As the seed catalogues start arriving, it is time to weigh up successes and failures from this year and think about next year. Is there something new to try? Do I need to do anything differently?
One tip from a thrifty gardener. There is a wide variation in prices when it comes to seed packets from different suppliers. You can end up paying quite a lot for seeds, especially F1 hybrids. For the home gardener, very often the older varieties are cheaper, and can be harvested over a longer period and are usually popular because they have a superior flavour.
However, if you prefer the new and exciting and don't mind paying a bit more then the F1 varieties will offer the latest in colour, shape, disease resistance and many are aimed at container growing or growing in small spaces.
It is advisable to buy seeds from a well-known supplier to get the best quality seed; otherwise there may be problems with poor germination or even inferior plant types. There are some rather strange adverts for seeds and plants on the internet which are a complete waste of time and money!