Selfsufficientish.com

Having just moved to our dream cottage in Highland Scotland we are on the scrounge, hunt for any cuttings, plants of any decription, groundcover or climbers that would suit a SS cottage garden.

We have a reasonable sized rear garden which will end up 1/3 grass, 1/3 growing space and 1/3 garden when completed, and a small front, side garden the side which will end up being our driveway (its hoped subsequent to the dreaded council permissions of course) all bounded by some sort of hedge/fence but prefferably a hedge to attract wildlife! as a far better route to take.

When we moved here all it had was a few badly trimmed shrubs/roses in the side garden and a few patches of Privet hedging (where it had not been cut away in no apparent way other than vandalism) the rest is all either very uneven earth or equally uneven grass ( in the rear garden its all grass not one plant!) so i can only pressume the previous tenant had an adversion to plants

Any how it leaves us with a blank canvas really, a dream realised but a lot of work and equally of expense hence any help in sourcing anything however large or small would of course be greatly appriciated and would at least give us a start to what will be a few seasons lon to get anywhere close to what i hope it will ultimately end up being..

Any links, advice, guidance etc to sources of really cheap plants, or other essentials appriciated

Slanj

You could try Freecycle. My local one often has plants on offer in spring. Car boot sales can be good for cheap plants. Is there a gardening club in your area (ok, there isn't really anything in your area, so maybe I should have said, it there a gardening club within a reasonable distance of you?) It'd be a great way of meeting people if you could find one.

Do you know anyone who is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society? Members have access to the free seed list, although the handling/postage isn't cheap.

What about getting together with some friends to share seed/plant orders to save postage and get discounts?

Sometimes local councils grow their own stocks and sell surplus to the public. Doesn't sound like yours would but it may be worth asking.

Zoe

Zoe
Again great suggestions, tried Freecycle (and use it often) along with localised Facebook free give groups etc but thus far no joy, must look into the other things you mentioned some of which i hadnt thought of, but you hit the nail on the head, there really isnt very much by way of clubs around here (again something we were not really interested in anyway so it didnt bother us) the slower pace of life you know, peace, quiet endless scenery is more our thing anyway but i shall investigate further along the lines you have suggested.

Thing i may just have to learn how to take cuttings myself and take from anywhere i can, odd cuttings shoudnt be missed surely its a big old empty garden ypu know, and not even a Poundland inside a 140 ml radius of us ekkkk


Slanj

Any other suggestions? or equally where i could obtain a easy to follow, step by step guide on how to take cuttings myself and successfully root them?


Many thanks in advance of replies

Great cutting advice from Auntie Beeb http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/t ... ood1.shtml
and the RHS
http://www.rhs.org.uk/search?cx=partner ... &sa=SEARCH

Many thanks will have a look at that its gonna havevto be really simple thou

scotsmart wrote:Zoe

Thing i may just have to learn how to take cuttings myself and take from anywhere i can, odd cuttings shoudnt be missed surely its a big old empty garden ypu know, and not even a Poundland inside a 140 ml radius of us ekkkk


Slanj

As a complete townie (born within a few hundred yards of Trafalgar Square), I once made the mistake of moving to a village just 5 miles outside Bristol. It was a real culture shock, no taxis, had to drive to buy a pint of milk, not a tradesman in sight.... Never again!

You could try asking for cuttings or seeds from gardens that you see and like. Local gardeners are the best way of finding out what works and what doesn't in your part of the world and a compliment should help you make some friends. I once knocked on the door of a neighbour when I had just moved into a house, to ask if might have some seeds of some beautiful poppies I'd seen in her garden. She was delighted to be asked. I've moved twice since but have brought those poppies with me both times.

Zoe

Zoe
Ive lived in the countryside now for a little over ten years although this time far more so, its to say a little culture shock would be a understatement but beleive its all part of the journey, its slowly getting better i havvto say but only slightly, looks likely that we are going to hav to probably stalk the main street in the village admiring gardens to get anywhere however glad to say i love a good challenge this to dat i think is gping to be my greatest

I/we fully intend getting to know the locals its just were going to have to do a lot more to do so than we had to previously don ge me wrong thats exactly what we wanted just hadnt taken into full account possibly all that this would entail.

Still our blinds finally came today (3wks late) and the second end panel for our new wardrobes came yesterday damaged again (the joys of buying online).

Onwards and upwards cuttings, seeds and plants abound to play about with till my hearts content this coming summer lol (well i hope so)

As always your advice has been helpful and encouraging