Pretty Wild Seeds Family business with a growing reputation

Last year Andy and Paula decided to expand the reach of their services to the local community by opening a trade counter where customers could pick up click and collect orders or pop in for some expert advice on what to grow and how to ensure it thrives. In keeping with their passion for supporting the local community, they have also been an official Darlington FC sponsor for several years. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse as the pandemic forced the project to stall before it had become established.

What the pandemic did do for the company, however, is boost an interest in gardening which prettywildseeds.co.uk and its sister site, budgetseeds.co.uk, were able to cater for.

“We recognise people wanting to grow anything in an average-sized garden probably can’t make use of 200 seeds, so budgetseeds.co.uk offers them the chance to buy the same high-quality seeds, but in smaller quantities at a smaller price,” says Andy, adding that with packets priced from under 50p they’re perfect for anyone starting out who wants to grow a variety of things without spending a fortune.

On hand to make sure customers can grow their own – from herbs in window boxes to a farm full of grass – are company founders Andy and Paula, above, and their team, left: Stuart, Ian, Nijole, Asta and Marta

With restrictions now lifting Andy aims to get the trade counter back on track and is inviting gardeners, farmers, owners of gardening businesses – in fact, anyone wanting to grow anything from grass to exotic blooms – to see what they offer. Although the company specialises in wildflower seeds and mixes, they also have a vast range of grass, flower, fruit, herb, vegetable, bush, tree, and shrub seeds. If you want to grow something from seed, they’ve probably got it!

They’re not just talking run of the mill: the wildflower and meadow flower seeds, for example, come in everything from single varieties to mixes with or without grass and for every possible site – from marshes, lakes and ponds to dry, sandy soils and embankments or hedgerows and shady areas. The mixes also cater for those hoping to specifically help butterflies, bees, birds or wildlife, making it easy to create a riot of colour anywhere from your garden to a roundabout!

When it comes to fruit, veg and herbs you can get the seeds – and the advice – to grow anything from baby tomatoes to highly sought after F1 varieties (including Gigantomo, the world’s largest beefsteak tomato) and even, if you’re feeling adventurous, coffee plants, bananas, ginger, Sichuan Pepper, quinoa or exotic chillies and peppers in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Flowers, trees, bushes, and shrubs range from giant – or pygmy – sunflowers to exotic lilies or giant redwood trees to stunning burning bushes. If you’re in the market for grass you can opt for everything from luxury front lawn seed to barley grass for juicing, ornamental pampas grass, golf course grass or grass perfect to feed animals ranging from pigs to poultry, alpacas to goats.

Thanks to a growing reputation for top-quality, responsibly-sourced seed not only has the staff grown from just Andy and Paula to a team of eight to cope with demand, but the product ranges in stock have too.

Today prettywildseeds.co.uk sells fertilisers, moss and weed killers, a small selection of pots, a choice of grow your own kits, wedding favours, garden ornaments in the World of Make Believe range and stunning Shrieking Violet jewellery which is handcrafted to include tiny flowers encapsulated in resin.

With seeds available in quantities from 1g to 1 tonne, free advice, and free quotes for wholesale orders – for private customers, businesses, or farmers – there’s no reason not to get growing. Pretty Wild Seeds – a DEFRAregistered company – can be contacted on 01325 353596 or you can shop online at either www.prettywildseeds.co.uk or www.budgetseeds.co.uk.

The shop in Darlington is open 8am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday and 8am-12.30pm on Saturday.