Where do you find the best deals?

[mamabear05]

When you're buying new plants, trees, etc., where do you find the best deals? Do you normally order online, or go to a local garden center, or a place like Home Depot?

[Serenity]

I usually head for Walmart's garden department. They're cheap and if you're just looking for something run of the mill like bedding plants to give a bit of color, you'll probably be able to pick it up there. Normally I'm looking for things that are pretty common because I haven't got a lot of spare cash for the garden, but I still like it to look nice, so they serve my purposes.

[mamabear05]

Thanks.

[rubybeetle]

We try farmer's markets and the swapmeet first. We have found good prices on trees and veggies there. We order seeds and onion sets from Henry Field's. I often buy flowers or plants from wherever we are, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. It's like an addiction.

[msmeg]

I tend to shop local unless I want something different It saves the shipping and handleing and the plants are bigger and healthier.

For the best deal I always look in the destressed plants for ones I can save

Even Aldis sometimes has plants anf will quickly mark them down.

sharing with neighbors is also good do not be afraid to ask.. I have a neighbor who has an iris I do not have and I noticed it is getting so crowded it is not blooming well so I thought I would go see if I helped her divide it if I could have a start. and of course I have a pretty purple one I bet she would like.

[tater03]

We mostly use Walmarts garden center also. There is a place here called Marcs that sometimes have good deals on flowers and plants.

[Rose White]

I always buy bulbs in flowerpots in the spring after they have wilted. They are colossal blooms and yet they sell for 50 cents or $1. Dry them out and in the fall plant them in your garden.

If you live in a warm climate, you will have to store the bulbs in your freezer for a couple months after they have dried. Then plant them 6-8 weeks before they are scheduled to bloom.

Rose White, author
"Easy Gardens A to Z"