When there isn't money for nursery plants, where do you get your plants from instead?

[lazy gardener]

That's funny, just this year I am trying to root some geraniums in a vase then stuck them in some dirt to see how they will do. I was dead heading a pot of them at a playground (anyone else this compulsive about plants?) and a couple stems came with the old flower heads, so... Surprise, surprise... I couldn't waste them!
I can relate to the waste conundrum... Sometimes when it's all piling up I have to let something's go in the actual trash, gasp.

My patch of flowers planted in town compost is doing ok this summer. Ive been able to give many away and also sold two bunches, so almost half way to making back what I spent on seeds. I am concerned of what my neighbors think of my over grown lot. I'm a corner lot so lots of neighbors get to look at it. Mostly trimmed yards, then there's me. The hippie on the corner... It's only a 8,000 sq ft lot... So definitely leaning towards unconventional. But secretly, I think I may have some sympathizers... Just not sure if they are my immediate neighbors.

This is something I'm starting to think about as we hit the peak of summer here... Winter has been super tough lately and last year in mid February I felt myself shutting down until I bought some seeds to sprout. I am wondering how I can fight off the blues during non-growing season. I would be very curious to hear what other gardeners do in winter for this, I'm thinking of starting a new thread.

That's the end of my stream of consciousness.

So very sad when a bit of plant breaks off when you are dead heading. I will often do a favor for the landscapers of commercial lots, and do a bit of dead heading to help the flowers continue their blooming. Amazingly, some of those spent flowers have created nice full ripe seed heads. Those manage to fall into my pocket.

Please do start that gardening thread: I start seedlings in Feb. under grow lights. Till then, It's a matter of keeping my potted plants alive, and sprouting seeds/grains for the chickens and myself. Also, I've found that taking Vit D throughout most of the year helps with SAD. My hubby is affected with SAD, and I finally convinced him to take Vit D last winter. When spring rolled around, he commented to me that this has been the most up-beat winter he's ever had, and his energy level has also been up.

Where are you located? What zone? Depending on how cold you get, there are some things to think about when winter hits. If you like to garden, and I assume you do, read Eliot Colemans 4 season Harvest, or the Winter Harvest Handbook. Lots and lots of great info in either book. Yes, start a new thread. Having company when you are feeling wintery and grey can be a super boost. I'll join!

Good book. Gardening under plastic or glass can add 1.5 growing zones to your "unprotected" growing zone per layer. (Think cold frame with an extra layer of plastic just above the plants) Look at hay bale cold frames for the ultimate in ease of construction, inexpensive and recyclable.

I'm located in Northeast US, zone 6. We had snow til mid April this year, like many others, but we dont normally have it that late. We do go a long long time without leaves on the trees, it's something like six months.
Thank you for bringing up winter gardening. I picked up a book at the library on it late last winter (not either that you mentioned) and that was the first introduction to winter gardening I have had. I have to remind myself not everything has to happen in the spring and summer. Ok, new thread... Winter gardening, and how to beat Gardener's Winter Blues. Ha, I just made that up.

Good title.

 

[oregonkat]

Amazingly, some of those spent flowers have created nice full ripe seed heads. Those manage to fall into my pocket.

Yes, the "It came off in me' hand ma'am" was a thread that ran rampant with me and my mother whenever we were in Kew Gardens in London. She would spot some bush or plant that had seed pods on or under it, and before I knew it she was 'tush up' under there harvesting while telling me to keep watch, in case any of those "..... security men come around". Needless to say my mothers garden rivaled Kew in many aspects..

 

[Marmalade25]

Ha! I love it. Growing up, I always thought it was normal to "transplant" stray trees and other things. My mother would occasionally whip the car to the side of the road, jump out and climb back in with a random young evergreen that managed to grow up between the guard rails. We, of course, would make a trip out to the back yardyto rehome it. She did well populating a bare new construction lot with lots of trees and shrubs that she begged, borrowed, and "transplanted". I guess that's where I get my sense of thrift when it comes to finding growing things. Seems a bit early to start that thread, but there's some great advice coming out so I had better do it anyway!

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed, start that thread now. B/c it's not too early to start planning. as a matter of fact, the planning and seeding should have been started in July. (when growing for a cold frame in northern climates, the best plan is to start the seedlings in July, so that they are very well sized before weather gets colder, and days are much shorter.) at that time, they become semi dormant, but will survive that dormancy very well through the winter if well protected. So, if you want a full winter of greens, plant now!!!