Funding our obsession

I'd like to see unique ways in which we fund our gardening obsessions. Let's face it, it can get costly.

I, for one, put my change from buying coffee at work in a jar at the end of every week and then sit down when the jar is full and roll the coins. I put it in my savings account and withdraw when I need to. When I charge anything on a credit card (which we can't get away from much lately), I use that account to pay the bill.

Does anyone else have some unique ideas to share?

Yes, get a job as an estate gardener. Then you can spend someone else's money too! Worked for me.

Seeds. And, fortunately, DG friends' seeds.

Every Christmas I get a week's pay as a bonus. Then, at the end of the year, I also get paid for unused vacation time. I cash those 2 checks and put the cash in a safe place. (I know I should put it in the bank, but my bank account is joint with DH and this is my gardening money so I want to keep track of it!!). Then, come spring, I spend every dime on plants and landscaping :o)!!!!

I'm like Dave, seeds and trades.
All totaled I stay under $150 per year. Seeds, soil amendments and tools.
Andy P

I try not to think about it as I have expensive tastes. Luckily I am too short on room to just buy every plant I like.

When the tax refund comes back, I always save a certain amount towards plants. Seeds are cheaper for me too.

I haven't done it yet, but I've seen free perrenials and bushes if you go dig them out of the people's yards on Craigs List (in the FREE section). They frequently have stones and bricks if you go and get them, some folks will even help you load your truck.

I'm with Al though, I definitely try not to think about it, cuz I spend quite a lot on gardening stuff.

I opened a vacation club at work. Same as a Christmas club but the money is saved for plants. I spend more that I save so, like Al, I try not to think about it :>)

The state of NY funds my gardening efforts. It's called a paycheck LOL I'm always whining about not being able to retire, but the truth is I spend way too much on plants. Until I get more of this new yard done, building new beds, and that kind of thing, I can't retire. We also want to put in a good-sized garden shed and get a big generator. Put in a water feature. And the list goes on. I am wintersowing this year so I won't be buying a ton of perennials again.

In my own yard, I never buy anything that I don't know precisely where it's to be planted.

This is a real issue with me . . . I have just put in a new garden . . . ordered the plants - and find it very hard to resist buying stuff. sometimes I make mistakes. Last fall I had four "sum and substance" hostas delivered. they looked quite small and definitly the right colour as a background to "plum pudding" coral bells. The height is supposed to be 30 inches - what I didn't realize is the girth will be five feet! So, now I have to move them (and other plants to accomodate this move). I don't mind, because all the gardens will look better. But . . . sigh.

Meanwhile, I read about a wonderful source for sweet peas - so of course I order $13.00 worth of those seeds instead of $2.75 at Walmart. And now I read of a wonderful site for delphinium seeds . . . How is a rookie to resist?

I could trade . . . but I am so new I don't have much to trade with. In a few years maybe . . .

So - what is your trick for resisting temptation (I avoid the nurseries as much as possible!)

Buck, even if you know precisely where it's to be planted, it can be expensive :0) starting with a blank slate and a reasonably large lot 4 years ago, I've had a lot of 'building' to do. and I have to pay to have a lot of the 'grunt' work and hardscaping done. DH and I both have medical problems. I don't expect instant gratification, but I'm getting too old to 'plant an acorn and wait for an oak', if you know what I mean. I plan all of my new beds carefully, shop around online for plants. But I also want what I want. I'm not going to settle for whatever red climbing rose I can buy at Wal-Mart, even though it might be lovely.

by the time I'm done I'd be happy if the only grass I have left, front and back is in the paths (or about 5 feet tall with beautiful pink plumes LOL)

gram

Gram - I totally agree with all you said, especially the acorn line! I loved it. Loved your comments about not settling, too! I feel the exact same way.

I see no reason my kids need to eat EVERY day.

Funny!

While we have over 1,000 daylilies, many our own unregistered hybrids, if I see one I feel I have to have (and I'm not talking about those high priced ones though some are gorgeous) I know I'll end up buying it and why not? I love the plants I trade for, love the ones people send me, even the seed to be raised by DH. But when I want something specific, like the Chihuly rose, nothing stops me from buying it. I'm living gram's "No acorns for me" policy.

victor, excellent attitude! children are spoiled today LOL why, when we were kids, if we wanted a new rose we had to walk uphill to the nursery, ...both ways, ...in the snow

Absolutely, gram! I had two siblings and my mother would only cook enough food for two kids so we learned the arts of guile and self - sufficiency. Sometimes when taking my kids to school, I start driving away before they are in the car - promotes exercise and appreciation for the implements of today's sedentary world.

Victor

I'm in there with Gram and Pirl, I want what I want within reason, of course.

And Seandor, welcome. Some of us do trades for postage. That would be a good way to get you started on trading, and if you're prompt with your postage, a good recommendation in the feedback area, that will help you to get trading in the future. If you are interested contact me in the spring, and I'll let you know what I have available to start your trading career off LOL.

well, I just paid off all my credit cards so they can be empty for spring!!!!! lol.... just kidding... I am new at this and I spent way too much money in annuals last year so I am trying to get annuals from seeds this year... I got seeds from Value seeds and from selected seeds...they were not as expensive as parks seeds...

and some perenials I am going to get from Green Mountain Transplants...

I have asked my family and friends to give me plants or gift certificates for plants for xtmas, b-day and any time they want to give me something...

Wise move, Kassia. Keep a list of your favorite places so you can always give them either a web address or a toll free number for those gift certificates. Happy gardening!

Very funny Victor!

Seandor, dmail me your address. [You are not in the exchange] I have some leftovers that you can have.

Anita

grampapa - would you consider starting a "No acorns" thread?

No acorns here ......if I want it, I buy, w/in reason. Like pirl, I won't spend $100-200 on a daylily. It will come down in price eventually and i'll buy then. Or I will find something just as nice and not nearly as expensive. Like gram, I shop around all winter and find the best quality for the best price, then purchase it if I so desire.

Seandor, I have seeds to share too if you would like some d-mail me your address.

pirl, here's the 'no acorns' thread, as requested

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/688423/

I d-mailed Seandor, told her to come on back, bet she doesn't know we're talking 'bout her.

This message was edited Jan 29, 2007 7:25 AM

Seandor is a she :0)

Thanks, changed my post.

Maybe our DG names should be pink for women and blue for men?

Thanks, gram! I'm going over to the link right now.

my name is blue so it's right, computer note - if my name is green then delete all cookies and it will turn back to blue - end of transmission.

I never know when you're teasing, Al. At the bottom there are four lines:
Dave's Garden is green.
The Northeast Gardening forum is green.
Back to the top of this thread is green.
Unwatch thread is blue.

What does that mean?

gram and I are the only names I see, on this page, in green.

Once you click on it, it turns green.

bingo!
there are no pink options though sorry

When I click on it I get red print.

When you mouse over it, it's red. Once you've clicked on it, it stays green.

Now we all have post numbers. Fifteen minutes ago I didn't see them!

Yes I noticed that. Big brother starting already?

The post numbers are a new feature so you can link to a specific post insted of just a thread.

Your name always shows green on your computer as do the names of people you have dmailed recently. (For me, my name, Al's & Pixie's are showing green. Cool, huh?

Yes I saw the explanation of the posts on DG forum. Useful! Names are also green if you clicked on their member name recently.

Getting back on track, I was feeling a little guilty about how much I spend on gardening then I thought about a lot of other pasttimes that I don't do like gamble, ski or play golf. Gardening suddenly looked very cheap!