Hi Evelyn,
Try the Freecycle Network. http://www.freecycle.org/
Here's in the Gainesville, Florida area there are a lot of participants and many offer up the packing peanuts. Check ours out to see how busy it is. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclegainesville/
Molly
Plant Packing Tips...See Pictures 1-8
A friend of mine used packing peanuts to stuff some bean bag chairs she made...
I wanted to add a link here to today's article on
Trading Plants: How to Pack Plants for Shipping by Mail.
It's a photo tutorial on wrapping and packing multiple bare root plants. :-)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1202/
Hi All,
I used to work in the post office and they dont squash them on purpose they sorted by hand in the past but think they now use a machine and the heavy packages are thrown on top of the small one and that is why they get crushed. Fran
Fran, I'm sure you're right about the downside of machine sorting... that's why it's good to use packing material inside boxes and sturdier boxes also... although at times I'm tempted to skimp in order to keep a little package under 13 oz so I can send it first class! LOL
Hi All, I was in the post office yesterday and noticed they added some more flat rated boxes. Bigger than the ones for about 9dollars. A couple dollars more but lots more room. Would be good for daylilies or bulbs in bulk. Fran
As I have said before, I have rarely sent a box that weighs over one pound, thus Priority boxes are much cheaper. A pound or under is only $4.75 and the boxes come in so many sizes and shapes. I order them with free delivery from the PO. They used to keep a supply in the PO, but I guess they'd rather sell those $8.00 - $9.00 ones.
If the box does weigh over a pound, it is not that much more, depending on it's destination. You can go to the USPS website and print out a weight schedule. You can also order the boxes online, free delivery to you. They come in bundles of 25 - I keep a supply of all sizes. I have shipped well over 2,000 boxes and can't remember when I had one that cost $8.00.
When you print out your address label, you also get free delivery confirmation. No more standing in line with a stack of boxes. My little digital scale is the answer, and I marked out 36 inches with a marker on my formica desk so I can meausre them quickly. I print out the label and cut off the half with the receipt to staple on my copy of the packing slip for my records. I use a paper cutter to cut off the label - then I lay the label on my desk and put 2" clear tape on all 4 sides, pull it off the desk and slap it on the package.
I also have a stamp to mark them Perishable.
This message was edited Jul 29, 2008 10:04 AM
Azelia,
I was over at the postoffice and I didnt see that many boxes . MOst of them were for sale and not free. Fran
This is what I said, they don't keep the freebies anymore for Priority, you have to order them. I got an order blank at the PO for the first ones I ordered a few years ago - now I fax in my order or do it online.
You can also order the boxes and any other supplies by going to USPS website....here is the pages for supplies: http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13354&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820 Hope this helps.
Molly
Thanks, MollyMc!
I took 5 large blue recycle bags full of peanuts to the local UPS store. They just said thank you. I am sure someone pays for these in the beginning. I have also gone back and given them clean boxes with peanuts, since, as the boxes we have here are not clean.
I recycle all the clean ones, and the dirty ones are waiting for fall in the "burn pile", with all the dried weeds and leaves and pineneedles. I have tried composting, and it ended up to be a messy garbage pile. Maybe later on, I will invest in one that you turn and out comes the "liquid gold". Well, maybe not liquid but better than having to buy mulch in bags from Home Depot. Does anyone has any of those?
Evelyn
I had several cases of Priority boxes that I no longer for that particular size. I had my son take them to our local post office at night and left them at the door to the back part of the office. Hopefully, that put some out front. (I removed the labels from the box so that couldn't readily ID for brought them.
Ive bought hundreds of plants via mail and i hate it when the sellers lets the plant move around in the box. "Lets just say the post contractors don't be careful with parcels even when you write fragile on them". I found the bast way to receive and send plants is wrapping them like you have kim but taping them to the box(box has to be strong so it won't squash). This is neally the only way the plant doesn't move crushing its own leaves. I just use a knife to cut the tape to unpack. I'd rather take longer to unpack then risking wrecking the plant. I feel if a seller has gone to all the trouble of careful packing and taping it shows they care abit. Sending the plant in the pot usually ends up falling out and wrecking it more. just my 2cents worth! hehe!
