Is there anything more thrilling than seeing the first little shoots appearing from a pot of seeds? And what wonderful potential in each little seedling. It might grow into a huge tree or a tiny alpine plant but, of course, first, you have to sow the seed. If you haven’t placed your seed orders yet there’s still time.

The Hardy Plant Society has a Seed Distribution Scheme and members are entitled to 20 packets from a long list of exciting possibilities. You should have received the list by now and orders must arrive by 15 January 2009. Don’t forget to read the instructions! Too late now!

Kent Group also has a seed exchange at meetings and this will continue into the new year so if you have any seed to spare bring it along and exchange it - you never know what you might find.

AGS and RHS also have lists from which their members can choose.

And then, of course, there are the many commercial suppliers:

Chiltern Seeds is always a great favourite   www.chilternseeds.co.uk

Some of our members order seed from further afield:

Silverhill Seeds in South Africa   www.silverhillseeds.co.za
Mesa Garden in New Mexico   www.mesagarden.com
J.L.Hudson in California   www.jlhudsonseeds.net - you pay by PayPal

If you know of any other suppliers that members and others might like to know about please contact us and we can add the links to our list.

And you might enjoy ‘The Seed Site’    www.theseedsite.co.uk