Freecycle networks

glennigogs

I have found that Freecycle (local sheffield one is called Freegle, as Chickywiggle will know :-) is excellent for gardeners. There is nearly always someone getting shut of old plants and cuttings, or asking for plants in particular that you may have too many of (Even trees). It is a Yahoo group. You can give away or ask for anything you like (except animals and mother-in-laws). Cars for mechanics to tinker with. Old washers working or not. Old carpets for allotment keepers (yes any condition as long as the recipient gets an accurate detail before collection). And of course it is great for new mums and first time homeowners, or anyone on a tight budget.
Xglennigogs

glennigogs

I know nearly all of the people posting on Freecycle are honest, but I would suggest caution before accepting any topsoil (a lot is offered) without checking with the offerer that it has not had any invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed in it. Same goes for rubble extracted from below topsoil. Its a sod to get rid of (needs burning down over a period of years) and I think it is a national concern now with the government who are going through steps to eradicate it in the UK.

blossomhill_2

I agree, it is good, although not much gardening on offer in this area (I respond to wanteds though)

But I now have some lovely yellow water lilies that I would never have thought of buying

I was able to help someone who wanted carpets for allotment - she couldn't use the foam ones but the hessian backed were well received and saved me getting a skip, and my old scruffy large pots were well recieved by potato growers

SailorSam

Over the last couple of months i've given away a couple of hundred cuttings, must have had almost excess Tomato plants which i grew from seed. I was inundated with Emails asking for them so now in future when i'm pruning anything i'll put them into little pots to see if they grow and give them away. It's costing me nothing but a bit of time and helping others.