Jan 11th, 2009
Victoriana Nursery – On Test
A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely people at Victoriana Nursery and they asked me if I’d like to review some of their plants, seeds, and products. Of course, I jumped at the chance. I’d seen Victoriana Nursery adverts in some of the gardening mags I read and so I knew all about them. They’re a family-run nursery who look like they also have a lot of fun growing plants. You just have to visit the website to see that.
I spent a long time choosing which products I would review. I wanted a cross-section of items. Some plants, some seeds, some plant feed, some items that would be useful around the garden too. This is the list that I’ve decided to review.
5 Cabbage Plants – All Year Round Blend = £2.25
5 Cauliflower Plants ‘Snowball’ = £2.25
Bean Seed – Climbing French Bean ‘Fasold’ = £4.35
Cucumber Seed ‘Crystal Apple’ = £1.50
Instant Life (50 Gallon Pack) = £6.95
Love ‘Em And Leave ‘Em Leaf Sack = £1.95
I chose Cauliflower and Cabbage plants to see if this year, because I didn’t manage it last year, I could grow some Brassicas to be proud of. Frankly, I’ve tried growing them from seed with not much luck. So I’m hoping that buying in some over-wintering plants will give me the helping hand that I need. If this trial is successful I’ll be buying in bulk next year! This year’s plants are tucked up under my fleece tunnel and so far have withstood the hard frosts we’ve been having here. So far so good.
I grew Climbing French Beans for the first time last year. They were a great success and only took up half the room that the normal dwarf variety would do. The problem is that I used up all my seed and only managed to save a handful for this year so when I saw it here I snapped it up. And Crystal Apple – well who wouldn’t want to grow round cucumbers?
The packaging on the Instant Life plant food was so interesting that I had to have that and the ‘Love Em and Leave, Em’ leaf-mould sack is just perfect for someone with a small garden with not a corner to spare for a leaf-mould pile.
So there you have it – Victoriana Nursery is officially on test. Watch out for updates on how the different products fair over the coming year.
10 Responses to “Victoriana Nursery – On Test”
Cool post that is cool that they asked you to review some of their stuff. So how much space do the beans take up in your garden?
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Because they are climbing beans they take up very little room. Last year I grew them up a simple wire obelisk which was around a foot wide. Definitely, recommended.
Hi
I can’t wait to see how you get on with the seeds, I’m also testing Victoriana Nursery seeds. If you fancy see how we’re doing with them you can find us here:
http://www.shoestringgarden.blogspot.com
p.s we’re the couple that re-homed your bricks!
How fun! I always love trying new things!
Just found your site via Life Laundry. Looking forward to seeing how your growing year unfolds. This post has inspired me to plan for my own (even tinier, I’ll wager, and all in pots) yarden. Bit cold to go out there yet, though…
Hi – I found my way here via Slice of Life’s blog. I always prefer to grow climbing beans – they do much better for me and seem to grow larger whilst staying tender. My youngest particularly likes the flat yellow ones. And Crystal Apple cucumbers and fantastic – really juicy and small enough so no left over cucumber to be forgaooton about in the bottom of the fridge.
Rosie x
Thanks for tips everyone.
Kat, your illustrations are amazing. And I see the bricks make a small appearance too. If those bricks could talk they would have some tales to tell I bet. – they’re older than me!
Beans are cool. I tried beans for the first time last year and I got 15 pounds from four short rows (4 feet each). I was quite impressed with that and they will definitely be in my garden this year too.
I am far from impressed by Victoriana Garden Nursery. I ordered over £50 of plants using their online service. Half the order, including sweetcorn plants, did not arrive. They eventually informed me the order would be completed the following spring! The plants that did arrive were delivered at the beginning of July and were still seedlings and had no hope of ever reaching maturity during the summer. The company also refused a refund. My advice would be to definitely look elsewhere!
Average Joe – it’s a shame you had a bad experience with Victoriana. I’ve always found them to be very helpful.