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.

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)

"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.

I bought one jerusalem artichoke from a greengrocer a few years ago it has
done very well, in fact I cannot eat all that it produces.

I wonder if the same could not be done for other veg if it is a root based
thing.

Alan

"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)

Alan Holmes wrote:
"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.

I bought one jerusalem artichoke from a greengrocer a few years ago it has
done very well, in fact I cannot eat all that it produces.


That is good to know. No point in me growing more than 2 then :-) I
eat more veg than anyone else I know....

I wonder if the same could not be done for other veg if it is a root based
thing.


I know it works with garlic, and a friend of mine grew (indoors) a
piece of ginger.

Can you do that with the old sprouted spuds at the bottom of the bag?
Those that would normally end up on the compost heap?

Cat(h)

Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
week end browsing.
And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
Not that the locals ever had any doubt.

I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.

--
Judith Lea

"Cat(h)" wrote from the Emerald Isle...
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.

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!

Try these, they all say they ship seeds to EEC countries...

http://www.thomasetty.co.uk/vegetables/index.html

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chiltern...ON&scn=5&qt=SC

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/?PAGEID=20589


--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK

Bob Hobden wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote from the Emerald Isle...
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.

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!

Try these, they all say they ship seeds to EEC countries...

http://www.thomasetty.co.uk/vegetables/index.html

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chiltern...ON&scn=5&qt=SC

http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/?PAGEID=20589



Fantastic variety of veg there. Many thanks. I have no reason to
whinge any more :-)
In fact, I feel peckish for some garden fresh greens...

Cat(h)

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
ups.com...

Alan Holmes wrote:
"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.

I bought one jerusalem artichoke from a greengrocer a few years ago it
has
done very well, in fact I cannot eat all that it produces.


That is good to know. No point in me growing more than 2 then :-) I
eat more veg than anyone else I know....

I wonder if the same could not be done for other veg if it is a root
based
thing.


I know it works with garlic, and a friend of mine grew (indoors) a
piece of ginger.

Can you do that with the old sprouted spuds at the bottom of the bag?
Those that would normally end up on the compost heap?

Yes, although if you do put then on the compost heap they will grow there
anyway!

In fact I have to ask a question on that very subject!

Alan


Cat(h)

"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.

Another supplier os seeds, Heritage seeds, is the HDRA, Henry Doubleday,
Research Association, based in Coventry, of which I ma a member.

If you join the heritage seeds section you get an allocation of seeds free.

They are all vegetable seeds.

If you want to know more let me know.

Alan

"VivienB" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 14:39:11 -0000, "Des Higgins"
wrote:

For fruit (e.g. rasberry canes; apple trees), Future Forests (West Cork
again) are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
http://futureforests.net/Default.htm
(I did get clickable buttons when it first downloaded)

I went to this nursery a few years ago. It is the sort of place that
looks somewhat unpromising from the roadside. There is minimal parking
and it is on a narrow road out in the back of beyond. At first it
appears a small area, but you discover more and more little beds up
and along the hillside behind the buildings and the trees in the small
level sales area by the road. As you wander round you discover all
sorts of good things. Trees, shrubs and perennials are their main
interests, with a smattering of anything else they think interesting.
When I went in to pay I saw a Chelsea 'Gold' certificate - they did
the planting for the young Irish lass (who won Best in Show, if I
remember correctly) who designed the garden with natural stone seats
in a horseshoe shape and lots of wild flowers.


my experience of them is purely from e-mail/phone/mail order. My wife
phoned them and asked about rasberries and she found someone really helpful
who talked about the different varieties and we bought 20 canes from 2
summer and 2 autumn varieties. They were cheap; very fast to post and
helpful and they have lots of nice varieties, inlcuding tons of nice
sounding fruit trees. We also bought 10 bare root trees and they were
delivered by normal post and were very6 cheap.

"Judith Lea" wrote in message
...
Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
week end browsing.
And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
Not that the locals ever had any doubt.

I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.

who needs nurseries when you have a frying pan. There is one on the road
between Bandon (where Graham Nortoin is from) and Clonakilty that
specialises in Geraniums (Hosfords).




--
Judith Lea

Des Higgins wrote:
"Judith Lea" wrote in message
...

Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
week end browsing.
And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
Not that the locals ever had any doubt.

I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.


who needs nurseries when you have a frying pan. There is one on the road
between Bandon (where Graham Nortoin is from) and Clonakilty that
specialises in Geraniums (Hosfords).

Ah! An area dear to my heart. I spent several holidays with friends in
that area in my yoof. And went back there to re-aquaint myself. Does
anyone remember the old cinema and the rats!

In article , Des
Higgins writes
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.


I've got some packets of weird veg. From America, (bought on Ebay) I
also have some spare 'Old Brooks' tomato seeds and other stuff if you
want to try some?

janet

--
Janet Tweedy
Amersham Gardening Association
http://www.amersham-gardening.net

"Janet Tweedy" wrote in message
...
In article , Des Higgins
writes
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.


I've got some packets of weird veg. From America, (bought on Ebay) I also
have some spare 'Old Brooks' tomato seeds and other stuff if you want to
try some?

no thanks Janet;
I am busy just trying to cope with the few we have underway.
We are planting 2 kinds of spuds today (Orla and Desiree- you cannot get
desiree easily in shops here; to be honest; my missus is planting them; she
actualy likes digging) and have 2 kinds of tomatoes germinated (Ailsa Craig
and Sungold) and 2 kinds of chillis (including one lot from Rusty)
Later we will do peas and french beans and purple sprouting broccolli
(bought from brown envelope seeds) , courgettes (2 plants) and squash (one
or 2 plants). That will be it apart from the odd lettuce or basil or
coriander plant.

It never occurred to me to buy seeds on e-bay.


janet

--
Janet Tweedy
Amersham Gardening Association
http://www.amersham-gardening.net

"JanieB" wrote in message
...
Des Higgins wrote:
"Judith Lea" wrote in message
...

Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
week end browsing.
And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
Not that the locals ever had any doubt.

I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.


who needs nurseries when you have a frying pan. There is one on the road
between Bandon (where Graham Nortoin is from) and Clonakilty that
specialises in Geraniums (Hosfords).

Ah! An area dear to my heart. I spent several holidays with friends in
that area in my yoof. And went back there to re-aquaint myself. Does
anyone remember the old cinema and the rats!

I lived in Cork city from 1997-2003 so I never got to see the rats. First
rat I saw in Cork, my daughter (was 5 at the time) said: ohhh there is a
guinea pig in the garden!! It was after the bird food we had been leaving
it.