"Free" Gardening

If you have been following my gardening progress then you probably already know that I am a big fan of "free" plants. This year I think I have spent less than $25 on gardening things. This $25 includes: Gerber Daisies, starter pots, dirt, and seeds. I still need to buy my veggies. In contrast, I have accepted entire car loads, wagon loads, and arm loads of free plants from various green thumbs (obviously this $ amount can't even be fathomed for me). As well as dividing the plants in my own yard. I am looking forward to sharing my plants too. I already successfully got rid of a bunch of saplings and starts to random bushes at my curb, my friend, Beth, is taking the umbrella clothes line (yes, I know that's not a plant) that came with the house, and tonight my friend, Tina, will be the proud owner of some daffodil bulbs!

All of this is great but I wanted to bring to your attention: www.wintersown.org. This site teaches you all about starting seedlings in the winter, seed saving and trading and much more. They will also send you seeds for free. You just have to send them a SASE with two stamps on it to cover shipping and print out a page from their website (you do have to take a quiz to prove your knowledge to get to the site which is very easy). Click here to get started.

When I read about this I figured actually receiving the seeds was a long shot but I gave it a try and the seeds came very fast (2 weeks at the most). They are supposed to send 6 seed packets and I got 10 (they send your seeds according to the zone you live in)! I am so impressed by the quick turn around and the cute little labels on the bags. I may save some to try the winter sowing but will likely throw most of it in the yard soon!





Here is a list of the plants I received:
Speckled Trout Back Lettuce
Sweet William Mix
Tickseed
Mexican Hat
Evening Primrose
Lacey Phacelia
Cornflower
Black Eyed Susan
'Winter Giant' Spinach
Large Red Cherry (tomato)

This Saturday, Huber Ridge, my neighborhood, has it's annual plant swap. More free plants may be on the way... I'm looking for some shade friendly plants for out front.