posted 15 years ago
Michigan has sprung a leak, the horses and grounds are being washed... I get to take time to sip coffee, read the forums and watch the horses graze. It is a good morning! However, I will have to postpone the planting the new arrivals 'til tomorrow.
I am "maturalizing" my road frontage to abate the County's and electrical utilities sprays and mowers (and to keep me from having to mow, too!). I have 400 feet by 10 feet of slope to tame. To that end, I have been busily injecting my frontage with hodgepodge of flowering plants in a variety of color: manarda, bluetts, flowering almonds, herbs, lillies, iris, delphinium and just about plant a friend is willing to donate to the cause. But, I can't just count-on the few plants my friends are willing to part with and I've had to look to the greenhouses to fill the void.
Much to the consternation of my pocket-book, greenhouse shopping is expensive. I, simply, can not afford the market price on the perennials. I wondered the grounds of my local greenhouse in mild despair of finding any good buys until I reached the "employees only" area and took a quick peek inside.
I discovered my local greenhouse has a couple of dilemas: what to do with their potted flowering bulbs that did not sell (while in bloom) and what to do with plants that have been, mildly, affected by frost. After speaking with the owner, I discovered those plants were headed for the discount rack but most would be overlooked and end-up in the trash. I offered to take 100 plants off his hands for 50 cents each. He agreeded, provided I return the pots and trays. I'm not going to pay retail again... I can wait for these to flower, again, next season!
Does anyone else have tips for maximizing your dollar's mileage at the local greenhouse/garden center?