tesco or Asda but maybe I ...I have never shopped at Tesco or Asda but maybe I will take a look later on and see what they have to offer. I usually get my plants from Homebase and check out the bargain shelves first, often neglected plants do okay after a bit of tlc.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.com