I don't know about free plants, but growing veggies from seeds is quite inexpensive.

If you're in Redmond, you should check out Molbaks in Woodinville and Flower World in Maltby. Molbak's is closer to you and has more knowledgeable staff, but a bit pricier too. They also sell a lot of home items and accessories, but these tend to be horribly overpriced IMHO. Flower World is less fancy, is further away, and isn't always good about labeling their cultivars, but has generally lower prices and a wider selection of actual plants (especially fuchsias and shrubs). Both stores are large enough that you can get lost in them, and you can expect high quality plants from them.

Molbak's
Flower World

Thanks Merilia,
I also wanted to know how to get started in terms of understanding trees/plants for this area.
I mean I know some common plants but now I need more info such as flowering plants etc. Let m eknow if you have any book in mind.

Thanks

The great thing about this area is that we can grow a very wide range of plants, but obviously some will do better than others. If you're looking for ideas on what plants to grow, your best bet is probably to head to somewhere like the Washington Park Arboretum or the nurseries I mentioned and look around. Also, I bet any neighbors with gardens you like the look of would love to give you advice or at least tell you about the plants they grow.

A good web resource to check out is www.greatplantpicks.org

I haven't found too many books I really like about PNW plant selection specifically. I think Marty Wingate's "The Big Book of Northwest Perennials" could be useful for picking perennials that do well here, but the photos are not that helpful--all macro shots that tell you nothing about a plant's habit or scale. When it comes to roses and shrubs, I mostly research them individually online or in specialized books. Of course, that requires you to already have some idea of what you want.

Here is a link that might be useful: Great Plant Picks

My advice is to join a local garden club.
You will get all the information you need and all the free plants you can handle.
Mike

Go to the Northwest Garden Exchange forum.
ask about exchanging something for plants.
Then plan to come to the Green elephant Plant trade first Sat in November in Redmond.

Here is a link that might be useful: plant trade

You're certainly looking for free plants at the right time of year. Lots of people are dividing overgrown perennials now and will have extras.

Thank you everyone for your input. I have some reading to do as suggested in comments.
I hve not recived and 'free plant' but I have started learning.

This site has some awesome guidance about low maintenance, low impact, native plant gardening. Breaks it out for water/shade variations too, which is priceless.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/nw-yard-and-garden.aspx

Hi...you can subscribe to a gardening magazine, buy a few good reference books and jot down the names of plants you like. By reading, writing and planning before planting season, you will know what kind of garden you want to grow come spring.

Or another option is to hire a landscaping company ti help you have a lush green garden. The choice is yours

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening tips

You said you can't attend the Olympia trade, but maybe you could make it to this one. There are always lots of "freebies" if you don't have plants or seeds to trade and goodies are always welcome, especially chocolate. lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Spring Green Elephant Trade

Craigslist. Tons of free plants. I gave several of my perennial divisions away on CL.

Recommended all around book: American Horticultural Society's Northwest SmartRegion Guide. You can look it up on Amazon. Several cheap used copies available. It's a good pictorial starter guide. Nice clear photos and is organized in a helpful way--by both tree sizes and flowering preferences and perennial colors and habitats.

Good luck!

Also the King County Master Gardeners can help with information from the Washington State University Extension Program with information specific to your area.