Garden Freebies And Resources For 2017 From Free Seeds To Local Mulch Programs

Gardening enthusiasts in 2017 had access to numerous free resources to help cultivate their gardens without straining their budgets. From free seeds and gardening books to local mulch programs and seasonal promotions, gardeners could find valuable resources through various channels. This article explores the types of garden freebies available during 2017, including mail-in offers, local municipal programs, educational resources, and seasonal promotions.

Free Gardening Resources by Mail

For gardeners who preferred receiving supplies directly to their homes, several companies offered free gardening materials by mail in 2017. These resources included informational books, seed packets, and catalogs that could help gardeners plan and execute their planting seasons.

Free gardening books were available from multiple sources. Proven Winners offered a complimentary Gardener's Idea Book, which contained useful gardening tips and planting ideas. Interested individuals needed only to fill out a short form on the company's website to receive the book by mail within 4-6 weeks. Additionally, Amazon provided access to free Kindle gardening books that could be downloaded immediately to compatible devices.

Seed companies represented a significant source of free gardening materials in 2017. Several organizations offered free seeds to home gardeners through various programs:

• Pollinator Garden Pouch provided a large selection of seeds, though it did charge $1 for shipping
• Gardenary offered 10 free seed packets to requesters
• A general "Free Seeds" program allowed gardeners to request free seeds for their gardens, with donations recommended but not required
• Live Monarch provided butterfly garden enthusiasts with packets of 50+ Milkweed seeds at no charge, though donations were welcome (with each $1 donation resulting in an additional seed packet)

For those interested in seed exchanges, online communities facilitated the trading and swapping of heirloom seeds, allowing gardeners to diversify their gardens without additional cost.

Free gardening catalogs were also available from multiple seed companies and nurseries. Select Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Spring Hill Nursery, Gurneys, and Seed Savers all offered complimentary catalogs that detailed their product offerings. Some companies included additional incentives such as free shipping coupons with their catalogs.

Local Free Gardening Supplies

Beyond mail-in offers, 2017 gardeners could find free supplies through local programs and resources. These options varied by location but provided valuable materials for gardeners willing to seek them out.

Austin, Texas residents had access to a unique municipal program through the city's Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center. Located at 2514 Business Center Drive near Ben White Boulevard, this center offered free wood mulch made from yard trimmings collected curbside. The mulch was available on a first-come, first-served basis during the center's operating hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. Gardeners needed to bring their own gloves, shovels, containers, and other tools, as the operation was self-serve and staff members were not available to assist. Importantly, the mulch was not available to businesses, and the center recommended against arriving just before closing time when attempting to fill large vehicles.

Other local sources for free gardening supplies included:

• Public libraries, which often hosted gardening programs and sometimes offered free seeds or other supplies
• Local government agencies, which in some communities provided free gardening supplies to residents, including wood chips and tree planting programs
• Garden centers, some of which offered free supplies to customers who signed up for email lists or newsletters. One gardener reported receiving $10 gift cards to three different garden centers, totaling $30 in free plants
• Online platforms like Freecycle and Craigslist, where gardeners could find free supplies or connect with local seed swap groups on social media platforms
• Community gardens, which frequently made gardening supplies available to their members

Seasonal and Promotional Offers

2017 featured several seasonal promotions and special offers related to gardening, particularly around Earth Day in April. These promotions provided gardeners with opportunities to save on purchases or receive free items.

Earth Day celebrations in Central New York included numerous special offers:

• Amazon offered 20 percent off Amazon Warehouse Deals
• Best Buy provided 30 percent off major appliances during its Earth Day sale
• Dick's Sporting Goods featured its "biggest bike sale of the year" with discounts up to 50 percent on bicycles and accessories
• Gander Mountain offered a site-wide sale with an extra 15 percent off entire purchases and 50 percent off tents, cooking appliances, lighting, and other camping gear
• Target provided a special coupon for $5 off $20 lawn and garden purchases, available by texting GARDEN to 827438, though this coupon expired on Earth Day

Educational institutions and organizations also participated in Earth Day celebrations. The Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center in Utica offered free tours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Earth Day. Additionally, the Utica Zoo hosted its annual Earth Day Celebration on April 29, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring various events throughout the day.

