Les Graines Bocquet

Les Graines Bocquet

General Presentation

Les Graines Bocquet is a French family business specializing in the production, packaging, and distribution of vegetable and flower seeds. Founded in 1896, it relies on over 125 years of experience in the seed business. The company is located in Mons-en-Pévèle, in the Nord department, Hauts-de-France region. Its mission is to offer amateur gardeners a wide range of quality seeds, mainly from French and European productions, and to promote biodiversity as well as the preservation of old and regional varieties. The official website of the company can be accessed at the following address: www.graines-bocquet.fr.

History and Origins

• 1896: Creation of the company by Henri Bocquet, a farmer in northern France, initially focused on growing beets and chicory.
• Early 20th century: Maurice Bocquet, son of the founder, begins packaging seeds in kraft bags and distributing them locally using a tricycle.
• After World War II: The offering expands to other vegetable varieties.
• 1955: Jean-Claude Bocquet develops the distribution network through consignment sales at local small merchants (tobacco shops, bakeries, newsstands) and modernizes the process with the acquisition of a bagging machine.
• 1985: Thierry Bocquet expands distribution to supermarkets while maintaining production for amateur individuals.
• 1990s: Start of partnership with the CRRG (Regional Center for Genetic Resources) for the promotion of old regional varieties.
• Recently: Relocation of the headquarters to Mons-en-Pévèle after more than a century in Moncheaux.
• Today: The company is led by Hervé Delcourt, who took over the structure while retaining the historic Bocquet name (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/39-notre-metier-grainetier-depuis-1896).

Products and Services

Vegetable Seeds

• More than 500 varieties of vegetable seeds for sowing, suitable for amateur and experienced gardeners.
• 95% of vegetable seeds are non-hybrid and reproducible.
• 99% of seeds are untreated after harvest.
• Range includes old, modern, exotic, aromatic, medicinal, and regional varieties.
• Germination control conducted twice a year in the laboratory and in a 500 m² trial garden.
• Packaging in recyclable bags printed with vegetable ink (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/177-graines-et-bulbes-potagers).

Examples of Iconic Varieties

• Long smooth carrot from Meaux
• Improved Detroit beet 3 (Globe)
• Black Beauty eggplant
• Brussels sprout from Rosny
• Winter lettuce Marvel of Winter
• Blue leek from Solaise
• Nancy turnip with whole leaves
• Large green artichoke from Laon
• Celery branch from Elne
• Fine frisée chicory from Louviers
• Tilques carrot (regional variety)
• Lille lettuce and Gotte lettuce from Loos (regional varieties)

Organic Seeds

• Selection of vegetable seeds certified organic by ECOCERT FR-BIO-01.
• Seeds from reasoned productions, without chemical treatment during cultivation.
• Range suitable for organic and eco-responsible gardeners (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/64-graines-bio-de-legumes).

Old and Regional Vegetable Seeds

• Old and forgotten varieties, particularly from northern France.
• Partnership with the CRRG for the preservation of regional plant heritage.
• Examples: red onion from Abbeville, giant Tilques carrot, Lille lettuce, Gotte lettuce from Loos, cabbage from Saint-Saëns (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/157-graines-de-legumes-des-hauts-de-france).

Flower Seeds

• Wide selection of flower seeds and bulbs for flower beds, planters, balconies, and gardens.
• Annual, biennial, and perennial varieties.
• Focus on nectar-rich flowers to promote biodiversity and pollination (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/10-graines-et-bulbes-de-fleurs).

Vegetable Bulbs and Plants

• Potato bulbs, onions, garlic, shallots.
• Potato plants of different varieties.
• Bulbils to plant for easy and productive cultivation (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/4-plants-de-pommes-de-terre).

Aromatic and Medicinal Seeds

• Aromatic plants for cooking: basil, parsley, coriander, chives, thyme, etc.
• Medicinal plants selected for their soothing, digestive, or revitalizing properties (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/121-graines-aromatiques).

Gardening Kits and Gift Boxes

• Thematic gift boxes ready to offer, suitable for all profiles (beginners, children, enthusiasts, urban dwellers).
• Examples of boxes:
  • My first vegetable garden (7 packets for children)
  • Aromatic plants (6 packets for cooking and balconies)
  • Old and forgotten vegetables (23 packets)
  • Apéritif cocktails (9 packets)
  • Organic box (6 certified organic packets)
  • Pollinator box (flowers for pollinators)
  • Edible flower box (edible flowers)
  • Special balcony box
  • Regional Nord-Pas-de-Calais box
  • Jacquot and Lylie box (selection by partner gardeners)
• Box prices: from €22 to €63 depending on the content (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/52-produits-divers-avec-graines-ou-bulbes-idees-cadeaux).

