Free plants and trees

[Spirit Bear]

While I was reading the sacred grove booklet and how to get saplings if you don't have the money to buy them, I was thinking of the next.

Here in Belgium we have a kind of exchange marts for plants. Most of them are in februari, march. But there's not much ' exchange' in these markets.They're organised by plant hobbyist and everybody can go there and get plants, seeds, saplings, small trees from 1 to 1,5 m, herbs, etc. for free.
Maybe those kind of markets exists in other countries too and is it worthwhile to check out.

A few years ago I got 2 small silverbirches besides a lot of other plants from these markets and it's all growing very well at my allotment (I don't know if this is the correct english word for the dutch ' volkstuntje'.It's a small piece of land outside the city wich you can get from the city council to use. It's for people living in the city who don't have a garden.).

Blessings,

[Zylah]

Sounds like a great place altogether, Spirit Bear I don't think there's anything quite like that near here, but I was glad to read about the Arbor Day Foundation in the OBOD materials. We can all do something, wherever we are.

[blodyn]

Zylah,

If there is a native plant society in your area, many times they will host an annual sale of native trees and plants, or they will know who does. The cost is fairly low - I got 10 giant sequoias for $10 and about 30 peafruit roses for $15. In my area, the sale is handled by the local conservation district.

[merryb]

Hi spirit bear,

I also have an allotment near the sea in Southsea, uk. I love it and find that I have been given plants and herbs by other plot holders. I have been given cutting from fruit bushes but no trees so far. There have been some events where you could apply for a tree to plant. We also have a site call freerecycle which sometimes have interesting offers.

I have had my plot for three years now and I have planted 5 fruit trees so far. This is my retreat. The last tree I planted was a quince which arrived bare rooted in April. \it was frozen in the ground until then. It iwas a black stick with four crooked twigs and slightly hunched. I love it as it has soft pale green leaves which are furry underneath. It has four fruit as well. I also have a stick of an apple tree which has 20 apples on it. It seems almost to frail to carry such a burden. But it stood firm in 50 miles gales without dropping a single fruit.

You mentioned silver birch I do think they are so beautiful. I was thinking of planting one in my urban garden but at the moment the garden next door has a twenty foot evergreen shrub which shades part of my garden. So maybe an elderflower would be better. The birds, inscets and mamals would love it.

I will plant another tree next winter on my plot - undecided what to plant - crab apple, hawthorn, medler......any suggestions?

I used to have a wonderful blackberryhedge alongside my plot but the council in a health and safety moment rooted it out. I planted willow whips instead.

My plot is a blessing to me as I am sure yours is Spiritbear

with blessings
Merryb