skip to main content

Texas Gardening

Need recommendation for inexpensive BULB source

15 years ago

Does anyone know where I can get some good quality, inexpensive Iris/Daylilly/etc. bulbs? We just purchased a new home in Katy (west houston) and there are NO plants. I am planning a large vegetable garden and would love to incorporate some bulbs...even if I have to thin out someone elses yard to get them.

Any suggetions?

Thanks,

Bethany Madrid

bethany@themadrids.com

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

sylviatexas1
15 years ago
"even if I have to thin out someone elses yard to get them."

Well, there ya go:

As long as you aren't looking for specific cultivars, that's the very best way!

Post a "wanted" on craigslist or freecycle, & say you'll dig them up & straighten out the bed afterwards (replace soil, etc).

That way, you'll be getting proven performers, plants that have thrived in your area.

You can also check the Exchanges page of this forum for upcoming swaps in your area.

Best luck, & have fun!
beachplant
15 years ago
There is a swap at Mercer in the spring. I'm not sure of the date yet. And Galveston Co is having their swap in March.

Walmart right now has a good selection of bulbs, relatively cheap. Bearded iris really don't care for our climate, I think they do a little better on the mainland but your better off with the non-bearded and German types here.
Tally ho!
Related Discussions
Inexpensive pectin source? (besides from apples)
Q
Comments (11)
I love Pomona Pectin, and will never use anything else. When I used to use Sure-Jel and other high-methoxy pectins, it was way too often that something was out of line and whatever I was making didn't set. I have never - NEVER - had that problem when using a low-methoxy pectin. Additionally, I can chose exactly how much sugar I want to use in a recipe, since the pectin is not dependent on the sugar, instead using calcium as the activator. For example, in a strawberry jam recipe, Sure-Jel calls for about 4 cups of sugar for 4 cups of fruit. I have found that if you use too little sugar, the color and quality is far lower for canning/storing, but using the Pomona and 1.5 to 2 cups of sugar in the same recipe makes a great, colorful, and sweet product where you can actually experience the flavor of the fruit instead of just a bucket of sugar. Think about it - if you were eating a bowl of strawberries, how much sugar would you put on top of them? Anyway, the lumping can be completely avoided by following the directions and working quickly. I like having at least a cup of sugar that I hold aside for mixing the pectin powder with, which gives it enough to disperse it through the fruit evenly. The only bad jams or jellies I've had are when I used very low or no sugar and kept them for longer times, say more than a year. I've also had a few cases where when combined with the natural pectins in the fruit, the jam ended up stiffer than I really like. I've learned to adjust what they say on the packaging to use less when dealing with fruits that may set too hard. The pectin doesn't go bad, I bought it in bulk directly from Pomona. That one pack, and a number of boxes I bought at the health food stor years ago, has lasted a very long time.
...See More
Spring ephemerals - I found an inexpensive source
Q
Comments (52)
Brenda, last I checked...people weren't in danger of becoming rare or extinct. I don't care about their poverty..that is NO excuse for poaching. It is in-excusable for major corporations to buy that which was poached from state and federal lands, which belong to ALL of us, then turn around and sell it for profit. There are many, many government programs available to the poor...from pre-natal care all the way up to elder care programs and hospice. Including free college tuition, work training, food, medical care, etc. I have been really poor...I have lived on Ramen Noodles and tortillas and potatoes for months at a time, yet I never felt the need to steal. Heck, I was unemployed and uninsured when I was diagnosed with MS..and I didn't go hold up the corner store to pay for my tests and treatment. I used every government/private program I could use to do that which needed to be done..after all, I had already paid for it many times over. What these folks are doing is stealing, and what they're stealing is our natural heritage. And they're stealing it from each and every one of us, and our children and grand-children. People who go on "plant rescues" with reputable organisations don't turn around and sell the dang things to the highest bidder. Silverkat...If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? I'd rather not join 'em. And yes, boycotts do work. I have lots and lots of ethically collected or nursery grown and propagated native plants. I don't need Lowe's. The ethically collected plants and seeds are out there, all that's required is a little research. VERY little..people who grow natives are usually happy to admit their stock is on the up and up. If enough people cared enough not to buy those little baggies of dessicated native plants..well, there'd be no financial incentive to carry them in the store. Which would go a long way towards solving the problem, wouldn't it? april
...See More
Seed source for inexpensive seeds
Q
Comments (28)
When looking for seed sources the first place I go is to Tania's Tomato data base and I've linked below to the page at her site with seed sources for Ukrainian Heart. For Nicky Crain she shows only herself as a source for 2011 but sold out already. Tania has not had the time to update all the 2011 seed sources b'c so many places were late with their seed catalogs and updating their websites. Many folks have gotten both varieties from Glenn at Sandhill. IS there a problem that you've had with Sandhill in the past such that you're lookiong for another seed source? I do know that the catalogs are going out much later than before for a variety of reasons and those to the East Coast went out last Friday and Glenn asked me to let him know when I got mine. They will go out in batches across the country based on zip code. Just a wee anecdote. He said that two whole pages got messed up and knowing that I don'tlike the variety Sandpoint he told me that I'd be happy b'c it came out as Sandpit. LOL I have seeds for both but they're so old I wouldn't send them to anyone. LOL Carolyn Here is a link that might be useful: Ukrainian Heart
...See More
Need inexpensive kitchen install in basement
Q
Comments (7)
My husband and I have scored unbelievable deals on high end cabinetry through a local building and design center. They do a lot of high end and custom cabinetry and when anything is misordered (or rejected on site for any reason) they sell it at a cut rate just to unload it from their inventory. Super cut rate, as in uppers are $50 and lowers are $75, flat rate across the board (including super Susans, etc.). We've also gotten roll out trays ($10/ea), toe kick trim (2 lengths for $10), and all kinds of other deals. When the design damage has been done, so to speak, they seem to be happy recouping any costs, or at least that's been my experience here. Mind you this isn't something they advertise in their storefront, but will openly share when asked, so maybe try asking in your area? And I second tmnca's suggestion of Craigslist. I've purchased a whole set of virtually new kraftmaid cabinets for $500 that way too.
...See More
cynthianovak
15 years ago
i can vouch for superb quality from this online company for reblooming iris. I ordered once, then ordered some as gifts and they sent more than I ordered each time. I suspect it is because I ordered the collection that is heat tolerant and some varieties were replaced with 2-3 others. I didn't mind because I love them all.

