A packet of Suttons or T&M or similar seeds costs around about a couple of quid. There are some cracking varieties available, and some tempting descriptions to ponder, as well as beautiful pictures, a fabulous catalogue, and Alan Titchmarsh or his like (is there such a thing?) grinning at you from the depths.
This lot cost under ten pounds.
I bought Lidls seeds for my Dig For Victory garden last year and the yields were fine. Some of them were exceptional. Yes, I'd love to meander back through the hallowed halls of the Real Seed Company or even my old faithful, Edwin Tucker - but beggars, it seems to me, can't be choosers and we are in a corner here.29p, one of those smaller packs at the front costs. If you grew a dozen of those lovely lettuces, or a pound of those tomatoes, you'd be quids in. No, it's not ground breaking horticulture. Yes, I'd love to stick to heritage varieties (the germination rate and yield of which have often been woeful, to be honest) but you know what, I can't afford to.
It's seeds week in Lidls. If you have a patch of bare earth, or a patch which could be bare earth, do yourself a favour and spend ... maybe even 87p:
to supply yourself with good, solid, staple food - vitamins, minerals and real flavour for a fraction of the cost in the shops. And it's going to go up more, believe me.
And yes there are one or two flowers in there - I treated myself. I do however eat sunflower seeds and calendula flowers!
Now, moving on, I have finally finished batch one of the marmalade, six pounds of pure tangy bittersweet joy.
And what's interesting is - either of those would qualify for a 'Choosing Contentment' slot - simple things that can fill your life with joy. Homemade marmalade - minimal cost, maximum flavour. Cheap seeds, that nevertheless hold God's promise, and really can feed a family. All that's required? Sun, rain, earth and hard work.
As the very wonderful Jonathan Brain would say (you'll have to shout to get the feel): WOW! HOW AMAZING IS THAT?
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2 comments:
I loved this post. We're struggling financially too at the moment and I'm planning on buying seeds from our local Aldi as soon as they have them in stock. I've got a raised bed, pots, and old margarine tubs ready. Our composter has been going since last year so I'm hoping for some good soil from it! I also have a lovely neighbour who gives me his spare tomato plants etc., Lets just pray for good weather now and a deficit of slugs! xxx
Lovely Marmalade! It always looks so beautiful with the new jars lined up like that, I always think. I don't think I'm making any this year, as we still haven't used up last year's, but I hope I don't start to regret that come the autumn.
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