Garden Detective

Ever wonder what happens to plants that aren't sold during the planting season? Well, I suppose if they're dying they're destroyed. But what about the healthy ones? What do wholesalers and growers do with the millions of surplus trees, shrubs and perennials that go unsold each year? Wouldn't it be nice if someone were just giving them away? Turns out, someone is.

Founded in 2004 "to stop the huge waste of trees, shrubs and perennials and to help workers with disabilities earn a paycheck," freetreesandplants.com is that someone. The organization hires disabled workers to process, package and send unsold plants to anyone who reserves them, absolutely free of charge. Gardeners are charged $7.95 per unit of plants, which covers processing, packaging and shipping. A "unit" typically refers to a pair, so that's two plants delivered to your door for $7.95.

“This spring planting season has posed a difficult challenge for growers and gardeners alike. We have thousands of perennial plugs, trees, shrubs and bare root perennial plants to find homes for in the next few weeks. Gardeners from across the country could help by reserving one of the more than ninety varieties of perennials, shrubs and trees featured this spring,” said Cheryl Richter, a garden writer and photographer who created the program with her husband, Greg, in their hometown of Lincoln, Neb.

“Each year millions of healthy high-quality plants go unsold and are destroyed,” Cheryl Richter explained. “They go to the dump, are plowed under or get burned or buried. Every plant we save and select for our program is as good as, or better than, those featured in garden centers and renowned garden catalogs. This unusual spring has made this problem even worse.”

“Our concept began when we recognized that there is a terrible waste of living things when unsold plants are thrown away,” Greg Richter said. “We are believers in direct action and social responsibility, and we do not ask for or accept donations. Our program does not seek charitable designation.”

As of today, there were 11 varieties of shrubs, 14 varieties of trees and 60 different perennials to choose from.