It’s a good time to be a gardener! In a recent study by the National Gardening Association, it has been found that 35% of American households grow food at home or in community gardens, up 17% from 2008.1
So if you’re looking to join this green-thumbed trend without breaking the bank, here are 10 clever (and completely legal) ways to score free plants for your garden.
1. Join a Plant Swap
Plant swaps have blossomed into popular community events where gardeners exchange cuttings, seeds, and extra plants. Check local gardening groups on social media or community boards to find upcoming swaps in your area. Bring a few offerings from your own garden and leave with an armful of new botanical buddies.
2. Scour Online Marketplaces
Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Freecycle often have listings for free plants. Gardeners moving homes or thinning out their collections frequently give away excess plants rather than toss them. Set up alerts for “free plants” in your area and be ready to pick up quickly.
3. Propagate from Cuttings
Many plants can be propagated simply by taking a cutting and rooting it in water or soil. Common houseplants like pothos, philodendron, and spider plants are particularly easy to propagate. Ask friends or family if you can snip a small cutting from their healthy plants to start your own.
4. Harvest Seeds from Produce
That organic produce from the farmers market isn’t just for eating. Save seeds from fruits and vegetables to grow your own plants. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash seeds are especially viable candidates for home gardeners . Rinse, dry, and store seeds properly for best results.
5. Attend Community Garden Events
Local community gardens often host plant giveaways or volunteer days where participants can take home seedlings or divisions. These events promote gardening education and community building . Check with your local parks department or extension office for upcoming opportunities.
6. Rescue Plants from Curbs
Keep an eye out for discarded plants on curbs or in dumpsters, especially during moving season. With a little TLC, many of these “plant rescues” can be nursed back to health. Always ask permission before taking plants from private property.
7. Divide Perennials
Many perennial plants benefit from being divided every few years. Offer to help a neighbor divide their overgrown perennials like hostas, daylilies, or ornamental grasses. You’ll likely be rewarded with a portion of the divided plants for your own garden.
8. Check Out Library Seed Libraries
An increasing number of public libraries now offer “seed libraries” where patrons can “check out” seeds for free.(ref) The idea is to grow the plants and return seeds from your harvest to replenish the library . It’s a great way to try new varieties without any upfront cost.
9. Volunteer at Botanical Gardens
Many botanical gardens and arboretums rely on volunteers to help maintain their collections. In exchange for your time, you may receive free plants, cuttings, or seeds as a thank you. Plus, you’ll gain valuable gardening knowledge from the experts.
10. Sign Up for Conservation Programs
Some states offer free tree seedlings through conservation programs aimed at reforestation or habitat restoration. Check with your state’s department of natural resources or forestry division to see if such programs exist in your area . You may be able to get native trees or shrubs at no cost.
Source:
1.calag.ucanr.edu
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.