Where to get plants for cheapskates?

[qclabrat]

My new covid hobby has been raising chickens this spring for eggs. So the budget has shifted over to my little hens.
I went to look at plants online and OMG they are expensive. I'm accustomed to getting them locally from other ponders, usually through CL. But with social distancing I'm guessing not many of looking for strangers to come by for a quick transaction.

I'm probably going to head to Lowe's this weekend and some local nurseries. Anywhere else I should consider?

 

[JRS]

Any local aquarium clubs in your area? Lot of folks trade/sell pond plants also. Those in my area have some folks doing contactless pickups and exchanges.

 

[pondering_life]

always consider your native species as well, this covid situation has certainly taught me to be more resourceful. Have a scout around on google maps for any local waters where it's possible to bring cuttings back

 

[cas]

I have noticed that people are selling plants on facebook marketplace.

 

[Ronfire]

I just went to the local pond/swamp behind the property, Grasses bulrush and even got some water Lilly.

 

[mrsclem]

Just rinse them off really well so you don't end up with critters you don't want!

 

[Phaewryn]

I ordered from pondmegastore.com and got 8 American Frogbit (Limnobium Spongia) and a good sized Chameleon Plant and it only came to $37 including shipping. I only ordered 6 Frogbits and they included extras free. It took me a while to find a store that didn't insist on expensive FedEx Express shipping (which isn't worth the $ here anyway because it's no faster than USPS Priority Mail here since FedEx is routed through USPS here). I'm very pleased with the plants. The expensive shipping was a major barrier for me, personally, once I found a store that allowed Priority Mail shipping, the cost wasn't a problem.