Here is Part Two of my weekly series of posts about gardening on a budget, Thrifty Gardening Tips.
One of the best ways to get plants and other garden paraphernalia is through other gardeners that you know. Those who garden are generous people and always seem to want to encourage others in gardening endeavors. Often all you have to do is admire a gardener's garden and they offer you something from it.
What kind of things can you receive from other gardeners?
Plants of all kinds. I've come home with maple trees (small ones), lamb's ear, ferns, and several other gifts from other gardeners. Successful gardeners frequently end up with too much. Who wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of a hosta that got too large?
Cuttings. This can be an easy way to get plants from other gardeners since you don't significantly disturb the plant. You can propagate a few more pieces to make a few more plants than you could if it were an established plant.
Old garden junk. One man's trash is another man's treasure! I've received patio doors, windows, and old pressure treated lumber from other gardeners. This "junk" will be used for a small greenhouse when I get around to it!
Seeds. Many plants like coneflowers, coreopsis, and rudbeckia need deadheaded often. A savvy gardener on a budget can take those seeds and grow new plants in their landscape.
There is a bit of an etiquette question involved here. Should you ask other gardeners for their plants or should you wait to be offered first? I think it depends on how well you know the gardener. A casual acquaintance might be taken aback at a request for a piece of their prized peony whereas a good friend might happily hand over half of his heuchera. I don't think any gardener would be offended at someone taking a few seeds. What do you think?
Thrifty Gardening Tips:
Part 1: Buying and Saving Discount PlantsLabels: garden thoughts, Helpful Gardening Hints, how to garden on a budget
