"Cat(h)" wrote in message
ups.com...
The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
season.

As well as being extortionate, most Irish garden centres are pretty
poorly stocked when it comes to veg - I suspect this comes from the
lack of demand. We probably have fewer gardeners here per head of
population than in the UK. You can get a reasonablish variety of seeds
- though pretty much only common stuff like carrots, cabbage, peas,
beans, courgettes etc - thank goodness for Lidl where you can get such
exotica as salsify, kohlrabi, and a good variety of lettuces. But when
it comes to plants, beyond cabbage, tomatoes, and herbs, there is
remarkably little available in the main Irish garden centres.

I want to plant jerusalem artichokes this year, and love experimenting
with slightly unusual veg.



Here is one mob in West Cork who I bought seeds from and they grow them
themselves and send them promptly and they have a nice web site.
The list of varieties is small and they only have a few odd/heritage ones
but it is well worth browsing. Postage is free (or included in the price at
any rate).
http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/


The Irish Seed Savers are he
http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/about%20issa.html
(site is hard to navigate; takes some poking around; they have a big
catalogue and tons of peculiar varieties; I never tried them).

For fruit (e.g. rasberry canes; apple trees), Future Forests (West Cork
again) are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
http://futureforests.net/Default.htm
(the site has nothing clickable until you click the "click here if you
cannot see anything to click" button)



I'm wondering: does anyone posting here have any idea where in Ireland
I might be able to get a better selection? Or what about UK based
nurseries/seed companies who ship across the puddle?

And finally, is it too early to plant peas? I will try and protect
them better this year, as last year I was told here they were probably
all eaten by mice - not one sprouted for me!

TIA

Cat(h)