Free Bleeding Hearts Plant from Michigan Bulb

You can get a free bleeding hearts plant from Michigan Bulb: http://www.michiganbulb.com/ if you claim it by Sunday.  You only have to pay for shipping.  You can estimate shipping before checkout.  For my zip code, shipping was estimated at $8.75.  If you sign-up for their emails, you can also get a $20 instant coupon.

Free Split Leaf Philodendron by Mail

Photo: Split Leaf Philodendron, Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering a Split Leaf Philodendron.  

Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.

This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Order Cheap Photos: 99 Prints for 99 Cents + Tax & Shipping

It's scrapbooking time!  This was too good of a deal not to pass on.  For a limited time only, you can get 99 prints for $0.01 each at Snapfish.com when you use the coupon code PRINTSFOR99 at checkout.  The promotion ends on 09/12/2012.  Make your purchase via ebates.com, and you will get an additional 10% cash back on your purchase.

I just paid $8.52 for 119 prints because I was also able to use the "20 Free Prints Credit" on my account in addition to the 99 prints for $0.99 coupon code.  That breaks down to about $0.07 per 4x6 photo not including any cash back reward.

Free Ficus Burgundy Plant by Mail

Photo: Ficus Burgundy, Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering a Ficus Burgundy.  

Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.

This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Free Composting Workshop, Sept 13

Contra Costa County is offering a free two-hour composting workshop to its residents.  All you have to do is call and reserve your spot.  Click here to view Contra Costa County's current schedule for free composting classes.

I have seen other cities/counties (e.g., Santa Clara, Solano, San Francisco, etc.),  offer similar free programs so perform a search for free composting classes in your county or check out your city's website and look under the recycling & waste department. You may even find that they offer free compost or free or discounted compost bins.

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	RESERVE SEAT BY CALLING
September 13	7 - 9 pm	Antioch	925-779-7097

Final Hours - $1 Shipping on Michigan Bulb Orders, No Minimum Purchase

Double Anenome
20 bulbs for $3.99 + $1 Shipping
Sale Tax (Only for Certain States)

To celebrate their anniversary, Michigan Bulb is offering $1 flat rate shipping with no minimum order!  Just enter Key Code 0827194 when you check out.  Offer expires tonight (08/22/2012)!


There are bulbs as low as $0.20!

Michigan Bulb $1 Shipping Coupon Code, No Minimum Purchase

To celebrate their anniversary, Michigan Bulb is offering $1 flat rate shipping with any minimum order!  Just enter Key Code 0827194 when you check out.  Offer expires this Wednesday (08/22/2012).

Gardening Items for Kids at Michael's

Check out Michael's Arts & Crafts for some cute gardening items for kids.  At the time I visited their store, they had 50% off their gardening selection, but I'll list regular prices below.

Didn't see price for grow pots.

Seed Boxes were $5 

Kid gardening gloves for $1

Kid size gardening tools for $1

Last Chance - Free Composting Classes

Free composting classes are being offered this Saturday (May 14, 2011) at Antioch and Kensington County.  Click here to reserve your spot.  This will be the last free composting class of the season.  The next one will be offered in August.
To see if your city offers free composting classes, go to your city's website and look under your city's waste and recycling department or perform a web search for "free composting classes in (enter your city here)".  Your city may also offer free or discounted composting bins, reading materials, and free compost.

Eta Aquarrids Meteor Shower This Weekend

The Eta Aquarrids meteor shower will appear this weekend.  For more details, click here.

Reminder: UCB Spring Plant Sale Tomorrow

University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley is having its Public Spring Plant Sale tomorrow between 10 AM and 2 PM.  They have exotic and unusual plants, and specialize in mediterranean-climate plants including California natives, and plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean region and South America.  For a list of plants that are available and more information about the Spring Plant Sale click here.  They accept cash, check or credit card.

UCB Spring Plant Sale 2011

University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley is having its Public Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 30, 2011 between 10 AM and 2 PM.  They have exotic and unusual plants, and specialize in mediterranean-climate plants including California natives, and plants from South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean region and South America.  For a list of plants that are available and more information about the Spring Plant Sale click here.  They accept cash, check or credit card.

