This spring, I put a request for perennial plants on a site called freecycle.com and received so many replies I picked up more plants than I could use. The extras, I shared with friends and family. Examples: Hosta - an entire full size station wagon full; day lilies - several colors; Butterfly bush - taller than my station wagon is long; daffodils - ready to bloom. All I had to do was pick them up and plant.
I estimate having received well over $300 worth of plants. I felt blessed and the givers felt good about giving and recycling. This site has many other items free for pick up. You can also give away any unwanted items. Examples of items on site: furniture, toys, magazines, boats. Everything is exchanged free. For me, it has also resulted in a new friendship with a giver.
Please, always use caution when going to a strange home or having someone pick items up at your home. Women, go in pairs and/or with your husband. Men can be vulnerable, too.
By EIW from Lancaster, PA
This page contains the following solutions.
I usually ask friends and family for starts off their plants. When I go to a nursery or store that sells plants, I look on their floors.
I live in an area where I need privacy but can't afford to buy all the plants I need to grow a hedge, so I decided to propagate my own plants for free! All you need to buy is a container of rooting hormone (under $5) and several bags of playground sand.
I go to the home improvement centers and some have plants that have been returned or wilted a bit at 90% discount, I just picked up some hanging basket flowers with basket, and all for less then $1 each! All the need is a little TLC.
When buying any type of plant; vegetable, bedding plants, or houseplants; always count the number of actual plants in the container.
What do you do with all of those plant pots that you have stored? I have a windowsill in my basement bathroom that is great for growing plants.
When we moved into our new house, we sent out a message letting friends and people in our area know we were looking for plants for landscaping our yard.
I found a website that has free plants: freetreesandplants.com.
