Hi everyone I thought id come and introduce myself after a few weeks of lurking unregistered. Ive recently become interested in gardening after having a bit of success with houseplants. I know im probably starting at the wrong time of year? But i only have a small concrete backyard with a few tubs and pots. Im going to have to do this as cheap as possible so i'm looking for tips on recyling things to use as containers and where to get the cheapest plants etc. Id love to grow things that look a bit unusual or exotic, but dont even know if I can living in Cheshire.
Hi Datura, I hope you find what your looking for here at GC, The best way to get yourself some cheap plants is to start propagating your own from seeds and cuttings, I know it all sounds a bit daunting but it's honestly very easy once you know how:WINK1: I highly recommend the Royal Horticultural Society's website (Home / RHS Gardening) as it has lots of information available for free and I'd also take a look in charity shops for used gardening books (especially the The Expert Series as they are invaluable and relativity cheap second-hand, usually only costing about £1) RHS Seeds Seed sowing techniques / RHS GardeningSeed: sowing indoors / Royal Horticultural SocietySeed: sowing hardy annuals in autumn / Royal Horticultural SocietyCuttings Cuttings: softwood / Royal Horticultural SocietyCuttings: hardwood / Royal Horticultural SocietyYoutube is also a great source of instructional videos if you still feel a little lost and feel free to ask questions on the forums! once you've got the hang of propagating plants then you can feel free to beg and barter plants with locals:WINK1: a good place to do this is on noticeboards and shop windows as well as free-ads and freecycle.org and not forgetting gumtree.com and also preloved.com you can also be a bit cheeky and pop round the neighbours and ask if you can have bit of one of their plants:yess: I usually use the incentive of giving them some back if cuttings take root:D I hope that gives you somewhere to start anyway - Aesculus
Hi Datura, welcome to Gardeners Corner So it was you lurking in the shadows, was it!!, well I'm glad you've come out into the light I live in West Cheshire as you can see, and while my garden is in a madcap Cottage style, I do grow Palms, Cannas etc, so I can't see any problem for you although you may have to bring some inside bearing in mind the last few Winters we've had.
Thankyou for all the wonderful tips! I will certainly be having a go at begging some cuttings and growing some seeds. Oooh its good to know that we are able to grow a few exotics here in Cheshire, I might have a go with a few mentioned if I can get away with bringing em in for the winter. Thanks everyone!