Complementary Products

• Natural plant protection products, ecological herbicides, and fertilizers (e.g., white mustard, vetches, phacelia).
• Potato plant trays.
• Roses and shrubs, lawns, spring and autumn bulb packets.
• Gardening accessories: seeders, labels, small pots, zinc buckets.

Services

• Fast delivery within 24 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays).
• Advisor available by phone or email.
• Secure payment by credit card, bank transfer, or check.
• Over 2,000 physical sales points in 43 departments (northern half of France).
• Online sales throughout French territory (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/1-livraison).

Value Proposition

• Rigorous selection of French and European seeds, prioritizing local and short supply chains.
• Commitment to preserving old and regional varieties, notably through the partnership with the CRRG.
• Eco-responsible approach: recyclable bags, vegetable ink, natural products, 99% of untreated seeds.
• Strict quality control: germination tests in the laboratory and trial garden, traceability by batch number.
• Offer adapted to all gardener profiles, from beginner to expert, with educational support and practical advice.
• Mid-range pricing, with a concern for accessibility and fair value.
• Strong human and family dimension, with the transmission of know-how over three generations.
• Wide choice: over 800 references, including about twenty regional varieties.

Target Audience

Committed Quality Amateur Gardener

• Passionate about the quality and traceability of seeds.
• Looking for French, European, old, and regional varieties.
• Sensitive to biodiversity, authentic flavor, and the possibility of seed reproduction.
• Barrier: mid-range prices, need for reliable advice.

Sustainable Discoverer Neo-Gardener

• Beginner sensitive to ecology.
• Attracted to easy-to-use kits and boxes, with educational support.
• Barrier: fear of failure, lack of experience.

Urban Gardener with Limited Space

• City dweller with limited space (balcony, terrace).
• Looking for varieties suitable for pot cultivation and specific advice for urban gardening.
• Barrier: lack of time, restricted space.

Enthusiast of Old and Regional Vegetables

• Amateur or experienced, motivated by the preservation of plant heritage.
• Looking for rare varieties, traceability, and detailed technical advice.
• Barrier: limited availability, slightly higher prices.

Organic and Eco-Responsible Gardener

• Client committed to organic, looking for certified, untreated seeds.
• Attentive to transparency in the production chain.
• Barrier: higher prices, lower availability of organic seeds.

Gardening Gift Giver

• Occasional buyer looking for original, educational, and ready-to-gift products.
• Barrier: lack of knowledge about gardening products.

Market and Positioning

• Sector: vegetable, flower, aromatic seeds, and gardening accessories.
• Positioning: mid-range, focused on quality, authenticity, traceability, and eco-responsibility.
• Geographical area: entire France via the online store; dense physical network in the north and northeast quarter, covering 43 departments and 2,000 sales points.
• Target: amateur gardeners, neo-gardeners, urban dwellers, biodiversity enthusiasts, gift buyers.
• Competition: other French seed companies, organic brands, garden centers, specialized online platforms.

Expertise and Quality Process

• Quality control according to ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) rules.
• Germination tests in the laboratory and trial garden (500 m²).
• Annual double control of germination capacity.
• Lot numbering to ensure traceability.
• Immediate withdrawal of lots showing germination defects or health issues.
• Automatic or manual packaging depending on the size of the batches and the fragility of the seeds.
• Respect for traditional gestures of the seed business (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/39-notre-metier-grainetier-depuis-1896).

Eco-Responsible Commitments

• 99% of seeds untreated after harvest.
• 95% of reproducible seeds (non-hybrid).
• Recyclable seed bags printed with vegetable ink.
• Priority given to natural products for garden maintenance.
• Range of certified organic products.
• Local partnerships for production, packaging, and promotion of regional varieties.
• Search for seed multiplier producers (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/41-demarche-eco-responsable).