Educational Programs and Resources

Educational institutions played a significant role in providing free gardening resources in 2017. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Extension Master Gardeners operated a notable program called the Free Seeds for Education Program, which provided seeds for educational gardens.

This program offered seeds that could be used in teaching and learning contexts within New Hampshire, including school gardens, youth gardens, and non-profit organizations. Each order could include up to 10 seed packets, with orders exceeding this limit being rejected. The seeds were categorized alphabetically within types: flowers, vegetables, organic vegetables, herbs, and organic herbs. The program emphasized that only one order per classroom or organization was permitted, and substitutions might be made if first-choice seeds were unavailable.

Notably, the UNH Extension program clarified that the seeds were packaged for previous years (which is why they were offered for free), and therefore germination rates might not be as high as those of "fresh" seeds. The program advised educators on how to conduct germination tests to determine seed viability.

The Free Seeds for Education Program began in 2017 through the efforts of UNH Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, who inventoried, sorted, and filled orders. Various businesses supported the program by donating seeds. The program operated on a specific schedule, with ordering periods that opened annually. For instance, the program was open for ordering in 2025, with plans to reopen in January 2026, indicating a cyclical availability pattern.

Planning and Organizational Resources

While not direct freebies in the traditional sense, free or low-cost organizational tools became increasingly important for gardeners in 2017. These resources helped gardeners plan their gardens, track progress, and improve future yields.

Garden planners and journals gained popularity as tools for maintaining organized records of planting activities, schedules, and results. These resources typically included features such as plot sheets to record what was planted where and in what quantities, seed schedulers to determine optimal planting times, and harvest tracking systems. Some gardeners found these particularly valuable for noting which plant varieties yielded the best results, allowing for improved planning in subsequent seasons.

While many commercial garden planners were available for purchase, some free resources or templates could be found through online communities, library resources, or downloadable templates from gardening websites. The personal experience of one gardener highlighted the value of such tools, noting how a planner helped them track their fertilizer schedule, monitor plant progress, and make informed decisions for the following year's garden.

Accessing Garden Freebies

Successfully obtaining garden freebies in 2017 required understanding the various access methods and requirements associated with different programs. The process varied significantly between mail-in offers, local programs, and educational initiatives.

For mail-in freebies such as books, seeds, and catalogs, the general process involved visiting company websites, completing online forms, and sometimes providing mailing addresses. Some programs required additional steps, such as self-addressed stamped envelopes for seed requests or specific timing for catalog availability. The reliability of these offers varied, as promotional terms could change frequently, and some offers might expire without notice.

Local programs like Austin's mulch distribution required different approaches. Gardeners needed to be aware of operating hours, bring appropriate containers and tools, and sometimes follow specific rules regarding quantities or eligibility. Municipal programs often had limited availability or specific distribution times, requiring gardeners to plan their visits accordingly.

Educational programs like UNH's Free Seeds for Education had more stringent requirements. Eligibility was restricted to educational gardens within New Hampshire, and orders needed to follow specific guidelines regarding quantities and submission methods. Special orders could be accommodated through email requests, but standard procedures needed to be followed for regular requests.

Conclusion

Gardeners in 2017 had access to a diverse range of free resources that could help establish and maintain gardens without significant financial investment. These resources included free seeds and plants through mail-in programs, local mulch and compost programs from municipal facilities, educational initiatives from extension services, and seasonal promotions around events like Earth Day.

The availability of these freebies varied by location, with some resources restricted to specific regions or communities. While some offers required simple online requests, others involved visiting local facilities or meeting eligibility requirements. Despite these variations, gardeners could typically find at least some form of free or discounted resources to support their gardening activities.

As with any promotional offers, gardeners needed to stay informed about changing terms and expiration dates. Regularly checking with local resources, company websites, and extension services helped ensure access to the most current free gardening opportunities. By taking advantage of these resources, gardeners could reduce costs while still enjoying the benefits of homegrown produce and beautiful garden spaces.

Sources

1. 2017 Earth Day Freebies, Deals and Sales For CNY
2. Free Gardening Stuff by Mail
3. Free Seeds for Education Program
4. Austin Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center Garden Supplies
5. Garden Planner Journal Review