If you have never visited UC Botanical Gardens at Berkeley, you are in for a treat!  This place is enormous and they have many beautiful, inspiring gardens.

Recycled Paper Baskets

Photo: Recycled Paper Basket.  Normally $39.95, but on Sale for $29.99!

I saw these beautiful handmade paper baskets at Plow & Hearth.  These handmade recycled paper baskets are made by skilled paper weavers in the Philippines, providing needed income to families while reducing the impact on the earth.  This tote is sturdy enough for a full load of magazines or newspapers.  This particular tote measures 12"L x 6"D x 13"H, but there are other shapes and sizes.  The regular price of the baskets cost about $35 to $40, but the recycled paper basket featured above is on sale for $29.99.  You can also save an additional 15% off your purchase of $75 or more at Plow & Hearth by using coupon code LNKPH15. 

Photo: Recycled Waste Bin.  

Photo: Round Recycled Paper Basket

I lack the skills to make the totes featured above, but I liked the idea of recycling or upcycling old magazines and newspapers into beautiful, eco-friendly new products.  I found this neat YouTube video on how to make a recycled magazine holder out of a shoe box and coiled magazines.  The instructions look simple enough.  I may attempt to make one in the future.        

Update 12/28/2011:

[YouTube Video was removed by Owner  :(  ]

I did end up creating a makeup brush holder out of a tin can and sheets of magazines rolled into tubes.  Click here to see how I did it.

Tips to Maximize Savings on Online Garden Orders

1. Use Cash Back Sites.  Use online cash back sites.  I use EBATES.  Before making a purchase I see if the retailer is listed at their site.  If it is, I click on their link that re-directs me to the retailer.  By clicking on the link, I receive a certain percentage off my purchase.  These extra few seconds can make a big difference.  I joined EBATES in 2009, and since then I have received $974.23 cash back.    It is FREE to join EBATES.  To join today click here.  
2. Use Coupon Codes.  Performing a simple google search for coupon codes can result in great savings.  For example, I googled "Michigan Bulb coupon codes" and found a coupon code that ended up saving me nearly 50% off my purchase.  EBATES also lists available coupon codes under retailer links.         
3. Combine Cash Back Sites with Coupon Codes. 
4. Use Price Comparison Tools.  For pricey items, use Froogle (i.e., a google product search) to compare prices from various vendors.  Froogle allows you to sort your results by price (including shipping and tax) and also by vendors.
5. Split the Costs with a Friend.  Garden catalogs offer a great selection of unique, hard-to-find plants.  However, shipping prices or minimum quantity requirements can make these purchases less attractive for cost-conscious apartment gardeners.  To save on costs, combine orders with a fellow apartment gardener, family member or friend.  
6. Take Advantage of Guarantees.  Michigan Bulb, Co. offers its customers a life-time guarantee on their plants.  "Any item that does not grow and flourish to your complete satisfaction will be replaced free--with no time limit--for as long as you garden."  For novice gardeners who have not developed their green thumb yet, this life-time guarantee is a nice comfort.      

Continue to use these tips on all your online orders to maximize your overall savings!

If you have any more online saving tips, please feel free to post them in the comment section. 

Starting the New Year: $20 or $40 off Michigan Bulb Coupon Code

Garden catalogs are pouring in, and I am excited for another year of gardening.  This year I want to focus on my flower garden, and Michigan Bulb, Co. offered a good selection of beautiful flowers at a great deal.  See coupon codes below.

I have ordered:

• Sorbet Peony
• Green Envy Coneflower   
• Patty's Plum Poppy
• Rainbow Lewisia Mix
• Mixed Dutch Iris
• Crocosmia "Emily McKenzie"
• Twinkle Toes
• Passion Mixed Begonia
• Double Tuberose
• Hardy Orchid Mix
• Tea Cup Plant
• Banana Cream Daisy
• Hardy Mixed Carnations

Michigan Bulb, Co. Coupon Codes:

1. Get $20 off $40 purchase with coupon code 0817581 Exp. 2/11
2. Get $40 off $80 purchase with coupon code 0817588 Exp. 2/21

Weed Dating in Vermont

I came across this article on "weed dating," and I had to pass it on.  

