Delighted at the timely arrival of the 2012 Chiltern Seeds catalogue today. Just in time for our Christmas travels, and many a cosy night of seed selecting to follow. Chiltern’s has to be my favourite of all the seeds catalogues. There are no pics, but witty and seductive descriptions help me to envisage my perfect allotment plot and sumptuous borders for the coming year (and always tempt me to buy too many packs of seeds!). There is a huge selection of seeds available with many unusual and heirloom varieties, and there’s often a wider selection of cultivars of better known plants on offer than from other seed suppliers too. Catalogues (both flowers and veg arrive together) cost £2.00, but you will be sent a pack of seeds and subsequent catalogues for free.
All seeds are also available online (and mostly accompanied by photos too), but what I love about this slender, yet incredibly informative volume, is that it can easily accompany you when visiting gardens to help fill in gaps when discovering new plants: country of origin, cultivars available to grow, height, scent, attractiveness to wildlife, colours available and textures of leaves etc. If you wander around gardens iphone and ipad free, then this catalogue is your essential gardening companion!
Out of my shed 
I love the Chilterns seed catalogues. Haven’t had mine yet. Can’t wait to get writing my seed list. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Wellywoman! Looking forward to gathering all my ideas and converting plans into seed lists soon too.v.best Naomi
I’d heard of Chiltern but not paid them much attention; now going to give them a whirl, sounds like a good investment for a mere £2! Happy Christmas Naomi, hope it’s a good one for you! v. best, Caro x
Happy Christmas Caro! Having a relaxing time reading gardening books received as presents and rather overeating.Will be good to get out to the allotment for a bit of weeding and fresh air soon.V.best Naomi
Wonderful seed company! Many of the plants I started from Chiltern seeds still thrive in my garden.
Happy holidays, Naomi. Thanks for sharring your garden though the year. I love your blog. Always inspiring.
Christine
Hi Christine-thanks for reading and commenting-always great to hear your thoughts.Hope you enjoy the rest of your hols too and here’s to a great growing year in 2012.Very best wishes Naomi
Naomi, great timing. I’m spending the week on ‘holiday’ working to get the French potager ready for planting – and the Chiltern seeds post is just what I needed. Very cold at nights here but bright sun during the day so good working conditions. If you would like some pictures of the potager and progress to date, do let me know. All good wishes for happy gardening in 2012! Louise
Hi Louise, the Chiltern Seed catalogue will certainly get you itching to plan and plant. Jealous of your sunny days-but have been happily gardening for the first time since before Christmas today, and it feels good to be doing some exercise after a rather sedentary week or so. Would love to see some pics of your potager now and as it progresses through 2012. Happy New Year and happy gardening for 2012 too. V.best Naomi
Just a word to say congrats to Naomi on 27,000 hits for her blog which has been going for a year (first post 2 Jan 2011, I believe). A huge achievement to have built such a following – though not a surprise when we consider how expert, how informative, how succinct, and how beautifully illustrated with photographs her blog is.
Hurrah for Out of My Shed.
Nicolette
Thanks Nicolette and thanks for all your great comments throughout the year. Wishing you a very happy gardening year for 2012. V.best Naomi