Free Plants!!

Good homes were found for passels of passalong plants today at a small, beautifully landscaped rec center.  Our Spring Plant Exchange drew 50 participants, the best turn-out in recent memory.  Naturally we patted ourselves on the communal back for recently turning 90 years old, which we think makes us the OLDEST GARDEN CLUB IN THE U.S. (and if you know of one older, do let me know).  We were even taped for our local cable TV station - interviews and all.

Here’s how it works.  Members are invited to bring as many or as few plants as they choose to bring and if they have no plants, tools or gardening books are fine, or just a nice snack for the event.  After all, some folks have full gardens and are looking for good homes for their surplus plants and some folks have lots of empty space to fill.

We spent the first 45 minutes seated with the lush array of FREE PLANTS arrayed across the room, pouring over the 5 large tables provided for them, as each person showed us the plants they’ve brought and told us something about them.  Occasionally the group asked questions.  So lots of information was being tossed about, with live green examples on lucious display. Then when I blew an imaginery whistle - hey, I think I’ll buy one! - it was like Wal-Mart opening its doors the day after Thanksgiving, such was the determination of the plant-takers.  They got to choose only one thing at the first imaginery whistle blow, then stand back and pause to plan their next move, which was to jump up again and grab as many plants as they could. 

I was able to observe the mayhem from a nice corner spot because I’d already grabbed my prize. A member donated a book she just knew I’d want, and she was right.  It’s Jerry Baker’s Backyard Problem Solver.  Readers here won’t be surprised to learn that I wanted it coz it’s such terrific rant material, akin possibly to a liberal watching Bill O’Reilly.  Not to mention that now when someone asks me for quotes illustrating Jerry’s amazing quackery, I’ll have them at the ready. 

What I gave away was quite a haul - 4 full-grown hydrangeas and a weeping spruce.  These big items were very popular and went on the first round and I look forward to seeing them thriving in someone else’s garden. The claimers of the spruce were Dave and Joe - this is Dave perusing the plants - and I was especially happy to see it go home with them.  More and more I find my favorite gardens are chockful of conifers, and theirs is a gorgeous example.

So here’s my pitch.  Why aren’t these wonderful events going on in every community, one or more each season?  They help people create gardens, educate gardeners of all levels, and create community while they’re doing it.  And though their money-saving virtues are obvious, most of these plants are something money can’t buy - fully grown.

Now everyone did pay their yearly dues - many of our events are free to the public, but not this one - all of 12 bucks a year for 2 plant exchanges and everything else the club does.  We’re able to keep dues this low and inclusive thanks to our free event space and most of all, transitioning to communicating via email and the club website.

And isn’t it possible that even without a garden club of some sort, any neighborhood association or town could put on an event like this?  Of course for all I know, they’re going on in communities everywhere and I’m just not aware of them.  I hope so.