You might find a few friendships growing, too. Purchasing plants from the local nursery or from garden catalogs can get quite expensive. Exchanging plants and seeds with other gardeners has one big advantage over nurseries and catalogs it s free but for the cost of postage. Exchanges promote diversity as well, and can be the only way of preserving certain plant varieties. Getting started in a plant or seed exchange can be as simple as noticing that your neighbor s bed of hostas or lily of the valley is looking a bit crowded.
Most people are quite happy to share when it comes time to thin out unwanted plants.
While it may be tempting to help yourself to a few seed pods or volunteer to help prune your neighbor s forsythia bush while passing by on an evening stroll, asking is not only more ethical but can help you get to know your neighbor. Another way to begin an exchange is to join a local gardening group. Look in the community newspaper. There are gardening groups on the Internet as well. These are great opportunities to build friendships, get gardening advice, and share plants and seeds with people all over the world.