From the receiver's end, it helps a lot to know when opening what side of the box the plant is taped to... :-)
Old news the postage has gone way up. I sent a very small box and it cost over 7 dollars priorty. from fla to miss.Fran
Just want to add a few things based on my experience as a USPS employee:
For domestic mail, it is better to mark the package "Live plants" than "Perishable". Also, do everything possible to ensure your package will not leak. Packages with wet spots are immediately designated as "potentially hazardous" and REMOVED from the mail stream for safety.
Addresses, both return and delivery, should be placed parallel to the LONG side of the package. Both addresses should be on the same side of the package: return address in the upper left corner; delivery address more or less centered in the lower 1/2 of the item (either envelope or package). Also, the bottom line of the delivery address should be AT LEAST one inch above the bottom edge of the item.
Either type or write the delivery address clearly, without any punctuation, using a permanent black ink marker so that it can be read an arm's length away.
If hand-writing the address, use block letters and be as precise as possible. (A zero that has a little bit of "tail" on top can/will be read as a six by the sorting machines.)
Packages weighing over 13 ounces WITH stamps already affixed must be taken to a Post Office and accepted by a clerk; otherwise, it will be returned to you.
Although the Post Office receives a lot of flack, most misdirected and delayed mail is due to *how* the item is addressed: unclear writing, incomplete addresses, etc. For example, my P.O. here in KS receives mail every single day for a town in New Jersey whose zip code begins with zero and has the last 4 digits the same as ours - that zero is mistaken for a six., usually because the handwriting is not clear. Sorting machines do the best they can - with what they have to work with, so "help" the machines by following the USPS guidelines as closely as possible.
Great tips -- thanks!
One more tip (which is probably above somewhere). Put clear packing tape over the places where you have written the addresses. A postal employee told me that sometimes things are misdirected because the putside of the box gets rained on and they can't read the addresses.
This thread is great.
Donna
You can also get the clear plastic stick on sleeves to put your printed label in, seal it up, stick to the box and all stays neat and dry. These are free through the Click 'n Ship USPS site.
Thanks Molly. This is so good to know. Freebies from the post office. Almost too good to be true!
Ya'll know anything about the FEDEX shipping boxes? The ones they're advertising now, for one price for whatever fits inside the box? Please, LMK. Thanks!
I might also suggest (this may have been mentioned before), that it is a good idea to see a photo of the plant you are going to receive. That way there won't be any surprises, and no complaints to Dave. These days most people have a digital camera or can take a photo with their phone.
Be particularly careful with Hostas, that can carry a virus which will spread to your plants. Another list I'm on is all upset about a person that is trading her Hostas even though she knows they are infected.
lakesidecallas...very very TRUE. If not a camera, please describe exactly what you are shipping, size, condition, etc. I don't like drama...but I have definitely been in a position that I did not receive nearly what was sent. Condition etc. But I have learned in this trading business that if it's something I really really want. I will love it, nurse it, and bring it to my liking :-) But who complains to Dave??? LOL
Just looking through the pics...Boy oh Boy! 2005 was the good ol' days when Postage wasn't Painful!! LOL???
My boxes are costing $9, $12, and more! And you use to could use stamps! Trading just isn't them same...
Dear Kim, I'm so pleased you are still on this thread. Thank you for making something I was unwilling to do, out of fear, so easy. I have shipped all kinds of this with your great guidance, including bulbs in bud that were planted and bloomed within days at their destinations! The info you have given us facilitates relationships. Do you kow how great it is that, ultimately, you help people build relationships?
Donna
This message was edited Apr 23, 2010 7:05 PM
Hi Donna, Thank goodness we are both still here! Gardening gets better and better. And the more I look around my yard I see all my friends at Dave's Garden. I have plants I received many years ago from folks here. Very very rewarding. I think I owe half my Garden to Carol! Weezingreens...I was walking through the gardens yesterday and could remember where I got some of the plants. But I know I traded for most and came from Dave's.
I remember when I came from the other site (The one who sent me to Disney! LOL) Someone here sent me a beautiful Texas Gold Columbine..Don't know or remember his name. But it wasn't even a trade. He said "Let me send you these" for no reason!
I just noticed! It was TODAY 5 years ago I posted this thread..ha ha ha
This message was edited Jun 16, 2010 12:45 PM
Exactly! I think it's great!
Since I am a recent to trading, I can remember who gave me every single plant. It's Steve's peony or Neal's geraniums or Felisia's thalictrum, Pam's digitalis and Tracey's delphinium.
Wonderful. Thank you again.
Donna
Thank you ,
That is easy and well splain That is all i needed to know !
sending out my first trade today ....
