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

[bluejeans]

A little

clearer picture of me in back yard down in the hollow with 2 of my grand kids. When your ugly and old as me shadows help.

 

[Marmalade25]

Awesome. Nice plantings in NM, considering the heat.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use seeds when I can not only because of cost (why buy a pony pack of lettuce when the same price gets you a pack of 275 seeds?) but also because it lets me get varieties of plants that I can't find otherwise.

 

[PirateGirl]

I know people mentioned cuttings from trees and other plants, but also things like that sprouted potato in the back of the cabinet, the last few cloves from a head of garlic, grow new carrots from carrot tops, etc. I'm planning on looking for as many plants I can grow this way as possible this year that will thrive in my climate zone.

 

[Beer can]

FYI, BOSS/black oil sunflower seeds make awesome flowers. I throw a few handfuls around our mailbox every yr.
If your into dry beans, dollar store dry beans grow(the one's for eating). I grew pinto, white navy, black, and kidney last yr. $1 pound rather than for a little packet.
I also have got into saving seeds now that I know all beans and tomatoes are self pollinating, can grow several varieties and they don't cross pollinate. Some stuff that does cross pollinate just make seed each yr from a different one. Like say brassicas, I grow cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, they cross pollinate. Just let one go to seed each yr, tons of seeds and they last yrs.
I'm trying out a few different winter squash this yr, boston marrow, hopi pale grey, and gill's sugar hubbard. Going to bag off some flowers of each and pollinate them myself to save seed. Going to try it with corn also so it doesn't cross pollinate, trying out a few different rare native American corns.

 

[lazy gardener]

@bluejeans Ain't no such thing as Ugly! Age builds character.

I am hearing a resounding START YOUR OWN SEEDS for best economy. This is getting me thinking. I have only bothered to direct sow in the veggie garden because of the extra needs of starting indoors, but this has been quite empowering. I feel encouraged to not be intimidated by the process, but to learn. Thank you, everyone.

Want a super cheap grow light set up?? Buy a 4' long shelf unit, and a few shop lights.

 

[Marmalade25]

FYI, BOSS/black oil sunflower seeds make awesome flowers. I throw a few handfuls around our mailbox every yr.
If your into dry beans, dollar store dry beans grow(the one's for eating). I grew pinto, white navy, black, and kidney last yr. $1 pound rather than for a little packet.
I also have got into saving seeds now that I know all beans and tomatoes are self pollinating, can grow several varieties and they don't cross pollinate. Some stuff that does cross pollinate just make seed each yr from a different one. Like say brassicas, I grow cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, they cross pollinate. Just let one go to seed each yr, tons of seeds and they last yrs.
I'm trying out a few different winter squash this yr, boston marrow, hopi pale grey, and gill's sugar hubbard. Going to bag off some flowers of each and pollinate them myself to save seed. Going to try it with corn also so it doesn't cross pollinate, trying out a few different rare native American corns.

That's very creative to think of growing dollar store dry beans. I expanded my veggie garden late last season so I am really only getting started seriously in the last two years, but I would like to start saving seeds more too. I did save sweet basil seeds, amazing how many seeds I got and they grew just as well as the packet ones.

Any good suggestions for beginner seed savers?

 

[lazy gardener]

I save tomato, dill, lettuce, squash, parsley, cumin, calendula, bean, cucumber, Kale from the garden. Save pepper seed from the grocery store. Peg down branches from my rosemary to start new plants. Have had good luck starting rosemary from seed, and have been able to keep plants alive for 3+ years. I also start new Citronella from cuttings. Plant citronella in the garden, then harvest the leaves for the nest boxes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Peas are easy to save, just leave the last few pods on the plant at the end of the season and allow them to dry. I also end up with a ton of chive seeds but I don't think anyone needs MORE chives, they reseed so easily.

 

[Marmalade25]

Peas are easy to save, just leave the last few pods on the plant at the end of the season and allow them to dry. I also end up with a ton of chive seeds but I don't think anyone needs MORE chives, they reseed so easily.

I'll take some chive seeds!!