The year 2017 offered a variety of opportunities for gardening enthusiasts and budget-conscious consumers to acquire free products, seeds, and supplies through mail-in programs and local initiatives. These offers ranged from educational seed programs for schools to complimentary mulch provided by municipal recycling centers. Information regarding these freebies was disseminated through various online sources, including deal blogs, local news outlets, and official extension service websites. The availability of these items often depended on specific eligibility requirements, such as geographic location or organizational status, and was frequently tied to promotional events like Earth Day.
Mail-In Freebies and Catalogs
Several companies and organizations provided gardening materials directly to consumers via the postal service. These offers typically required filling out an online form or sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Seed and Plant Offers
Multiple sources listed opportunities to receive free seeds by mail. One popular offer mentioned was from Live Monarch, which provided a packet of 50+ Milkweed seeds free of charge, with the option to donate $1 for additional packets. The process required sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address provided on their website.
Other seed programs included:
- Gardenary: Offered 10 free seed packets.
- Pollinator Garden Pouch: Provided a large selection of seeds for a $1 shipping fee.
- Various Seed Requests: Several websites allowed users to request free seeds, often with a recommended (but not required) donation.
- Seed Swaps: Online communities existed where gardeners could trade and swap heirloom seeds.
Educational Seed Programs
A significant program available in 2017 was the Free Seeds for Education Program offered by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Extension Master Gardeners. This initiative was designed specifically for educational gardens within New Hampshire, including school gardens, youth gardens, and non-profit organizations.
- Eligibility: Restricted to entities within New Hampshire.
- Limitations: Each order could include up to 10 seed packets; orders exceeding this limit were rejected.
- Seed Condition: The seeds were packaged for a previous year, meaning germination rates might not be as high as fresh seeds. Educators were advised to conduct germination tests.
- Process: One order per classroom or organization was allowed. Special orders could be requested via email. The program was set to open again in January 2016 for the following season.
Gardening Books and Catalogs
For those seeking knowledge and inspiration, free books and catalogs were available:
- Proven Winners: Mailed a "Gardener’s Idea Book" containing tips and planting ideas after filling out a short form. Delivery was estimated at 4-6 weeks.
- Free Kindle Gardening Books: Amazon offered free digital gardening books.
- Catalogs: Companies like Select Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Spring Hill Nursery, Gurneys, and Seed Savers provided free catalogs and gardening guides upon request.
Local Freebies and Municipal Programs
Beyond mail-in offers, several local resources provided free gardening supplies, particularly around Earth Day in April 2017.
Austin, Texas: Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center
The city of Austin’s Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center offered free wood mulch to residents. This mulch was created from curbside yard trimmings.
- Availability: The mulch was available during the center's open hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday).
- Process: It was a self-serve system; residents needed to bring their own gloves, shovels, and containers. Staff were not available to assist.
- Restrictions: The mulch was not available to businesses. No appointment was necessary, though arriving shortly before closing was discouraged for those needing large quantities.
Central New York: Earth Day Events and Offers
In Central New York, Earth Day 2017 brought specific local opportunities:
- Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center: Offered free tours of the facility on Saturday, April 22nd, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Target: Provided a coupon for $5 off a $20 lawn and garden purchase (obtained by texting GARDEN to 827438), valid on Earth Day.
- Utica Zoo: Held an annual Earth Day Celebration on April 29th, featuring various events throughout the day.
General Local Resources
Consumers were advised to explore local avenues for free gardening supplies:
- Libraries: Often hosted gardening programs and occasionally offered free seeds.
- Local Government: Some municipalities provided free wood chips or tree planting programs.
- Garden Centers: Signing up for email lists or newsletters could yield free supplies or gift cards.
- Online Communities: Websites like Freecycle, Craigslist, and local Facebook seed swap groups were sources for free items.
- Community Gardens: Often had supplies available for members.
Planning and Organization Tools
For gardeners looking to organize their efforts, a free Garden Planner and Journal was available online. This tool helped track planting schedules, varieties, yields, and fertilizer schedules. It included front and back covers, tabs, plot sheets, and a seed scheduler. A half-size journal version with lined pages for notes was also available.
Conclusion
The landscape of free gardening resources in 2017 was diverse, encompassing national mail-in programs, localized municipal offerings, and educational initiatives. While many opportunities required specific actions—such as sending a stamped envelope, filling out a form, or visiting a local drop-off center—they provided significant value for consumers. The timing of many of these offers, particularly around Earth Day, highlighted the connection between environmental awareness and gardening. Consumers interested in such freebies were advised to monitor specific company websites, local government announcements, and deal aggregation sites for current and future opportunities.