Thursday, 16 April 2015

Freebies

At the back end of last year we visited Wyevale Garden Centre. We were just leaving when by the door I noticed some trays of plants with a sign at the side saying Free, Help Yourself. I didn't need to be told twice so I helped myself to three.

I didn't do anything with them when I got home other than pop them in the greenhouse and hope that they'd come through winter ok.

Fast forward to the end of last month and I thought I'd better do something with them. They'd survived winter but were looking rather straggly and past their best.


I took them out of the pots they were in, knocked a little of the compost away and repotted them in new pots with some fresh compost before giving them a good haircut.


I popped them back in the greenhouse and they look to be doing well, budding up and filling out. It's less than three weeks ago since I tidied them up but they've come on leaps and bounds since then. I took them out this morning to take this photo, just in the nick of time as I found a snail making its way up one of the pots.


Two of them are geranium - Black Velvet Scarlet and one is geranium - Black Velvet Salmon. Can you believe that they're priced at £4.99 each. I do love a bargain.
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30 comments:

  1. Amy at love made my homeApril 16, 2015

    They are lovely plants and were definitely worth taking a gamble on for free!!! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      I couldn't go wrong really. I'm sure they'll brighten up a corner of the garden all summer long.

      Delete
  2. DawnApril 16, 2015

    What a great freebie its easy to take cuttings off geraniums so you could increase your plants even more and have more freebies :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      I take cuttings from the geraniums I already have, though some didn't make it through winter this year. I'm sure I'll be taking more cuttings from these now I have them.

      Delete
  3. PoppypatchworkApril 16, 2015

    I love the challenge, they look great

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      I'm glad they got through winter ok. They've got lovely dark foliage so they'll look great when they're flowering.

      Delete
  4. ChrissieApril 16, 2015

    I love doing things like this, brilliant that they not only survived but are flourishing nicely. Then taking cuttings later on will again be so rewarding, enjoy xcx

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    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      I'm surprised they were giving them away, I've seen plants like this reduced at the end of the season but never given away free before. I hoped they'd come through winter ok as I knew they'd make nice plants this year if they did, I shall find some nice pots for them soon.

      Delete
  5. MargaretApril 16, 2015

    Free is definitely one of my favourite words, and if it relates to a new garden addition, so much the better.

    You must have "the touch" - those geraniums look wonderful. I love rejuvenating a plant and watching it "blossom" so to speak.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      Geraniums are such easy plants, I really can't take any credit for keeping them going. It's very rare that you get something for nothing these days so I'm thrilled to bits with these.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousApril 16, 2015

    They were certainly worthwhile freebies. It'll be nice to see them in full flower. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 16, 2015

      Definitely. I'm looking forward to seeing them in full flower, I'm sure they'll make quite an impact with their dark foliage and bright blooms.

      Delete
  7. Sue GarrettApril 16, 2015

    And you could take cuttings from them and get more freebies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I shall definitely take cuttings from them. I don't intend paying £4.99 per plant when I can make many more for free.

      Delete
  8. Lowcarb team memberApril 16, 2015

    Hey Jo well done, they are looking good.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I'm really pleased by how they've bounced back. I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time.

      Delete
  9. Tanya.April 17, 2015

    They look really good Jo....I always find it amazing how much geraniums can bounce back so well!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      They're good plants to have, so easy going and with thrive almost anywhere.

      Delete
  10. cookieApril 17, 2015

    They are doing great.
    Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I'm really pleased with them, I'm sure they'll look lovely once I've got them planted up in a nice pot.

      Delete
  11. Mark WillisApril 17, 2015

    Garden Centres don't often give anything away for free. In fact I think they sometimes offer for sale plants which are only good for the compost-bin! I only kept one Geranium over the Winter. I accidentally left it outside one night a couple of weeks ago and it got severely frosted. I think it will survive , but it's not looking vey happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I know, I was very surprised when I saw these being given away. I sometimes see reduced plants but as you say, they're not fit for anything other than the compost bin. Geraniums are tough plants, I'm sure yours will bounce back again given a little care.

      Delete
  12. AnnaApril 17, 2015

    Oh what good fortune to stumble upon those geraniums Jo! They have certainly responded to your tlc and should look great all summer long. That dark foliage is most attractive and a real contrast to the red of the flowers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I couldn't believe my luck. They're such a wonderful variety with their dark foliage which I'm sure will look stunning against the bright red blooms.

      Delete
  13. CherylApril 17, 2015

    Cheeky snail :)

    I love a bargain to JO......and that certainly was one.

    I love the dark foliage, will look brilliant with the red flowers.. Don't forget to take cuttings at some point.

    Have a good weekend.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 17, 2015

      I know, cheeky thing. I haven't seen any others around the garden lately, no wonder, it was tucked up warm and snug in my greenhouse. The dark foliage is wonderful, I'm looking forward to seeing the plants blooming away giving a contrast. I shall definitely take some cuttings, it will be good to keep them going for another year.

      Delete
  14. KelliApril 19, 2015

    I'm a fan of bargain purchases as well! I always had to the marked down / clearance area to see what's on offer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 20, 2015

      I never find anything worth having in the clearance sections, the plants I see are usually past it by the time they've been put there and I don't have the magic touch to revive them.

      Delete
  15. SnowbirdApril 23, 2015

    A smashing bargain for sure!!! Cuttings take really quickly, you should end up with lots of plants!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoApril 24, 2015

      They've put on lots of growth since they were trimmed so there'll be plenty of cutting material. I do love free plants.

      Delete

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