Free garden by spring !

You can start now during the fall to get a beautiful garden by spring for free ! Fall is when most seed pods mature and ready to harvest. There are also bulbs that can be dug and separated. Even clippings to be rooted. You can get new varieties by trading off from the varieties you already have. You can also use the fall season to collect seeds of local plants in public spaces or by friends or neighbors who allow you to take some seed pods or even clippings. You can get new bulb varieties from friends or family as well as trading any extras you have to others since they require digging.

If collecting seeds you should either know the plant type or take a picture to identify it later. Knowing the plant type will help you research the germination instructions for each seed type you collect. Some will require a winter to break dormancy to germinate. For beginners germinate means the seed opens and a plant starts to grow. If your area is not cold enough yet you can start this process in the refrigerator.

Another great source of new seed varieties is seed exchange groups on social media like facebook. I like to choose people that I can trade for the most varieties as to conserve my stamps and make sure you only choose seeds that are not noticeable in an envelope or holiday card as shipping can add so they fewer stamps or postage needed the better am I right ?! I also like to post the bigger heavier seeds or bulbs in social media buy sell groups for my area to trade with other local people for new plant varieties or even just sell off my excess to pay for stamps for seed trades or to buy cheap plants from other local people who sell excess from their gardens.

Once you have some seeds and bulbs collected you can start potting them to germinate them. Research each type of plant to check moisture, light and temp requirements. I use full spectrum grow lights in an indoor plant area or my cheap greenhouse ( lightweight metal frame and plastic covering I am testing for full winter functionality in my zone this winter season and so far is doing well through the fall. ) As the plants sprout and grow watch for repotting needs. By spring these plants will be good nursery sized plants for planting in your garden after the last chance of frost has past. I wait an extra bit due to one year a final freeze came a bit after the predicted last and many people in my area lost plants they had put out already.

For clipping you should start rooting them right away after cutting. Check clipping guidelines of each plant variety. Then lightly remove just the outer most layer from the bottom couple inches of the clipping. Dipping in a rooting hormone can help the rooting process but can be done without it or with natural alternatives such as cinnamon. Place the prepared clipping into the potted medium such as soil or perlite. It can take weeks for roots to grow so it is best to cover clippings to prevent moisture loss. Most plant types recommend clipping all but a lower leaf to preserve plants energy for roots. It is also usually recommended to place clipping close together in the same pot to help prevent moisture loss while new roots are growing to take in moisture again.

You will want to start more clippings and seeds then you need because most likely only a percentage will grow. Any excess can be sold or traded come spring. Some have a real talent for rooting or germinating while others may find you will want to start with quite a few extras as to ensure plentiful plants for spring needs. You can also ask around or post in social media asking for anyone's left over unplanted seeds from the season as most prefer fresh seeds each year. These seeds can usually still be germinated despite many just being thrown away at the end of the season each year.

You can also offer work for plants as many people such as elderly need garden help and will give extras from their garden as payment. I like to dig and separate bulbs for people in exchange for excess bulbs for myself. You can also get clipping from trimming for people however spring is the best season for that as trimming stimulates new growth that can be damaged by winter. You can usually get seed collecting permission for raking leaves or other such light chores.

Happy gardening and I hope you have a plant space or greenhouse full of beautiful grown plants to transplant into your garden this coming spring !