Establishing a garden can be expensive at first. Fortunately there are some practices that can help you cut costs. While there’s no such thing as a free lunch, there are free plants—if you know how to find them.
Establishing a garden can be expensive at first. Fortunately there are some practices that can help you cut costs. While there’s no such thing as a free lunch, there are free plants—if you know how to find them.
There are websites that offer “free” plants, but many of those charge shipping fees. Truly free plants are easier to find away from the web. Here are a few ideas:
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- Visit a nursery and ask if they have any plants they are planning to toss out. These could be healthy, ugly plants or unhealthy, desirable plants. Either type could be free to you, and with some TLC, the unhealthy plants can be looking great by next season.
- Ask friends. If you already have gardener friends, they’ll probably be happy to share cuttings or extra seeds. If not, make friends who garden by joining a local gardeners group.
- Landscaping companies my have plants to share, especially flowers when they are switching seasonal colors. Ask landscapers as you see them or call companies for info.
- Post a wanted ad on Craigslist. You’ll be surprised how many gardeners or local farmers have surplus plants to unload. Be specific about what you’re looking for if possible.
- Save seeds. Even if the parent plant wasn’t free, saving its seeds means free plants for the next season.
- Plant perennial flowers. After a few years they will need to be divided, resulting in plant multiplication for your garden.
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However you seek out free plants for your garden, remember to pay it forward. Once your garden is established, give back to other beginning gardeners who are in the same position you once were.
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