About Diggers' membership

[Florence]

Addy’s mentioning of visiting Heronswood reminds me about my questions regarding the Digger’s club membership. I am planning a trip to Melbourne in December and thinking about paying them a visit.

I believe at least a couple of BLF’s members are Diggers members as well, and was wondering is it worth it to join for the one time free entry (I am only likely to go once) from others’ experience. Do you actually get the 8 packets of free seeds as advertised or do you have to make regular minimum purchases to get them? I don’t seem to find any information regarding the process of claiming the free seeds on their website.

[Donna]

You do get the 8 free packets of seeds, no matter whether you buy anything or not, and the postage is free, but you don't get to pick them from the catalogue they are whatever is excess at the time but still there is usually something that I will use - but you have to get in quick for the good ones as they go quickly - I learned to order online the day I get the catalogue!

It is spread throughout the year, from the autumn catalogue you get four packets and I ended up choosing:
Purple King Bean
Lettuce that was heat tolerant
Capsicum Heirloom mix
Gamblers choice vegetable - will let you know what it was when it comes in the next few days

The discount on their books when you join is great too - if you don't buy any I would be interested in getting another one, they are really good!

Just a word of advice when ordering plants from there - it can take forever to arrive (and I mean more than a month) and the plants are quite small compared to other places.

The whole dedication to Heirloom/ Heritage seed saving is what prompted me to join initially and is why I also signed up for another five years as I want to support that philosophy - and five years is heaps cheaper works out $25 instead of $45. That way the *free* seeds are $3.13 each and I figure I can always give them away...

If it was only for the discount on the seeds I would be happy to buy and bring to Garden Visits.

[Addy]

My friend who lives in Mornington is a member and she gets good use of her membership, I didn't think it was worthwhile my joining up when we went to Heronswood last year - my friend buys whatever I want on her membership at a discount... I also found that a lot of their seeds are more suited for temperate region.

[Donna]

Gamblers choice vegetable - will let you know what it was when it comes in the next few days

Was capsicum black pearl.

[Scarlett Patrick]

if you walk down the bottom of the hill into the gully it's quite wild and there are rope swings and stuff - nice place to chill out. i've never joined. their stuff is pretty temperate climate focussed. good place. apparently their cafe is good too (local food chef stuff) although i've not tried the food

[Addy]

We couldn't afford the meals at the cafe! But their cakes and snacks are delicious! Apparently they use their own produce to create their dishes.