This message was edited Jun 16, 2010 12:16 PM
Great! You'll do just fine. Good Luck mailing your first plants! :-)
Happy Gardening
Kim I'm sending off peppermint runners with roots. Any advice? It's my first time sending something living in a trade so I'm a bit worried. I can do shredded paper but I'm not sure how to do the roots since the runners are usually located so close to them.
May I give you some tips ......
Rinse most of the soil off in a bucket of water.
Just spread out a piece of plastic wrap about 12" wide/long
Then lay a piece of paper towel on this,
then lay out the roots and runners and wrap them carefully with the paper towel,
wet the paper towel from a bottle and bend them up to form a pouch
wrap another towel or 2 over this and wet again.
Then wrap these up in the plastic wrap from underneath.
Lay out a newspaper diagonally and place the plant on it, wrap the whole thing up and secure with masking tape.
Use a box that will be large enough not to smash the plants, but as small as possible to keep shipping cost down. I fill in any spaces with crinkled newspaper, but not too tight.
I have shipped many hundreds of plants with this method - works like a charm.
Print your shipping lable using Click & Ship- you get free Delivery Confirmation this way and you don't have to stand in line at the PO., just drop them off. Good luck.
Thanks Azalea. I'm hoping the box I bought isn't too small. My dad, who use to work in the post office, said it should work fine. I have it all ready to pack up in the morning since my son is quite the distraction this evening.
Very Good advice from azalea I hope it helps:-) Thanks..
I don't even use shredded paper anymore..I can sure tell this was in 'The Beginning' LOL
Most Plants Live Bare Root in Plastic for quite some time. So actually you could rinse this plant let it dry on the counter a little, place it in a plastic bag...little peat moss or none. I would suppose this isn't a beginner method but it is amazing how well this does work. This past year I kept plants for months this way. Just threw them in the closet and planted in Spring and they all grew lovely.
But maybe this is too much info for the first time shipping...But Good Luck and I'm sure whatever method you choose you should be fine.
Hummmmmmmmm - This might be ok if the weather is "Just Right" - but if it's too hot, your roots might well be "cooked" if left in bare plastic. I believe the damp paper towels help to insulate and protect them . I remember recieving some plants wrapped in bare platic and they were total mush and unusable.
In the middle if Summer? Yes I would definitely suppose. This is only done in Fall-Late Winter for me (Nov-Mar). I sent a bunch of bare root plants today. Some in plastic and some not. I should have mentioned the time of the year..wouldn't want anyone thinking they could ship plants in plastic during the summer...ha ha!
Maybe this would help resolve the difference between :
"tape them down so they don't rattle"
vs
"but then they're hard to get out"
Maybe cut a piece of cardboard from some other box, so that it fits snugly into the bottom of your shipping box. Now it's like a removable floor. Tape things down to that floor, then drop it into the shipping box. Maybe cut and bend that "floor" so it's a U-shape wedged in place.
The reciepient can open the box, tip it over, and the floor plus plants will drop right out. Now they can reach eveything easily to cut, tear or soak as needed.
At work once, we received an industrial computer very securely packaged and padded in very heavy cardboard. This was via UPS, which is usually less random than USPS. Well, that box had been so mangled and crushed that the HEAVY STEEL CASE the computer was embedded in had been dented, twisted, and a weld sprung loose.
You probably couldn't have done that by throwing it down a flight of stairs onto concrete. We speculated that they must have backed a forklift into it fast and pinched it against a concrete piling. Or their sorting machines included a hydraulic press!
(It was so expensive that when we placed a claim, UPS sent an inspector. His eyebrows went up and he approved the claim right away.
Nothing can protect anything against the occasional creative shipper!
Corey
That's a good way to use cardboard to secure your plants! I have a huge stash of packing peanuts to reuse, so I just put plenty of them on all sides to secure & protect the plants in the box. :-)
Corey ~ If you ever get an order from Forest Farm, you will be challenged to get the plants out of those boxes. They are really in there and the boxes are not just taped but stapled as well.
So far, plants from DG people have been packed MUCH better than mail order plants ... "Hirt's Garden" is my only MO experience. They held soil in place with copious grass, moss and weeds growing in the pot ... plus a TINY, TINY bit of the Lavatera that I had paid for ... or rather, apparently, a somewhat different cultivar than had been advertised.
Corey
OUCH! I hope you filed a claim with them.