Here is a link that might be useful: sutton iris
messymarsy
15 years ago
I old fashioned purple irises, walking irises and african irises, in West memorial if you want some. marsia.seydoux@gmail.com
Taralyn
15 years ago
Also, check for your local iris and daylily societys - if it is like here in Dallas, they have sales twice a year to get rid of their overstock - here, I can get daylilies that usually range 15-50 bucks for a double fan for 5-15. Go early, like be standing at the door when they open, you can get some great stuff - and the members are very helpful with what will grow in your area....I found one sale mentioned in the attached link, but do a search on Houston texas daylily society, you might find more...

terry

Here is a link that might be useful: daylily sale
beachplant
15 years ago
Paynes in the grass daylily sale in Pearland is in May the 17th to be exact. Here's the link. http://www.paynesinthegrassdaylilyfarm.com/
Tally HO!

Here is a link that might be useful: Paynes in the grass

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING 6 Splendid Blue-Flowering Bulbs

By Therese Ciesinski

How do you blue? With colors from sky to cobalt, these bulbs will greet you merrily in a spring garden

LIGHTING Source List: 20 Pendants That Illuminate the Kitchen Island

By Annie Thornton

See the ceiling lighting fixtures that are popular on Houzz and find out where to get them

WINTER GARDENING How to Get an Amaryllis to Rebloom

By Therese Ciesinski

Enjoy glorious flowers year after year just when you need them most, with this step-by-step strategy

LIGHTING A Beginner’s Guide to Lighting in Layers

By Brilliant Lighting

Discover the secrets of combining light sources to create richer-looking and more flexible living spaces

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Budget Decorator: 10 Ways to Deck Out Your Patio

By Laura Gaskill

Hang a vintage sign here and some inexpensive curtains there, for a patio or deck that looks polished and pulled together

SPRING GARDENING Top 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

A palette of perfumed plants can transform even the smallest of gardens into a sensory delight

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Stunning Floor Lamps

By Fieldstone Hill Design

Make up for shorter days with extra light sources to cast a warm glow

EARTH DAY How to Build a Greener Driveway

By Jen Dalley //

Install a permeable driveway to keep pollutants out of water sources and groundwater levels balanced

COLOR Want Gorgeous Interior Colors? Look to the Light

By Buckminster Green LLC

See how to manipulate natural and artificial light — and learn about those baffling new bulbs — to get the exact room colors you want

Sponsored

Miller Woodworks

21 Reviews

Franklin County's Trusted Custom Cabinetry Solutions

More Discussions

How cold is too cold for bare root bagged roses?...

12

Costco bareroots in TX -- 2 plants $16

2

Weed Treatment For Bermuda Grass

6

Crossvine oddness

4

iris not blooming well

8