Ways of economising with money

Have you thought of looking at the the supermarkets , I bought sempervivum for 1.50 from tesco and got bedding plants from there last year, aldi have good offers too, not sure about the others but they probably will too.

Morrisons usually have a decent garden section. I got a flat of 6 primroses a couple years back for about £3 I think. They were a good size as well (and have been lovely little plants). I had my nans Camelia from there as well. Can't remember how much but I know it was cheaper than most places.

Some of the plants at Morrisons can be a little small (especially perennials and shrubs), but for the price your paying its hard to grumble.

I've been starting a fair few plants from seeds this year (most of which are freebies from magazines and the like). The only thing I've purchased so far is the compost (which I've found a place by moms which sells a great multipurpose compost at a really good price). I've been saving fruit and tomato containers from the supermarkets to use as my seed trays. So far they've been working really well. When it comes to potting on, if I run out of pots I may make my own paper pots from old newspapers.

I always take cuttings from friends shrubs....costs nothing...otherwise for bedding plants I use seed....a lot cheaper than buying plants...OK...it does take a while for them to develope...but I like the exitement watching them grow.

Just outside of our town is a nursery that sells pots of bedding plants at £1 a pot, all one has to do is thin them out and grow them on at home, they also have a bargain section in their polytunnels that we check out each season, leftover stock and they just need a little TLC, always worth the effort and saves us a fortune, I was wondering if you might have something similar where you live Diane...

Watch out for private plant stalls outside garden gates. I have one for my excess plants. Generous prices, but I don't do bedding.

the other possibility is the garden centre's attached to b&q. i frequent them and often purchase end of season 2 for 1 chuck-outs.

if you are buying a perenial, get a good plant a look to see if it can be divided before planting

There is often a plant stall outside the church door
at a Flower Festival. Worth remembering where they
are. There is usually one at Brigstock, Lincslass.