A bowl of orange tomatoes and a yellow courgette flower

Best UK seed suppliers

A basket of freshly harvested carrots and rainbow chard.

Where are the best places to buy seeds in the UK?

It’s really hard to buy bad seeds. Good seeds don’t have to be expensive, and you don’t need to buy unusual or rare varieties to get a bountiful harvest. Your local pound shops, garden centres and nurseries are all likely to have seeds that will germinate, sold at decent prices. Come springtime, lots of garden magazines come with packs of free seeds. You may even be lucky enough to know a gardener who saves their own seeds and is willing to share. Learning to save your own seed can save money in the long run and is the most sustainable way to grow (this how-to guide is great).

That being said, in the UK, we are fortunate to have access to a whole host of smaller seed companies (along with some good larger ones) selling seed varieties developed, grown and tested in the UK. This means that even if you’re not able to save your own seed, you’re more likely to get a better crop, and that those more unusual, fun varieties will still work for you as the seeds have been tested in our climate.

This is my definitive list of garden seed and bulb suppliers: I’ve used them all, many for years, and they are on this list because I’ve had great experiences with them. I grow fruit, vegetables and cottage-style flowers, so my lists revolve around these areas.

Best for general seeds and plants

The Real Seed Company A small seed company, based in Wales, supplying UK-grown seeds mostly for vegetables, and some flowers for companion planting. They have lots of interesting and hard to find veg, but I especially love them for heirloom tomatoes, winter squash, and rare peas.

Plants of Distinction A family-run company in East Anglia. They specialise in seeds for vegetables and flowers, with an emphasis on beautiful and unusual varieties.

Victoriana Nursery A family-run company based in Kent. Victoria Nursery has one of the biggest tomato seed ranges you’ll find in the UK, and sells vegetable plants, herbs and fruit trees too. I once bought tomato seeds from here in May, planted them as soon as they arrived, and still had a crop!

Premier Seeds Direct is a great place to buy organic seeds, if that’s your bag, and they are budget-friendly too.

Chiltern Seeds is an old favourite of many gardeners, and it is easy to see why – their range is huge! A perfect one-stop shop for fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Marshall’s Garden A large UK company who sell a wide variety of seeds, bulbs, plants and trees. I like their bare roots strawberry plants and raspberry canes, seed potatoes, and garlic and onion sets.

Orange and red tomatoes and glossy purple aubergines arranged on a wooden chopping board.

Best for niche seeds and plants

Tomato Revolution This teeny Wiltshire-based company specialise in rare and exciting varieties of tomatoes and chillis (including dwarf tomatoes, which are perfect for those of you growing on window sills or in confined spaces).

NR Tomato Seed Niall is a UK-based amateur seed producer and content creator specializing in weird and wonderful heirloom tomato varieties. I find the seed to be of excellent quality.

B White’s Veg is a small UK-based company specializing in chilli, pepper and heirloom tomato seeds. If you’re looking for unique and unusual, Ben has lots of options for you.

Zoe Woodward Flowers Zoe is a gardener and content creator with her own range of florist-quality rare flower seeds, corms and tubers. She doesn’t run a conventional online shop but has a few sales every year. Check her website or join her mailing list for updates (warning: her seeds can sell out quickly!).

The Garlic Farm A family-run business on the Isle of Wight, selling a large variety of UK-grown garlic and onions for planting.

David Austin Roses is an old English company specializing in…well, roses. If you like your roses to come with a British pedigree, a knock-out fragrance and a beautiful story, this is the supplier for you.

Potato House is a family-run UK seed potato supplier, specializing in organic and heritage varieties. Their delayed delivery option is especially useful: you can order potatoes early in the year and request they are delivered to you at a later date, when you’re ready to start chitting them.

Farmer Gracy Not a small company or even a UK-based company, but my absolute favourite for flower bulbs, corms and tubers. If you’re looking to grow unusual tulips or dahlias, you’ll find them here. Products are shipped from Holland.

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