Spring Plant Exchange

The Spring 2010 issue of Country Gardens magazine highlights what I think is a WONDERFUL idea - a PLANT EXCHANGE - especially an Heirloom Plant Exchange! It's been a really long time since I've been apart of a plant exchange but must admit reading the article brought back fond memories. After this, I may just have to organize one for our community.

If you'd like to organize a plant exchange as well, the article mentions several ways to go about hosting one. Here are several things to consider:

Time of the Year:

1. Since Saturday's are convenient for most people, it's recommended an exchange is hosted at that time in the early spring.

Location:

1. Select a location with access to plenty of parking like a park, recreation center at a community park or a school.

Partner with Your Local Parks & Recreation Department:

1. If you can get your local parks and recs department to allow you to host it on their grounds, they might consider helping to promote the event by sending out details to their mailing list, placing an ad in their community bulletin or newsletter.

Promote:

1. Be sure to post announcements of your exchange in libraries, community centers, grocery stores, garden centers and farmer's markets.
2. Include instructions (how many plants to bring, whether they should be planted within a container, with or without labels, descriptions and directions on caring for the plants, bring boxes or bags to take plants home in).

Setup:

1. Before the time of the event, post signs providing direction to the exchange, arrange the area where the exchange is to take place.
2. You can even have signs for each type of item being made available such as 'bulbs', 'herbs', 'trees', etc.
3. If you want to communicate in the future, make sure to place a sign-in sheet so you can send out notifications about future events.

Design Instructions for Participation:

1. Provide instructions on the process;
2. Provide popsicle sticks and adhesive labels for anyone who might need to label their plants;
3. Review the rules before the exchange begins;
4. Have participants select 1 plant at a time before moving on to the next area of selection;
5. Invite everyone to help themselves to any leftovers that remain at the end.

Be sure to take pictures. Let me know if you host one and how well it does. I'm more than happy to post photos on the blog of your successful event. Hopefully, it will become an annual affair for your community. Seems like a great way to pass on traditional heirloom plants.

Have fun!