Finding Plants on a Budget

Are you try to find edible plants on a budget? Apparently big box stores have quite the end of season clearout of their perennials.  A friend happened to be at Lowes just after Thanksgiving when they were getting ready to throw these plants out. She was able to snag a bunch of fruit plants for a dollar each. She shared her find with me, loading the back of the van with pink lemonade blueberries, catawba grapes, and a thornless blackberry. 

Not knowing where to plant these (nor having the space prepared) made me reach out to my favorite UT Extension agent to see how to store them.  She confirmed that these plants will be just fine sitting outside in their pots all winter. She recommends getting them planted ASAP in the spring.  Therefore, I have a few months to determine the best placement for these plants. 

Next year, as you are doing your Christmas shopping, make it a point to check out the garden centers of those big box stores. Make connections with the people in the garden centers, especially the people who supply and care for the plants as they’re the best at knowing when plants are about to be trashed. And hopefully you too can find plants to grow your garden on a budget!

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