After everyone has put away their gardening toys and tools for the year, mine come out. This is the time of the year to plant perennials. One because they are on sale. And two because I’ve asked them and they would rather brave a cold winter with mulch on their feet than try to survive a hot summer.
Look at this loot that I found at Lowes.
I got all of this (12 plants) for just over eleven bucks! Those huge mums were a dollar a piece. I divided them into twos and threes, so each mum plant cost thirty-three to fifty cents each. That’s cheaper than garage sale prices and didn’t even have to dicker. I thought it funny that Lowes is packed tight in the spring with buyers galore, but the place was all but empty when I was there.
One guy was puzzled at this and said, “Fall used to be the time of year people bought their stuff and planted it. I wonder what happened.”
I think it’s the disease of instant gratification. If you can wait until fall for your loot, the savings are huge. Along with huge savings your plants will be happier, especially shrubs. Shrubs spend all summer storing energy for the winter. If you plant them in the fall they can just kick back, instead of having to adjust to their new setting and store food when you plant them in the spring and summer. Of course some gardening mishaps are hard to avoid.
The only thing better than a big perennial clearance sale is a neighbor who is dividing and wants to share and trade. I’ve got one of them too. Life is pretty good here in my wheat field.
What are your money saving garden tips?
Simply,
Sis
Tags: fall planting, homegrown, money saving garden tips, perennial dividing, perennial gardens, perennial on sale, perennial planting, perennials, save money on your garden, simple gardens
Darn good idea!
I call dibs on some splits from your mums next fall:0) I don’t have any white or red. Boy howdy, you know that plant that smells like root beer….you can smell it when you walk by it right now, without rubbing the plant…lushious. It is ready to be split if you have room.
OH MY GOSH! I almost forgot to go to my Lowes and get my loot! Thanks for reminding me. It how I got all my butterfly bushes and black eye susies and a bunch of daisies and stuff last year and they were beautiful this year. Only one plant didn’t make it, and I was too embarassed to take it in and try and get a new one for it since I got EVERYTHING for under $20. (The butterfly bushes were each originally $19.99 and I got 5 of those as well as all the other stuff.)
Sweeeet! I know where I’m going to go on Monday!!!
Thanks!
Sherri