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.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, dividing perennials, flower garden, free plants, perennial garden, perennial garden business, perennial plants, plant care, thegardenersrake.com

Spring weather has finally arrived in NW PA. I have a few vegetables and flowers started in the greenhouse and cold frames but its not really planting season. And this is the time of year I set aside to evaluate the land and choose my large landscape design projects for the summer. And this year my design projects are going to be a challenge.
photo credit: king nikochan

But while wandering the land I found a few water plants I could move to various parts of the yard and decided since I was already a muddy mess I might as well go on a Free Plant foraging expedition.

I have made note last fall of a few abandoned houses that had bulbs and a few perennials that were in need of being divided. I also know of a place nearby the Conewango Creek that has beautiful water iris and blue flag iris.

So I loaded up a shovel, spade and trowel and took an extra pair of high water boots and set out on a foraging adventure. My first stop netted me snowdrops, tulips, daffodils and Chinese Lanterns. My next stop at an old abandoned house (I asked the owners last year if I could dig up flowers in the spring) added forget me nots, violets, bergamot, iris, creeping myrtle, chinese lanterns and a few hostas.
photo credit: dysviz

My vehicle had close to 100 plants in it so I thought I would have room for one more stop. I saved the best for last. Water and mud!

Down by the Conewango creek, one the one island is the most beautiful iris plants, water iris and blue flag. Being on the island edge and in a muddy area it was time for the water boots, pails and plastic bins. I dug out about 30 plants and figured that would be enough for one days adventure.

When I returned home I put most of the plants in my nursery area I have set up for plants that need a home before being planted. But the water plants were placed in my bog garden off to the side in a trench until I could get them planted.

Most of these plants will be planted in the backyard, which is being re-designed this year, but few will be traded with friends for other plants I want. These trades help supply me with new varieties of flowers or vegetables seeds for the garden areas.

Foraging and trading for plants will fill your backyard with wonderful plant varieties, save you money and add adventure to your day. I always have a unique experience when I am out and usually make a friend or two.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, flowers, foraged and free plants, free plants, landscaping

One of the most under rated and amazing highlights of living in rural NW PA are the winding dirt roads. You never know what lies around the next corner.

Today I was on two dirt roads. One road connects Russell and Warren Pa. The wildlife and wild shrubs and flower stun me every time I walk this road. Bamboo gives the roadside a wild look.

Blackberries and raspberries line the road and will feed the wildlife in a month or two. There are many elderberry bushes, which are becoming rare in many areas with all the development of country land.
photo credit: ClatieK

There are also large moss covered rocks and ferns growing along many of the ravines where small streams flow. Add to this the color from the wild flowers and this road is breath taking each time you travel it.

There are many endangered plant varieties on this road. I carry a Roger Tory Peterson plant guide to help me identify the plants I don’t know. To top the scenic view off the Conewango creek borders this road and the view and sound of running water form this historic creek completes the journey. Today I watched as four canoes docked on one of the islands to fish.

One this road I always see deer, turkey and pheasant. Last week I saw the smallest fawn. It’s like being out in the woods far way from the world.

My other dirt road adventure was a pleasant surprise. I saw a sign on a road to Scandia that said free plants. A lady was removing most of her perennial flowerbeds and many shrubs.
photo credit: unforth

I filled my Ford Taurus wagon once and made plans to go back tomorrow, Yuccas, thee hosta varieties, lilies, iris plants, tiger lilies, and about six other perennial plants have a new home. I also can have four shrubs. This will help make over my front yard and give my friends new plants.

I enjoy rescuing plants when I can, plus the garden talk and trading secrets always add to the adventure. There are too many plants to get into their permanent home this weekend but I will use a trench method or raised beds to hold some of the plants until next week.

Tip: if you end up with to many plants you can cut a trench in the ground. Put a softer soil in the trench (I use compost or soil that I have mixed leaf mold or straw in) and place the plants in the trench at a 45-degree angle.

Cover the roots gently and water well. This will keep the roots moist until you can get the plants into their new home. You can hold plants safely for one week using this method.

Technorati Tags: country living, free plants