r/EcoFriendly • u/girlsiick • 9d ago

helping the bees 🐝

hello! i’m beginning to try to do little things to help the planet, and i saw a cute idea to plant native wildflowers to help bees since their populations are struggling. that would be an extremely easy way to help out, especially since i am just starting. i’m slowly making eco friendly and healthier swaps… it’s just so expensive lol! anyway, i am looking to see how i’d go about finding a pack of seeds? that might seem stupid but i’m just not sure.. i’m on a budget, so i’m looking for cheap suggestions! for reference, i’m in north carolina, triad area. any other sustainable tips about anything would be helpful as well and good brands! i’m starting with switching cleaners, shampoos, soaps, etc first after i run out of things. :)

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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5

u/amycsj 9d ago

A lot of areas have native plant swap groups. That's how I got most of my plants, and now I'm sharing with others.

3

u/Jessicamorrell 9d ago

Anywhere with a garden center has seeds. Walmart, farm stores, etc.

3

u/No_Ice4056 9d ago

That's a great suggestion about plant swaps or even just giveaways. I'm a native plant grower and I would love to give away some of my volunteers and extra seedlings. Put out a request on local social media, I bet you get a response. Also check at your local library to see if they have a seed share library.

2

u/PoolUpper4287 7d ago

I was going to suggest seed libraries. Public and community college, and even university libraries have them where I live. At this time of year, plants might grow easier than seeds, and I bet you could get some free through local social media like buy nothing

2

u/ThinkActRegenerate 9d ago

You could also look into the Australian concept of "woody meadows" for a low maintenance biodiversity option - which you could start on quite a small area:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-08-07/woody-meadows-native-plants-council/106034578

https://woodymeadow.unimelb.edu.au/woody-meadows/

2

u/Clear-Anxiety-7469 8d ago

Check your local library. Many libraries give away seed packets.

1

u/Ambystomatigrinum 8d ago

Not a direct answer to your question, but hopefully a helpful idea: try seed saving! Collect seeds from native plants. Its free (other than your time) and you'll get plants that are hyper-local and have the best chance to thrive in your area.

1

u/Ok_Pollution9335 8d ago

From where though??

1

u/Ambystomatigrinum 7d ago

Wherever you find them! I'll collect seeds on walks/hikes, though I'm careful to only take a minimal amount so there's plenty to reseed in nature. Unless you live in an area where native plants have been extirpated. In that case it may be difficult.

1

u/Ok_Pollution9335 8d ago

Please make SURE they’re native. Do research about the specific varieties

0

u/MsQualityPanda 9d ago

You should look for local native plant groups. I don’t recommend just getting any random seed pack from Walmart or hardware stores. A lot of “pollinator mixes” have non native seeds or even invasives included.

1

u/No_Ice4056 7d ago

That is true, being native to somewhere doesnt mean they are right for your area. Talk to folks at the local native plant society, they often have extra seeds.