A little envelope recently showed up in my mailbox from my good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill. Inside it was packed with flower seeds. Just like that, my garden is on track to get a little bigger without spending a single dollar! It absolutely made me smile and reminded me of something I’ve known for years but don’t often talk about. Some of the best things in my garden didn’t come from the garden center. They came from a family member or friend’s garden, and my neighbor. All of them had more than they needed and were so kind to share with me. If you’ve ever thought a beautiful garden would cost a fortune, I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to.
“The tiny seed knew that in order to grow it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.” — Sandra Kring
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I’m Kim, and I’m a self-taught gardener with plenty of failed experiments, and a deep love for watching things grow. I’ve learned everything through trial, error, and 30+ years of getting my hands dirty in Michigan soil. I share what’s actually worked in my garden so you can skip some of the mistakes and get straight to the growing!
The Joy of the Garden Swap
In my opinion, gardeners are some of the most generouos people I know. They love to share their knowledge and their plants when they can. When Jennifer’s little envelope arrived at my home, it wasn’t just seeds inside. It was the homemade card and handwritten note, the time she took to put it all together. The little pieces of her garden making its way to mine. That’s what a garden swap is all about. It doesn’t have to be formal or complicated, and honestly, it usually never is.
It can be as simple as a neighbor digging up a clump of daylilies she doesn’t have room for, or a friend like mine dropping some seeds in the mail. These little exchanges are what a gardening community is built on. They make your garden feel more meaningful too. Every time I look at a plant that came from someone I love, there’s a story attached to it. That’s definitely something you can’t buy at a garden center!
Who Can You Gather Free Plants From?
Kim’s Pro Tip
Label your seeds as soon as you plant them. These waterproof plant markers work well. If the seed packet isn’t marked use a piece of tape and permanent marker to label it. This saves so much confusion later on.
Starting with What You already Have
Evaluate your own garden. Maybe you have hostas or daylilies that need to be divided or another perennial plant that could use some thinning. It’s the best way to fill in areas of your garden. Big Al and I wanted to try planting some grass but didn’t have a buddy source to get plants from. We purchased one plant and divided it into three. Remember to plant smart so it doesn’t break your budget!
Check out my post: 3 Gorgeous Pillar Plants for the Non-Expert Gardener. I share where we got our phlox plants and how we divided them.
I’ve done this all over my yard. I’ve moved a crowded hosta and phlox to another part of my garden, watching them double in size in one growing season. You don’t need any special tools, just a shovel, a good pair of gardening gloves, and new space to plant. Divide and move. You won’t believe how fast your garden will fill in.
What Plants Divide Easily?
Don’t Overlook the Power of Seeds
Seeds are the most underrated way to grow your garden and they cost next to nothing. When my enevlope from Jennifer came I felt like a kid on Christmas! Tucked inside were cosmos, zinnias, strawflower seeds and more. I could already envision them growing in different places in my garden. If you’ve never grown plants from seeds, don’t let that intimidate you. There are plenty of seeds you can get that can be grown directly in your garden beds with no special equipment. A little dirt, water, and sunshine is what they need.
If a friend or family member offers you seeds, say yes every single time. You can also save seeds from your own flowers at the end of the season. Once your flowers have bloomed and the seed heads have dried, simply collect the seeds, store them in a brown bag or envelope, and label them. Next season, you’ll have a head start and it’s free! How simple is that?
The Family Garden Connection
Plants passed between people who love each other have a way of thriving. The family garden connection runs deeper than just plants. It’s a chance to share a common interest, walk gardens together and talk. Just recently my middle son, who has become quite the gardener himself, surprised me with some tomato plants he grew from seed. I love that! It’s one of those little moments that meant so much, made me so proud, and very grateful all at once.
If you have family members who garden, whether it be flowers or vegetables, ask questions! Ask if they have anything to spare, you might be surprised what’s waiting for you. These plants will always mean more to you than any others you could buy at a garden center. And when they grow and thrive in your garden, you’ll think of the person that gave them to you every single time!
Plant/Seed Sharing – Frequently Asked Questions
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
You Best Garden is Already Out There Waiting!
Your dream garden doesn’t require a big fancy budget or a trip to the garden center. It might just require a phone call to your family or friends, a walk through your son’s backyard, or a little envelope from a good friend who thought of you! That’s how gardens grow. Not just in the ground but between people.
I hope this post gave you the nudge you needed to look around at what you already have, at the people you love, and say yes the next time someone offers you a division or a handful of seeds. Start small. Be generous with what you grow and watch what God does with it!
Happy planting!
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My Favorite Garden Supplies
Such a great post Kim. Last season my sister in law gave me some Hostas and some Day Lillie’s from her garden. She wants to bring me some different ones this year. And I just received a package of sunflower seeds to plant from our real estate agent that we used to purchase our house from.. she sends them each spring and I look forward to planting them each year. This year they are the giant version. You’re right that when you receive plants from friends and family it makes your garden more special because every time you look at the plant do you think about them?
Thanks, friend! I love sunflowers, too! Jennifer sent me some and I need to get them in the ground this week!
I love sharing plants and being gifted plants! So fun.
It is and the best way to get them!
Saturday, I came home with a bunch of plants from my mother’s yard. She gave me succulents and some Lily of the Valley. Amanda gave me Iris from her yard. My friend, Robyn gave me some hostas plants. It’s so much fun swapping and sharing plants.
It is fun and means so much more when it comes from people you know! I’m going to grab some stuff from my son’s yard before he sells his house.
Kim, I definitely have plants to share! I have lots of peonies, phlox, black eyed Susan’s, daisies, etc. If you have an empty corner, just let me know. I can fill it for you!
That would be amazing! Thanks Ruth. I’ll keep you posted!