Yes,yes,yes...this made me crazy last year! I am NOT doing it this year. Here is my strategy.... I tell everyone who says "oh, you've got hundreds of seedlings, can I have some?" that they are welcome to stop by on the weekend and we'll pot some up together. Only motivated takers this year, people who are really going to get them in the ground. I think when the pot just "arrives", folks have an easier time forgetting or think it is a houseplant or soemthing!

I made up little "hostess gift" pots of herbs and they are the only ones I am transporting to peoples houses!

Most of my friends and neighbors are not gardeners. I give them flowers, sometimes they survive and sometimes they don't. I don't pot them up- I take what I want from a jug and pass that jug around to the neighbors. Last year I planted some in my best friend's yard, threating that she's better water them or else. They did water some. I deadheaded and maintained them. They survived. They're only 1/4 the size of mine, but they are blooming. At least she has something in her yard.

Karen

Same thing happened to me... I think you really have to feel them out - to see if they are really into knowing
1) how hard it was to grow those seedlings;
2) how important it is to get them in the ground - fast;
3) make sure you are taking time to water;
and 4) gosh darn it, if you aren't interested, say so! LOL

Carrie

Wendy,
That is very very sad. I know what you mean.
Nan, I think your plan sounds great. If they put in some effort to sustain them at your house, I think they are more likely to sustain it at their own...helping you pot them up gives them an "emotional" connection to the plant, that they have already helped nurture it, so they better keep up with it.
Maybe we should invoke the Seedling Goddess to haunt them if they don't take care of them-- I volunteer to go dress up as a seedling and play the part...lol.

Linda
(yeah, i'm a little silly this morning...must be the heat, pollen and blooms. loving this weather despite my allergies and sweating)

LOL, Linda

The weather is indeed pretty brutal.It's supposed to be 93 today but is already unbearable. I just came in for a pop break in the a/c. I started a new batch of compost and deadheaded a few things. Now have to water newly planted seedlings, then will probably call it a day out there. After working in the heat all day yesterday, I just can't do it again today. Besides, my house looks like a bomb went off in here- have to clean it up a little.

Karen

I agree,that would upset me! If they only knew what we go throught to grow these I think they would appreciate them more. I gave my neighbor quite a few & she was so happy. She put them in the ground the same day! I'm making a trellis out of bamboo today for my new clematis and calling it quits after that it is indeed a scorcher here!

I can definitely relate Wendy. I met a 'gardener' in the neighbourhood when I first moved here and was so excited. The first winter I sowed things, she asked for some of the seedlings Angelica Gigas and KMOTGG. I grew them on and gave her nice sized plants. Three weeks later I was at her place and saw them under the deck - DEAD!

Since then, I am very picky about those I give seedlings to. She came to my plant sale this weekend and bought some plants then spotted a Brunnera Jack Frost in the gardens and asked for a division. I told her it would be a while before that plant was divided and she could purchase it at a nursery located 2 hours drive away. :O)

Yep, I know how you felt, but take solace in that your Asclepias and Lupines went into our gardens this past weekend and are weathering the heat we're having today. They are all little troopers!!

have had that happen to me on many occassions and I will be honest - I did it back when my kids were small and I was just starting out. Sometimes life gets in the way of gardening and you may have the best of intentions but it falls by the wayside. What I do now is let those who I think might be interested that they are welcome to come over and 'shop' anytime they want. I figure if they make the effort to come and get them then they might actually get into the ground - what is left after a reasonable amount of time will just get taken to the fall swap if they are perennials or left for the following spring - annuals will just get tucked into anyplace I have a bare piece of ground or empty container......

Lynne

I'm taking some of my stuff to the kids' school tomorrow to give them to the teachers and helpers. That's my fear, that my "babies" will be left to fend for themselves or worse.
I like the idea of them coming over to pick the plants out. Mine are already in 4in. pots or little milk cartons from the school(love them and their so EASY!) Maybe I could make a "gift certificate" for a free plant!!
-B

I share with lots of people, some are gardeners and others are at best casual gardeners. I've learned to let go of my concern for those plants. When I give them away they are no longer mine and I'm happy to hear if they are growing well and don't want to hear people's apologies if they aren't.

When I give seedlings away, I just bite the bullet and hope for the best! Sometimes, I'll ask how they're doing; sometimes they tell the truth and sometimes not (you can tell!). But I do have a couple good gardening buddies who get most of my extras; with them, I know they take care of the seedlings, 'cause they send me pictures.

PV

I gave a friend a beautiful clump of Autumn Joy last year -This year, I told her that she could propagate it and make more - she told me - Oh, I threw it away (she's very sweet, so there must have been a reason...). I guess she thought it should have flowered in the summer and got impatient. Anyway, I figured it was in the woods and we could retrieve it (you know how they can't die...) and then she told me she threw it in the garbage can!

Well, that threw me off for sure.

You really have to know who you are giving plants to and give specific information about the plant or it may end up in the "garbage"...

Carrie

people are just nuts!! ya i can get attached to my seedlings, but more so if i take the time to pick out stuff for that person and they dont care enough to ask me about the darned thing to see if its an annual or perennial or what kind of care it needs. ok so my yard is looking like trash, but i do love my plants and seelings!! that is a for sure thing!! LOL :')) hmmm i woulda been tempted to ask why it was under the deck. but that's how i am, mmmm gee what happened to the plant??