I have discovered that the garden department at my Fred Meyer store has a clearance area. First it was the $2 flat of lobelias, then it was the dahlias for $1 apiece. And the pretty glazed flower pot? It was lying unused in my mother's yard.
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I call those plants the “Sick and Sad” and scope them out where ever I go! Portland Nursery has an area in the back, and Home Depot usually puts theirs front-and-center when you enter the Garden Department from the parking lot. Most times, what I’ve been able to find perks right up once it’s been pulled out of its nursery pot, repotted with some good soil, and given a bit of love.
My husband calls them ‘used’ plants – we’ve gotten fruit trees for half price, a$10 raspberry bush for $3, $6 poinsettias for $1 (I’m in FL so they will grow), Christmas cactus for $1 that I’ve made a dozen plants from for gifts this season, Firecracker bushes for the west side of the house, and golden pothos, spider plants, oregano and dusty miller all for $.50 each.
Most of these plants simply needed watering and some trimming. We buy from Lowe’s and Home Depot and both will give a refund with receipt even on these clearance items.
We just found .99 basil and .75 mint at the supermarket. They were spindly and dehydrated, and are now recuscitating in a washtub of water. Pesto! (And mojitos.)
Sad plants make me sad, so I always have to take them home and nurse them back to health. Curse you garden department for my overabundant garden!