Starting a garden can get costly if you’re not careful. It’s easy to become distracted by all the beautiful plants and flowers while visiting a nursery, and it can be challenging to resist the urge to scoop them all up and head to the checkout counter. But, the secret to successfully gardening without busting your budget is finding free seeds and plants. That way, you can save money without skipping on getting your hands on all those wonderful plants you want.
We’ve spoken to the experts and will show you how to get free seeds and plants so you can start growing your garden without spending a dime.
Seed Swaps and Exchanges
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Did you know there are events where you can barter the seeds you have for new types? Community gardens, farmer’s markets, and local gardening clubs hold events where gardeners can meet up and swap seeds. To find local events, you can use seed swap directories such as Seed Savers Exchange and Sustainable Food Places.
You can also check with your local library, online gardening groups, and nurseries. Another option is to host your own seed swap with fellow gardeners you know.
Online Gardening Groups and Communities
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Joining gardening groups and forums is another excellent way to find free seeds and plants. You can find local groups on Facebook where people in your area may be looking to trade plants and seeds.
The American Horticultural Society is another resource for finding gardening clubs in your area. They break it down by region, and you can research various clubs in your state. In addition to finding seed swaps and exchanges, getting involved in groups and clubs connects you with other gardeners who can share their knowledge on all types of gardening topics.
Check Companies for Free Seeds and Plant Giveaways
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Sometimes, you can find free seed offers and promotional giveaways from various companies. A simple online search can help you find various places that are offering free seeds. For instance, Free Heirloom Seeds and Gardenary offer ways to get free seeds. They ask you to pay for postage, but it’s still a cheap way to start your garden.
You can also check with your local home and garden centers. Once, Ace Hardware gave us a free Dogwood tree cutting! It never hurts to call around and see if companies are offering promotional offers.
Ask Your Friends, Family, and Neighbors
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One of the easiest ways to find free plants and seeds is to tap into your network of friends, family, and neighbors. If you know anyone who also loves gardening, you can ask them if they have any additional seeds on hand.
Ask if they mind if you take cuttings from their plants so you can start your own. This is another opportunity to trade if you have a plant they would also like to propagate.
Libraries and Botanical Gardens
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Libraries have many resources for gardeners, including free seeds. Contact your local library to see if they have a seed library program you can participate in. Botanical gardens also have seed libraries where you can borrow, save, and return seeds when you harvest.
You can search online for a botanical garden near you or utilize directories from sites such as the American Horticultural Society or the American Public Gardens Association.
Save Seeds or Propagate Plants from Food Scraps
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Now, this doesn’t always work because grocery stores tend to sell “hybrid” vegetables and fruits, which means they are modified to have specific traits. This makes them either not grow true to type or may not produce viable seeds. However, there are some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, that you can save seeds from, depending on the type.
You can also propagate vegetables and herbs from food scraps to start new plants. Lettuce, celery, potatoes, onions, and ginger can be grown from plant propagation. The next time you have onions or potatoes sprouting on your counter, take the opportunity to try to grow them instead of tossing them in the trash.
Use These Resources to Get Free Seeds and Plants for Your Garden this Year
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As you can see, there are many ways to get ahold of free plants and seeds. This can drastically reduce expenses when starting your garden this year. Use all these ways to get various plants, herbs, and flowers to grow a flourishing garden or add to your beloved houseplant collection.
