Gardening Tip from my sister Sheryl

Here is a great gardening idea from my sister Sheryl. I love gardening but it is can be so expensive. Some people have told me that I should grow plants and flowers from seed packets and that will save me money. The problem with that is that I also tend to be a bit impatient (no pun intended as I don’t care for impatients) and don’t want to wait for seeds to sprout. Well, if you have a basic green thumb and can water a plant that you won’t spend a lot of money for, check out the bargain and clearance shelves at your local big stores such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowes! They have great deals on plants which have been moved to the back of the garden center off of the front shelves if favor of the new plants. You can also request discounts at nurseries for plants that look a little weather worn or dry. It really never hurts to ask! Sure, some may be half over their blooming cycles but you may still be able to get a couple weeks of blooms after you show that ,dried out, hanging plant some TLC.

I went last week and bought two hanging plants at Lowes for $5.00 each. The original price was actual $25.00 each!  I bought a daisy-type plant and a some other flowering plant with little blue and white flowers. I don't profess to be a master gardener so I am definitely not sure at this point what they are. I may have bought poison ivy for all I know.  After a weeks worth of watering, both have rebounded and new flower buds are emerging. I also pick up plants at yard sales and flea markets. They are usually at least 50% cheaper than the nursery. Make sure you also ask your friends if they have any extra flowers or plants and maybe they can split you off some bulbs or bunches. I was able to get a dozen iris bulbs from a coworker as well as a bucket of ornamental grass and two hosta plants from friends for free. Sure, your neighbors may have a huge marble fountain which cost a bazillion dollars sitting in the center of their yard surrounded by expensive topiaries in the shapes of African plains animals, argh! …. (take a deep breath Marc) … But they will marvel over the variety of plants you have in your own yard. Best of all, you will never have to tell them you saved it for a cheap price from impending death on the garden shelf at the local superstore!