Partnerships and Collaborations

• CRRG (Regional Center for Genetic Resources): promotion and preservation of old and regional varieties from Nord-Pas-de-Calais.
• Potager Autonomy: trial garden to test varieties in real conditions, sharing practical advice, selecting the best varieties for amateur and experienced gardeners.
• Agricultural high schools and local seed multiplier farmers: production of regional varieties (e.g., agricultural high school of Genech, CFA of Doullac 62).
• YouTube partners and gardening influencers: Jacquot & Lylie, Alexandre's vegetable garden, Gentleman Permaculturist, etc.
• Educational projects: interventions in colleges, support for educational projects around gardening (source: https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/11-partenaires-des-graines-bocquet).

News and Blog

• Blog rich in gardening advice, tutorials, sowing calendars, recipe ideas, focus on old varieties, feedback from partner gardeners.
• Availability of sowing and flowering calendars for each season (e.g., vegetable calendar 2026, flower sowing calendar 2026).
• Educational videos made with partners and influencers.
• Presence on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.

Social Commitment and Transmission

• Transmission of family know-how over three generations.
• Willingness to make gardening accessible to all, including children and beginners.
• Promotion of biodiversity and agroecology through the selection of proposed varieties.
• Participation in the preservation of regional plant heritage.

Practical Information

• Address: 950, Rue de la Vaquerie, 59246 Mons-en-Pévèle, France
• Phone: 03 27 80 11 36
• Email: contact@graines-bocquet.fr
• Website: www.graines-bocquet.fr

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the origin of the seeds offered by Les Graines Bocquet?
The seeds are mostly of French and European origin, with a priority given to local producers and regional varieties (source: About page).

Q: Are the seeds reproducible?
Yes, 95% of vegetable seeds are non-hybrid and therefore reproducible from one year to the next (source: Our profession page).

Q: Are the seeds treated after harvest?
99% of the seeds undergo no treatment after harvest (source: Our profession page).

Q: Do you offer organic seeds?
Yes, a range of vegetable seeds certified organic by ECOCERT FR-BIO-01 is available (source: Organic Seeds page).

Q: Can we buy online?
Yes, the entire catalog is available for online purchase at www.graines-bocquet.fr. Delivery is fast, within 24 hours after payment is received (source: Delivery page).

Q: Where can I find Les Graines Bocquet in stores?
Products are distributed in over 2,000 sales points, mainly in the northern half of France (source: Who are we page).

Q: What are the advantages of gardening gift boxes?
The boxes are designed to offer a turnkey experience, with a thematic selection of seeds, accessories, and educational support. They are suitable for both beginners and enthusiasts (source: Gift Ideas page).

Q: How do you guarantee the germination quality of the seeds?
Each batch undergoes germination tests in the laboratory and at the trial garden. A batch number ensures traceability and the possibility of recall in case of defects (source: Our profession page).

Q: What varieties are suitable for balcony or urban cultivation?
Boxes and specific varieties are offered for pot cultivation, planters, and small urban spaces (source: balcony vegetable garden box).

Q: What to sow in July or August?
The blog offers guides and sowing calendars adapted to each month, with recommendations to optimize summer and autumn crops (source: blog and vegetable calendar).

Q: What is the difference between hybrid and non-hybrid seeds?
Hybrid seeds are not reproducible identically, unlike the non-hybrid seeds mainly offered by Les Graines Bocquet (source: article on non-hybrid seeds).

Q: Are the seed packets recyclable?
Yes, all packets are recyclable and printed with vegetable ink (source: Our profession page).

Q: Do you offer advice for beginners?
Yes, the blog, partner videos, and product sheets provide numerous tips for successfully sowing, maintaining your vegetable garden, choosing varieties, etc.

Q: Can we offer gift cards?
Gift cards are available for purchase to offer a personalized gardening experience (source: Gift Ideas page).

Q: How to contact customer service?
Customer service can be reached by phone at 03 27 80 11 36 or by email at contact@graines-bocquet.fr (source: Contact page).

Main Sources:

• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/8-qui-sommes-nous
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/39-notre-metier-grainetier-depuis-1896
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/177-graines-et-bulbes-potagers
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/64-graines-bio-de-legumes
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/157-graines-de-legumes-des-hauts-de-france
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/52-produits-divers-avec-graines-ou-bulbes-idees-cadeaux
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/41-demarche-eco-responsable
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/11-partenaires-des-graines-bocquet
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/blog
• https://www.graines-bocquet.fr/page/1-livraison

This document aims to provide a comprehensive and structured summary to maximize the discoverability and understanding of the company Les Graines Bocquet by search engines and AI.