By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The tables lined with plants were like a smorgasbord for people hungry to start their spring planting.
The fifth annual Wood County Plant Exchange this morning at the county fairgrounds offered gardeners a chance to trade plantings that may have overgrown in their yards, and pick up new plants to try. There were trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, berries, seeds, bulbs, ground covers, grass, daylilies, hostas and vines. There were plants that are fast spreading, and those that thrive in shade and sun.
“I’m very excited. This is really cool,” said Pat Snyder, of Grand Rapids, who was stocking up on canna lilies and a spider plant. “And my daughter is dragging something around.”
Some of the plants weren’t much to look at. But people with green thumbs were able to look beyond the scraggly appearance to see the potential of the plants.
“I had no idea it was this big of a deal, and it had this many kinds of plants,” said Jan Lyon, of Bowling Green. She brought hostas that she traded for myrtle. “I’ve been giving them away to everyone I can think of,” she said of the hostas.
Lyon said she would definitely return next spring for more. “I’ll build up my muscles for next year.”
With her arms, bags and boxes full of plants, Yvonne Martinez, of Bowling Green, had her day cut out for her.
“My husband’s getting started already. He’s digging holes,” Martinez said as she finished rounding up the blackeyed susans, lilies, cactus, marigold seeds and much more. She traded in several cannus plants, which her husband grew tired of, and enlisted the help of her sister and mom for planting her exchanges.
Lyn Long, of Bowling Green, came to the exchange looking for dahlias. She didn’t find any, so she settled on some daisies, blackeyed susans, a tomato plant, and three different kinds of pepper plants. “When they start producing, I’ll figure out what they are,” Long said, smiling.
David Ingmire, of Wood County Master Gardeners, said the plant exchange gives people an opportunity to share their extra plants and find something new for their yards. It’s also a chance for budding gardeners to learn from experts on which plants and live peacefully together and which ones fight for space. They also heard from experts on topics such as fairy gardens, terrariums, succulents and bee keeping.
“It’s a chance to give back to the community through sharing plants and educating,” Ingmire said.
The goal is to get people out and planting. “We’re giving you a mixture of plant materials,” said Ken Lewis. “We’re trying to get more people involved in planting, so they appreciate the world more.”
Craig Everett, of OSU Extension Office, said the exchange is a way to help gardeners blossom.
“It’s a good way for the community to interact and try new things,” he said.
