I love Christmas with all the trimmings including the greenery.  The wreaths, the trees, the Christmas cacti, the poinsettias, the rosemary topiaries, the amaryllis and paper whites, and a host of others that take center stage during this time of year that otherwise blend into the background.

While many might just disregard and discard these once January 2^nd rolls around, I just can’t bring myself to do so. Always looking for a bargain, and believing that I CAN grow anything (just disregard those plastic pots in my recycle bin) I eagerly ask for folks discarded poinsettias vowing THIS YEAR I’ll be able to keep it growing until next Christmas season.

Other than pilfering these rejects from my acquaintances and friends, there are bargains to be had at your local grocery, hardware, and big box stores.  Many stores, in their rush to clear out the “old”, mark items like rosemary plants and bulb kits down drastically. I’m talking 2 or 3 bucks for plants they were selling for $15 or more up until the 24^th!

The rosemary is very hardy. It can be a great scent in the house and great to plant in the yard or container. http://ucanr.org/sites/ucmgnapa/files/81948.pdf.

The Paperwhites and Amaryllis that fill the shelves will bloom just in time for Valentines (so many of these are in red and white too!). http://ucanr.org/sites/ucmgnapa/files/81913.pdf.

Many stores also pull out last year’s garden supplies (pots, tools, etc.) in a hope that they won’t have to inventory and pay taxes on it.

So gardeners delight!  There is something to do besides looking longingly through our seed and farm catalogs and hoping for an early spring. Get out and spot a gardener’s After-Christmas Bargain!