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Want to buy some seeds online but not sure who offers the best value? We were and we decided to investigate. We used tomato seeds (a random sample) as the basis for our investigation. The results surprised us! We took into account packet prices, average seeds per packet and then calculated the cost of an individual seed. Our results are tabularised at the bottom of this page. Postage is also discussed.

But if you don't want to trawl through those results we have summarised our findings immediately below. Remember,
our sample, although random is restricted. We have assumed that the average buyer will purchase around 15 packets
of seeds, only a few of which would be tomato seeds. This sample was taken from online catalogues in 2009.

First we can rule out Amazon. Their range is very limited, the prices are higher than average and the selection
process is difficult and laborious.

Next we can rule out Thomson and Morgan. Although the range of seeds on offer is very good, their prices are
easily the highest of the seed companies.
In addition the charge for posting and packing is the highest of all.

The next we can rule out is Unwins. Their prices are noticeably higher than the others.

The final company to be ruled out is Suttons. Their prices, like Unwins are noticeably higher.

That leaves us with Dobies, Marshalls and Nickys Nursery competing for top place. There is not much to chose between
these three companies price wise.

Dobies was:
Good on prices
Restricted range on offer
Good post and packing costs, important if the order quantity is small.

Marshalls was:
Good on prices
Not good on post and packing costs
Restricted range on offer.

Nickys Nursery was:
Good on prices
Post and packing - mixed. Excellent (free) for orders over £20, but high for smaller orders
The best range of all.

Our award for the best seed merchant goes to Nicky's Seeds.

 

1. This is a totally independent review by GardenAction. We earn no commission nor receive any benefits from Nicky's Nursery.
They are totally unaware that this review was being carried out.
 

2. Whilst researching this seed price comparison we were constantly aware that we had only sampled what we believed
were the most frequently found seed merchants using online searching. Time restricted us to this limited survey.
If you are looking for a seed merchant who supplies not so easily found seeds though, we would recommend
Victoriana Nursery. They have a policy of producing all their own seeds and the range is inspiring.
 

3. One annoyance with several of the seed merchants (not all) is that the number of seeds supplied in a packet is far beyond
the requirements of many gardeners. Why not reduce the number of seeds and therefore reduce the price? One company which
has done just this is www.moreveg.net. A quick glance through their online catalogue shows packets of seeds most of which
are around the 50p price. Equally good is the post and packing cost - free on orders over £5 and only 85p on orders below £5.
Great value and this seed merchant may well suit you.
 

PACKETS, SEED NUMBERS AND INDIVIDUAL SEED PRICES

 

Three columns for each supplier: packet price, seeds in packet, price per seed  

Variety Amazon   Dobies   Marshalls   Nickys
Nursery   Suttons   Thomson &
Morgan   Unwins  

Ailsa Craig

n/a

n/a

n/a

0.95

120

0.01

0.95

50

0.02

1.35

100

0.01

1.55

75

0.02

1.69

75

0.02

n/a

n/a

n/a

Alicante

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.00

120

0.01

1.25

100

0.01

1.60

100

0.02

1.55

60

0.03

1.89

100

0.02

n/a

n/a

n/a

Fantasio

3.30

20

0.17  

2.45

20

0.12

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

3.30

20

0.17

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Gardeners Delight

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.15

200

0.01

1.35

50

0.03

1.50

100

0.02

1.85

75

0.03

1.89

65

0.03

1.49

70

0.02

Garden Pearl n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

1.75

50

0.04

2.00

40

0.05

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.99

20

0.10

1.99

60

0.03

Ildi

1.99

40

0.05

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.10

30

0.04

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.99

40

0.05

n/a

n/a

n/a

Moneymaker

1.89

75

0.03

0.95

120

0.01

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.35

70

0.02

1.55

70

0.02

1.89

75

0.03

n/a

n/a

n/a

Red Alert

1.25

18

0.07

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.85

25

0.07

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.99

20

0.10

Shirley

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.95

20

0.15

3.25

20

0.17

4.45

20

0.22

3.49

10

0.35

3.49

15

0.23

Sungold

2.99

10

0.30

2.95

10

0.30

2.85

15

0.20

2.40

10

0.24

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.99

10

0.30

2.99

30

0.10

Sweet Million

2.45

20

0.12

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.25

25

0.10

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.45

20

0.12

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.49

15

0.17

Tigerella

1.99

75

0.03

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0.80

40

0.02

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.99

75

0.03

n/a

n/a

n/a

Tropical Ruby

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

2.75

20

0.14

2.15

15

0.14

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

 

Company Minimum Notes

Amazon n/a Varies according to supplier

Dobies £0.95  

Marshalls £1.75  

Nickys Nursery £1.84 Free on all orders over £20

Suttons £0.95  

Thomson & Morgan £1.99 Applies even if ordering other items

Unwins £1.75 Information not readily visible. Added at the checkout

 

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