Spring is the perfect time for dividing and repotting perennials. I have two gardens I am removing and several new gardens I am adding. So I need more plants and different varieties.

photo credit: gitsul.

Since the weather is still unstable (It’s actually nicer than normal, but I am a zone 5 so it’s a cool climate) I am just digging up one of the perennial gardens, diving the plants and repotting them. They will be repotted and stored in a mini greenhouse until the flea market, which is in 2 weeks.

Some of the plants will be used for the new gardens. These would be Hostas, Daisies, Black Eyed Susan’s, Rock Cress, Red Sedum, Bee Balm and several other ground covers.

There are several perennial varieties I planted that I did not like and they are heading to a flea market to be sold for more money for new plants. So in all I have 11 varieties that will be repotted and put up for sale in the next few weeks.

photo credit: qi.Thomas
I have saved plastic pots from other years and picked up additional pots at an auction. Today I washed them in hot water and dish soap and let them dry. Then I rewashed them in soapy bleach water to kill any disease. I will let them dry naturally and then use them for my new perennial divided plant. The plants will have two weeks to get over transplant shock and look good.

I use my own mix of garden soil, compost and potting soil for the repotted perennials. I use each soil in equal parts.

I will make sure the perennial plants are marked well and have growing instructions with. I have found additional growing information helps the plants sell faster and I also sell more to each customer.

At this time I have over 500 plants to trade and will have more in a few weeks. These plants sell for $2 to $3 dollars each.

The money from these plants will be spent at a local perennial farm that charges $2 a scoop for perennial plants. I can usually divide each scoop I buy into 4 to 8 plants, depending on the plant type. I keep half of the plants and sell half so that I can continue to add to my plant varieties.

This year I am looking for more ground covers and bulbs.

So if you looking for new plant varieties try dividing your perennials and selling or trading for plants you don’t have. You may also have a nursery or plant garden nearby that offers reasonable priced plants that can be divided.

Tips for trading plants

• Plant in nice pots and give them a chance to adjust to the pot
• Mark the variety and offer growing instructions
• Be open to trading for plants
• Ask friends and neighbors if they might want to trade plants
• Look for specials at garden centers.
• You may want to buy plants with a friend and trade half of the plants.

Spring is the perfect time for replanting, dividing and purchasing new plants. If they are planted and can adjust to their new home before the days become hot the plants will grow better and healthier in their first year.

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At this time of year you can save money on plants that nurseries and garden center so not want to over-winter. The plants have usually been picked over so make sure that the plant is healthy and have not suffered neglect.
photo credit: Putneypics

If the plant looks healthy and meets your yards requirements, take it home and plant  as soon as possible.

With shrubs and trees I plant the plants as quickly as possible so that the roots will have a chance to start to grow before late fall and early winter set in. I usually plant them the same day as I bring them home.

I make sure the plants are deep watered each week until frost starts to hit my area (I am a zone 5 so that late October or early November). To deep water properly I use a one-gallon milk jug and poke a hole in the side with a nail. This will let the water slowly soak into the root system where it is needed.

When winter sets in I mulch around the shrub or tree with about 4 inches of mulch. It’s important to make sure the mulch does not touch the tree or shrub trunk. The trunk will breath better if the mulch does not touch. And mulch helps to protect the new roots that have started to grow.

At this time you may also want to decide whether to stake your new plants or use a canvas cover for wind protection.

I recently bought shrubs on sale at a store that didn’t want to over winter them. They were only $2 a piece for shrubs that were 3 to 4 foot tall and usually sold for $20 to $40.
photo credit: cliff1066

But before I bought them I wrote down the shrub name and came home and looked them up on the Internet. I wanted to know how tall they were, how much upkeep they needed and what their growing requirements were. The next day I went back and purchased shrubs. They were $1 a piece at that time.

I looked the shrubs over and selected the hardiest. My selections included, Barberry “Rose Glow”, two varieties of highbush cranberries, and juniper “Gold Cone.” There is still one shrub that I need to identify the variety. I know it’s an old-fashioned shrub variety but I haven’t narrowed the variety down by the name on the plant tag.

These bushes will be used in the front yard in new garden areas and in the side of the backyard. The smaller varieties will go in the front yard and the larger cranberry bushes will go in the side backyard.

There is still time to plant trees and this is the best time to divide perennials. If you have a friend or neighbor you can trade perennial plants with you will be able to save a lot of money and increase your perennial varieties.
photo credit: prudencebrown121

These free plants will add color to your yard for years to come.

Technorati Tags: dividing perennials, frugal gardening, save money on shrubs, save money on trees

At this time last year I decided to start a perennial gardening business. I wanted to make better use of my backyard plus I am plant addicted and feel you really can’t have enough plants.
photo credit: cliff1066

During the summer I collected plants and in the fall I set up a starter garden for the perennials. Theses were for the plants I bought, found or traded for. I divided the perennials that you divide in the fall and covered the soil with a heavy mulch to stop weeds from growing and to protect the plants from heavy frosts.

This spring I worked the mulch into the ground and found more plants to add to the collection. I also divided many of the plants that should be divided in the spring. My plants quadrupled in a twp week times from dividing plants. The divided plats will be ready to sell in the fall.

Last year at this time I had about 150 perennial plants. This year I have 2000 plants that are a good size and healthy. By fall, even with sales I will have about 5000 plants.

My goal was to start a perennial gardening business on a budget by finding or trading plants and purchasing plants that could be easily divided for more new plants. I wanted to set up a backyard business that is enjoyable.

I spent $50 last year and have made $500 this spring just selling a few plant varieties I don’t like to grow. In the fall I hope to have a business that can be run full time.

Where to find Free Plants

From your friends when they divide their perennials
From houses that are going to be torn down. Ask first!
From greenhouses at the end of their season
Along the road and abandoned houses.

This last week stopped at two garage sales and they had beautiful gardens. I asked what they did with their plants when they divided plants and worked in the garden and they admitted they just tossed them. So I made arrangements to pick up their “homeless” plants. I have 4 boxes of plants (about 200 plants and 12 new varieties) and in a few weeks I will be getting more perennials.
photo credit: carterjk

I also plan to sell my bee balm patch that has taken over an old garden. It’s a lovely plant and I plan to keep some of the plants but I have dug up 100 clumps of bee balm and it’s going to a flea market tomorrow. The money I make from the plants will go to buy new plant varieties I don’t have.

Another suggestion that will save you money is to make your own compost for your plants which will cut back on buying soil.

Free  pots and garden containers can be found along curbs that are being tossed out or at garage sales.

So when it comes to saving money on plants, ask around. You will be surprised what plants you can get for free or for trading. It adds to the fun of gardening and makes for a prettier backyard garden area.

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