I am starting this thread because this is the time of year when we are all going "mad" cleaning out our gardens, greenhouses and houses. In doing so, sometimes we come across things that we just do not know what to do with and hopefully, if we post it here, we may get some help with our problem.

This is not here to take the place of the Classified/trade thread of ATP, this is more or less an OFF TOPIC thread. I say that because I would hope the things we mention here have something to do with flowers or gardens. If not, no big deal. If I am not being clear, let me try and explain by using my problem as an example. I will make the first post and we can go from there.

In cleaning out my workshop, I found I have some grapevine stars, wreaths and wooden crosses. I used to do silk flower arrangements to sell many years ago and had forgotten about these things. Do you have any suggestions what I could do with them? I do not want to sell them. I want to give them away. Tried to find the individual pictures but no luck. This is a picture of an old poster and that will show what some of them looked like decorated. The ones I want to give away are not decorated. Now, any suggestions?

Attach fruit and seedheads to them and hang them on a fence, for winter birds to find and feed from. That could actually be really pretty!

Thanks, JB--great idea! For me it is mostly tender perennials that I know I just don't have the wherewithal to overwinter. I have a couple beautiful begonias not to mention a ton of caladium and coleus and others. Would be happy to pass these on to anyone that's more into overwintering than I am!

kylaluaz said:Attach fruit and seedheads to them and hang them on a fence, for winter birds to find and feed from. That could actually be really pretty!

I already have an abundance of bird feeders, both finch and larger birds. Great Idea. I do feel someone who does crafts would make better use of them.

JB, it's a great idea for a thread, too. I don't have a lot of stuff to share but next year I probably will!

I just feel I would rather share my extras with my friends rather than sell them on eBay or just pitch them. I hope the thread can be of some help to all of us. The only thing is, we must ask for postage. It just gets too expensive shipping these days.
I don't think that is being unreasonable. In the long run the person getting the items is still saving money.

I think postage is quite reasonable JB!

That makes total sense, JB. Selling things is often such a hassle! and I agree about the postage, totally.

Just wish I had some green "white elephant" items to offer to help jumpstart this thread!

Seriously, I have a ton of tender perennials that I'm not going to overwinter, but would be happy to share with someone else who would like to.

Basil 'African Blue' Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum
Begonia (Wax) NoID Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum
Celosia 'Flamingo Feather Purple' Celosia argentea var. spicata
Celosia NoID Celosia argentea var. spicata
Lemon Grass (West Indian) Cymbopogon citratus
Impatiens 'Fiesta Purple Stripe' Impatiens walleriana
Impatiens 'Fiesta Appleblossom' Impatiens walleriana
Lantana 'South Beach Compact Bullion' Lantana camara
Lantana 'South Beach Compact Coral' Lantana camara
Lantana 'Bandana Cherry' Lantana camara
Daisy (African) 'Zion Orange' Osteospermum
Daisy (African) 'Kalanga Lavender?' Osteospermum
Daisy (African) 'Zion Copper Amethyst' Osteospermum
Geranium (Regal), 'Elegance Burgundy Frost' Pelargonium x domesticum
Geranium (Zonal) 'Fantasia Dark Red' Pelargonium x hortorum
Perilla 'Magilla Purple'
Coleus 'Honey Crisp' Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus 5 no ID Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus 'Kong Red' Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus 'Strawberry Drop' Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus 'Vino' Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Impatiens (New Guinea) 'Paradise Cherry Rose' Impatiens x hawkeri
Impatiens (New Guinea) 'Sonic Orange' Impatiens x hawkeri
Vietnamese Coriander Persicaria odorata
Verbena Homestead 'Carpet Red' Glandularia canadensis aka Verbena x canadensis
Sage (Blue Anise) 'Black and Blue' Salvia guaranitica
Gardenia (Dwarf) 'Radicans Enano' Gardenia jasminoides
Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla
Lisianthus noID Eustoma grandiflorum
Oxalis 'Iron Cross' Oxalis tetraphylla
Tuberose Polianthes tuberosa
Sage (Scarlet) 'Forest Fire' Salvia coccinea
Eucalyptus 'Silver Dollar' Eucalyptus cinerea
Oxalis (Purple) Oxalis triangularis subsp.papilonacea var. rosea
Marigold (Mexican Mint) Tagetes lucida
Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya
Pentas 'Graffiti Bright Red' Pentas lanceolata
Verbena (Garden) 'Enduro White Blush' Glandularia x hybridaaka Verbena x hybrida
Nemesia 'Opal Innocence' Nemesia fruticans
Oregano (Compact Greek) 'Humile' Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum
Asparagus Fern 'Sprengeri' Asparagus densiflorus
Kalanchoe 'Calandiva Dark Pink' Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Coleus 'Wasabi' Plectranthus scutellarioides aka Solenostemon scutellarioides
Angelonia 'Serenita Raspberry' Angelonia angustifolia
Daisy (Marguerite) 'Butterfly' Argyranthemum frutescens
Milkweed (Tropical) Asclepias curassavica
Caladium (Fancy-leafed) NoID Caladium
Caladium (Fancy-leafed) 'FM Joyner'
Caladium (Fancy-leafed) 'White Christmas'
Caladium (Fancy-leafed) 'Mixed Fancy Leaf'
Caladium (Lance-leaf) 'Florida Sweetheart'
Caladium (Lance-leaf) 'Red Ruffle'
Four O'Clock NoID Mirabilis jalapa

You maybe should post that list in Classified -- even if all you want is postage.

Then again, maybe some of them will surprise you and survive and you'll end up with hardy tenders.

I'm not into selling plants. I'll share them with friends and fellow gardeners. I'm actually the same way with other things -- e.g. I'll donate to Friends of the Library or give to a friend, but I won't try to sell.

Well, but what I meant was, list them as available to ATP members for postage? Not that you should be selling them. And I only try to sell things if I really have to to raise money.

That's a thought Kyla.

Good idea Cat if you want to move them, try it.

No, I think I'll just leave them right there. If anyone's interested in anything, just tmail me.

THIS OFFER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. ALL THE ITEMS ARE AT NEW HOMES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.

JB said:In cleaning out my workshop, I found I have some grapevine stars, wreaths and wooden crosses. I used to do silk flower arrangements to sell many years ago and had forgotten about these things. Do you have any suggestions what I could do with them? I do not want to sell them. I want to give them away. Tried to find the individual pictures but no luck. This is a picture of an old poster and that will show what some of them looked like decorated. The ones I want to give away are not decorated. Now, any suggestions?

Very cool, JB, glad people connected!