I wouldn't even consider any of the just pay postage offers, unless you have a greenhouse and have the time/inclination to mother the plants for at least 12 months before putting them in the garden.
They do work out ok sometimes, last year i got the "free" 24 lavender plugs, i planted them in modules and have kept them in the greenhouse, they are now around about the size where i could consider putting them in the garden but it's literally taken 12 months.
Probably the best ones i've had from the pay postage offers was 4 dwarf buddleja's these were actually large plugs, and being tough as old boots they only needed potting on and hardening off before going in the garden and have done fine.
Everything else, ie the perennials expect to have to pot into modules, then repot and keep in a greenhouse over winter, before even thinking of putting them out next spring. You are unlikely to get anything if you plant them out the same year you get them in the post.
I have also succumbed to these offers. The plants are always teeny and need to be handled with kid gloves. I have a partially shaded well ventilated greenhouse so I can nurture them a bit before they go out into the big bad world. There are always casualties but most survive. Any spares are used for swapping with so not so bad really.
Well for a newbie I don't think I've done a bad job, so it can't be that difficult. Only 2 have died and that's my fault for overwatering/underwatering them (not sure how I managed it but there we go). admittedly you have to mess about re-potting them, but is that not part of the joy of gardening, watching things grow and nurturing them?
I have brought a lot of free offers. The latest being 6 hostas which is still on offer. The large root balls arrived and are potted in the greenhouse. One is already appearing.
The more you are getting in the offer eg 48 plugs. The plugs will be tiny. My greenhouse gets far too hot that I do loose alot of these. I am still getting to grips with the greenhouse hot spots. So its probably my own fault. But I have received small collections 3/4 plugs they are much larger, very healthy plants. No complaints. Gerberas, hydrangeas, phlox, heucheras, penstemons to think of a few.
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I wouldn't even consider any of the just pay postage offers, unless you have a greenhouse and have the time/inclination to mother the plants for at least 12 months before putting them in the garden.
They do work out ok sometimes, last year i got the "free" 24 lavender plugs, i planted them in modules and have kept them in the greenhouse, they are now around about the size where i could consider putting them in the garden but it's literally taken 12 months.
Probably the best ones i've had from the pay postage offers was 4 dwarf buddleja's these were actually large plugs, and being tough as old boots they only needed potting on and hardening off before going in the garden and have done fine.
Everything else, ie the perennials expect to have to pot into modules, then repot and keep in a greenhouse over winter, before even thinking of putting them out next spring. You are unlikely to get anything if you plant them out the same year you get them in the post.
I have also succumbed to these offers. The plants are always teeny and need to be handled with kid gloves. I have a partially shaded well ventilated greenhouse so I can nurture them a bit before they go out into the big bad world. There are always casualties but most survive. Any spares are used for swapping with so not so bad really.
Well for a newbie I don't think I've done a bad job, so it can't be that difficult. Only 2 have died and that's my fault for overwatering/underwatering them (not sure how I managed it but there we go). admittedly you have to mess about re-potting them, but is that not part of the joy of gardening, watching things grow and nurturing them?
I have brought a lot of free offers. The latest being 6 hostas which is still on offer. The large root balls arrived and are potted in the greenhouse. One is already appearing.
The more you are getting in the offer eg 48 plugs. The plugs will be tiny. My greenhouse gets far too hot that I do loose alot of these. I am still getting to grips with the greenhouse hot spots. So its probably my own fault. But I have received small collections 3/4 plugs they are much larger, very healthy plants. No complaints. Gerberas, hydrangeas, phlox, heucheras, penstemons to think of a few.