To ask for your tips to not appear on crimewatch?

[OvergroundWomblingFree]

So I've begun a course and I want to not end up on crime watch and I'm not sure what's legal or just cheeky fuckery

Seem to have enraged some posters. The help me not appear on crime watch thing was really being tongue in cheek - I would far prefer NOT to steal anyone's flowers so the other tips are very helpful

If someone has a hedge that grows out onto a pavement - like over there garden wall, is that their property and very bad form to snip any off that side? Not talking lots, a few large leaves? Do they have to trim this side anyway so if I ask likely not to mind?

I will try the supermarkets at end of the day and give the crematorium a call along with some freecycle/fb posts

It's a bit of whoever runs the course to assume everyone knows they will be providing their own materials, or that people have access to a variety of floral materials or can afford them.

If someone has a hedge which grows over, just ask them.

Don't get caught- that is my top tip right there... 😏

Are you high OP?

Do florists chuck out at the end of the day ever? Would befriending one be an option?

A woman I know who does still-life photos of flowers in all manner of pots, jars, cups and vases got loads of her blooms free from the florists next door to where she used to work. So yes, befriending a florist would be helpful it you want free or cheap flowers!

If you feel you can't knock on doors, what about a polite 'leaflet' drop? A nice note with your explanation of what you're after and why, with an alternative email address (ie not your usual one, one made for this purpose) for people to get back to you. Might elicit some response, might not, but worth a go. Costs pence if you print three or four of the same message on an A4 sheet. Good luck, and no thievery!!

Are you for real????!!!

I think OP was being tongue in cheek and was wanting to get suggestions about how she can get flowers and foliage without spending much. Lots of good suggestions have been given. I don't think she plans to sneak into folks gardens at night to clear their flower beds!

I did a flower arrange course years ago, it does work out expensive. Foliage is ok, I used to take a bit of Ivy or pussy willow etc from plants on common land when out for a walk but buying all the other stuff is expensive. I never stole flowers, and besides how will you source the other crap you have to buy such as endless vases and oasis?

A walk in the woods and meadows would provide lovely grasses, cow parsley, rose bay willow herb etc.

If you're on the breadline then I feel compelled to ask if this course is a free one? If so, and you can't afford the materials, then why not just quit until you can? Is the course for leisure? Or are you using it to obtain skills to help with employment/earnings? If you're doing it to better yourself and your situation then I totally understand but if not then it seems daft to go and spend money on flowers when you're broke. I don't condone nicking them. From anywhere.

I came out my house the other day and there was a little old lady stood on the pavement and getting cuttings off some bush we have growing in our front garden against the fence. Dh followed me out and I whispered to him that the lady was getting cuttings.

She looked up and saw us, we both said good morning. She said good morning, looked shifty and trotted off. I didn’t mind at all.

DO you Iive in London?

If so go to covent garden flower market (now in Vauxhall) at closing. Tons of gorgeous flowers get chucked- have a rummage through the bins round the back or just hang around them. I've been given many bunches of flowers by the sellers at closing- was always walking to work nearby not actually after flowers so you'd get loads by actually hanging around/asking.

I know in Birmingham at the market they open around 4am and sell flowers more cheaply than any supermarket.

Nice offices often have fancy flowers in reception they throw out at the end of the week. Ask the receptionist who to email to ask.

I have quite a large garden. Not many flowers but lots of foliage. I'd let you have it in return for some weeding. The weeding here is neverending!

You need to ask - talk to your local florists and find out if they'd be willing to let you have anything which they haven't sold and which is past its best. Also the idea of the crematorium is a good one - again go and ask.

Do not go and help yourself to people's hedges etc. Even if they do overhang onto a pavement or path - it's still their property. I spend a huge amount of my time working on my garden. A lot of what I am growing at the moment I've grown myself from seed, so I'd be pretty ticked off if I caught you helping yourself to bits of it just because it was accessible.

Flowers can be expensive, but it's on you to try and find a legal and ethical way of overcoming the challenge of getting your course materials on a budget. Do you honestly think it's OK to say I can't afford what I want so I am simply going to take it for free?

Taking cultivated plants/flowers from a park definitely stealing but at this time of year there are loads of "weed" or wild flowers on the side of roads... I did a great arrangement out of cow parsley!

I'm sure DH would be happy to give you some if you asked. 😊

@PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks I don't have a DH. I think exH would sooner give me hand grenades than flowers

Put a shout out on Facebook for anyone local who has anything you could 'borrow' - loads of people have all kinds of overgrown shite in their gardens so would be thankful to have someone to come and borrow it.

Contact your local independent florists and explain why you need the flowers and see if they'll give you their almost-dead stuff for a low price. Contact any local supermarkets, too, and check the little co-ops and Aldi's near you' they always have super cheap flowers and the co-op nearest to us always has them reduced to around 50p.

As for not appearing on Crimewatch, my advice is always wear a balaclava. It's sweaty, yes, but security comes first!

I meant mine! 😂 What I'm trying to say is that if you ask, most people will say yes.

All the floristry courses I’ve seen cost £££££ to do. Typically a 6 or 8 week course is £200 or so, but includes the flowers each week.

Daffodils in Aldi are 95p, but they are getting to the end of the season. Their roses are about £2.50. You’d probably need some other plant material to bulk them out though. Could you get growbags and plant them up, or window box type things?

We're in the south west but don't have much in the garden at the moment, some little white flowers and bits and pieces (had snowdrops, daffodils etc. which are gone now), if you're anywhere near we can try to help.

And yes, as a PP said, wear a balaclava! (And thick gloves and clothes that disguise you well!)

Also, start a thread about "AIBU to ask for help with my flower course, and if I am not, does anyone in my area have some flowers I could swap some gardening for or have for free?"

Also, find out if PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks is near you and ask them (and their DH) for help.