Good quality veggie garden plants in Canberra?

I’ve bought all of my veggie plants including tomatoes (yes, I know it’s actually a fruit), from Rodneys and the only thing that has caused them not to flourish is my gardening abilities, laziness in tending them or rubbish soil (which I haven’t taken the time to build up).

If the plants look strong and healthy at the point of sale, then they should be that way through their life – in the main.

What you need to avoid, and what I do see at Rodneys is out of season veggie plants for sale which look exciting but are never going to survive because its the wrong time of year. Obviously they are just left over stock, but too tempting all the same.

I like The Garden nursery in Parkwood (there are a couple of other stores in Canberra too). They tend have varieties that you don’t find in Bunnings (e.g. more heirloom tomatoes) and they have 25% off everything weekends 4-6 times a year.

There is a person from Bungendore at the Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. He has lots of seedlings. Unfortunately he is not listed http://obdm.com.au

If you are patient – then try getting the seeds from an online source like ‘the lost seed’, ‘diggers club’ or ‘little veggie patch co’. The good thing about seeds is that you can pick the exact variety you want and is more suited to your garden climate. Raising seeds also gives the seedlings time to adapt to that particular environment as well.

If you are in a bit of a rush, I second the farmers markets – or Yarralumla Nursery. Depending on what you are going to be planting at the moment, make sure there is a bit of shade. I am finding that a lot of herbs and leafy greens are bolting straight to seed at the moment.

There’s a guy inside (Near the bagels and the apple seller in the corner) at the EPIC Farmers Markets on Saturday mornings.

His seedlings are the best I’ve ever planted!! And only $2.20. However, as far as varieties go, he tends to not have everything every time – best off asking him if there is something specific you are after – he can usually give you a timeframe of when/if it will be in.

Sorry I can’t give a better description of where he is. You’ll know you have the right one by the big bunches of flowers and shelves of seedlings. I think he’s the only seedling seller undercover.

Good luck!