Do you shop the craigslist way?

Posted on May 21st, 2009 – 8:03 AM
By Robyn Dochterman

So, let’s say you’re a gardener and you divide your perennials or thin your berries. Not wanting to waste the extra  plants you know to be perfectly good, you put a post on craigslist. At first, you offer them free and you have lots of takers.

And then, the trowel above your head lights up. Or something like that. Hey, why not make back a few bucks by selling those plants?

You post again. You sell your plants. Now, you’re getting smart. Why not plant extra seeds and sell the starts? Why not cultivate specifically for sale?

I’ve seen dozens upon dozens of these posts, especially this Spring. I don’t blame sellers for wanting to make a buck. And I don’t blame buyers for wanting to save a buck. I have a little craigslist addiction myself, after all.

As a private gardener, have you bought plants posted for sale online? Are there advantages besides price? Is there much risk of importing a virus or other problem if you don’t buy from a licensed garden-center sort of place? Found any epic bargains?

If you’ve grown plants for sale through craigslist or similar exchanges,  what can you share about the experience? Do people show up? Do you actually make any money? Are there factors that motivate you besides recouping some of the bucks you spend on gardening?

8 Responses to "Do you shop the craigslist way?"

Eric Johnson says:

May 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am

I put up 8 Stella ‘oro daylilies (please!) ysterday and they were gone in an hour. Several folks got a little biatchey even cuz I didn’t get the post down right away. A Minnesota version of th orchid thief.

Robyn Dochterman says:

May 21st, 2009 at 11:17 am

Wow. That’s fast. Were they extras, or did you grow them specifically to sell then, Eric?

judy says:

May 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 am

I drive to Highland Park on for a CL ad promise of ‘tiger lilies’. When I got there, the plants were actually daylilies. The guy was working in his back yard and, maybe more bitchingly than I should have, I told him of the mistake and that no one goes out of their way for daylilies.

Judybusy says:

May 22nd, 2009 at 7:46 am

judy, that’s the only way they’ll learn; hopefully, in time you will find this very funny, cuz it kinda is….

btw, I have ACTUAL tiger lilies in south Minneapolis that I would be happy to share with you. They are prolific, sending up little plants all over the place! email me at jdybusy2000 at yahoo.com

Kirbie says:

May 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 am

I bought some rudbeckia (spelling?) plants from someone on craigslist last summer for a good price. Unfortunately, there were also weeds attached to it, and I didn’t know it until it was too late. It was black nightshade and spread all over my garden. I got rid of it, but it wasn’t much fun. I’ll have to be more careful and inspect the plants I buy next time.

Julia says:

May 22nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm

I was thinking about trying to get rid of my extra tomato, pepper, and herb seedlings. I am a first time seed starter and started TOO many. Now I have loads of little plants in the basement just hoping to grow into a full fledged plant. They are doing really well too. I have some people I am giving the extras away to but I think I’ll have more left over. I only thought of selling on CL because I hate giving away things on there only because people are so flaky about it and even more so when things are free.

loree.danger garden says:

May 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm

I bought bamboo on Craigslist once. It was a great deal because the plants are so expensive at nurseries! Also, I work in a large office and we’ve all kind of got this plant exchange thing going on. Very handy! Especially when you have a question about the plant it’s nice to be able to go to the source!