Internet purchasing

Hi

Out of interest how many of you purchase plants off the internet on a regular basis, i know it has its plus signs but then again it has its down side as i found out this week when i puchased two standard azaleas and the one was not very standard to say the least !  still hopefully i can rectify with some loving care, also you would have to consider transport i suppose especially if you were puchasing larger items

I don't. All my seeds come via the internet but i like to have a poke around nurseries and plant fairs during the spring and early summer.  The down side of this is that I don't plan then order. I buy then plan and some plants sit around in pots for ages before they find a home.

I posted this on another thread yesterday...

Lyon Greene wrote (see)

For those of you who have not yet discovered the joys and convenience of mail order gardening, these snaps show a parcel from Crocus that arrived last week. I ordered on the Wednesday, and the parcel arrived on the Friday...

Pretty much the same conclusions as Verdun has already described.

You can get much better choice than is avaiable in any garden centre. The order above included some Hemerocallis. My local GC stocks 3 varieities at the most; Crocus have around 15 varieties. A nursery specialising in that plant alone may have upto a 100 to choose from.

I've bought loads of plants, of all kinds, by mail order.

Another big advantage is that you don't waste money. If I take a trip to a garden centre, then I'm inclined to come back with a load of stuff that I didn't really need. Buying on-line makes purchasing a more considered activity.

Some good points - Lyon and Verdun

  I buy lots online.The packaging is so good now that nothing gets damaged. I find that I can get tiny plant plugs much cheaper than buying at GC.

Verdun where did you get your Hellebore from please?

I don't buy a lot online, probably because I grow most of my plants from seed, which I do buy from time to time online. You probably do get more choice and variety from online buying though. MIght be good if you were after something particular. I have used T&M for their "free plants offer" once I got over the shock re how small they were, I was happy with them.

I do buy online if I've developed a passion for something unusual; but other than that I really would love my marvellous local nursery (Moat Road Nursery, just off the A17 near Terrington St. Clement) to stay open and flourish; they are great people and have a good selection of plants.

I tend to buy tools & equipment online.  As I've got one sproglet in school full time, and the other one is an almost-toddler, I'm at home all day.  So I tend to do surveys that reward you with points, which I can then swop for an Amazon voucher, or even 'proper' money though paypal.  The last thing I bought was some burgon & ball knee pads (normally cost £15), for £4 of 'real' money (money that was in my bank).  Before that I got a compost stirrer for nothing (all through amazon vouchers).  Now I'm saving up my vouchers for a wolf culti-weeder.  It will probably be a while before I can afford it, as I will ONLY use my vouchers, my budget is virtually zero.

It's great when you get a parcel through the post that you've not had to pay for!  It's about the only thing I can do with an anklebiter in tow, looking for a job but few & far between.

I've just discovered three local private growers who sell on the internet, which seems to me a great find, since it offers the best of both worlds - quality plants and the chance to see before I buy - plus the opportunity to meet gardeners and see quality gardens in my area.  Off to Swansea soon for rare aquilegias and other herbaceous perennials - can't wait!

That's the thrill of gardening, isn't it - finding new ideas and learning new things, and especially developing one's knowledge and love and plants. I haven't yet achieved the gorgeous garden I dream of, especially as I am surrounded by houses and have to create my own outlook, but the quest is a lot of fun!