  

What is weed dating?  It is basically speed dating with a practical purpose.  "Weed dating takes place on farms among rows of sprouting produce. Participants weed a row with a potential romantic interest, then move on to another row and another partner. At the end of the day, some people might have cultivated a mutual interest — and no matter, the field is freshly weeded."  The down side is that participants are charged $10 just for the "privilege" of weeding and meeting new people.    

Click Here for the Full Story .

I don't know if "weed dating" will gain popularity in other states, but you can still potentially make new connections and avoid paying a fee by volunteering for an organization or cause that you are interested in.  You may even get additional benefits for volunteering your time.  For example, volunteers for the University of California of Berkeley Botanical Gardens who volunteer at least 30 hours of their time can get free parking, shop discounts, and more.  

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Events

Public Plant Sale:
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
UC Berkeley's Botanical Garden is having a Public Sale Saturday April 26th, 2008, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Free Plant Clinic:
Saturday, May 3rd (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Free plant clinic. Find out which diseases ail your plants. Entomologists are also available to identify the pests that are living in your plants too! Please bring cover plants and disease samples in containers or bags before entering the Garden.

Native Plant Sale:
Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday, May 4th
On the weekend of May 3rd and 4th in cooperation with the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour (www.bringingbackthenatives.net) UC Botanical Gardens will also release a special selection of native plants for their native plant sale extravaganza. Their native plant propagators and California area horticulturist Ken Bates will be on hand to answer questions.

Bug Exhibit:
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - Thursday, May 15, 2008 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Walk through the Garden to see a variety of original sculptures by local artist Patrick E, including antlion larvae, a dragonfly, the golden orb weaver spider Argiope and a scattering of ladybugs along with a special new giant insectivorous insect member of the Garden.
The Bug Exhibit is free with Garden Admission.

Tomato Seedling Sale Tomorrow (Saturday, April 12)

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to remind those of you in the area that Bountiful Garden is having their tomato seedling sale tomorrow!

Saturday, April 12th, 2008 starting at 8:00 a.m
at 21901 Columbus Avenue, Cupertino, CA.

• All plants come in large one-gallon pots. They have a great selection of heirloom tomatoes. Click here to see what kinds of tomatoes they have.
  
• 100% Organic, no pesticides, herbicide, fungicides.
• Each plant is $5.00, and that money will go directly to disaster relief! "[E]very penny of the money that is given to [them] by people at [their] vegetable stands goes directly to disaster relief. This means that all of the costs in operating the organization must come from other forms of fund raising (tomato seedling sales, donations, sponsors)." To learn more about Bountiful Garden, click here.

Bountiful Garden's Tomato Seedling Sale on April 12, 2008

Bountiful Garden is having a tomato seedling sale on

Saturday, April 12th, 2008 starting at 8:00 a.m
at 21901 Columbus Avenue, Cupertino, CA.

• All plants come in large one-gallon pots. They have a great selection of heirloom tomatoes. Click here to see what kinds of tomatoes they have.
  
• 100% Organic, no pesticides, herbicide, fungicides.
• Each plant is $5.00, and that money will go directly to disaster relief! "[E]very penny of the money that is given to [them] by people at [their] vegetable stands goes directly to disaster relief. This means that all of the costs in operating the organization must come from other forms of fund raising (tomato seedling sales, donations, sponsors)." To learn more about Bountiful Garden, click here.

Tomato Growing Tips from Bountiful Garden:
If you would like tips on growing "15 Foot Tall Tomato Plants" visit Bountiful Garden's Growing Tips.

Going Native Garden Tour 2008

Sign-up now to take a free tour of native California gardens in Santa Clara Valley, the Peninsula, and San Francisco Bay Area. Make sure you confirm your registration by clicking on the email they send you within 3 days of registering.

The tour will take place on Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 10am to 4pm.

To take a sneak peek at some of the gardens included in this year's tour visit http://www.goingnativegardentour.org/gardens/gardenindex08.php.

Frequently Asked Questions

Source: http://www.goingnativegardentour.org/