Gardeners share plants and know-how at plant swap

By Lisa Carolin AnnArbor.com Freelance Journalist

Posted on Sat, Oct 6, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.

Susan Baskett, Dolores Kingston, Jo Gray and Monica Milla discuss plants that they are willing to share with one another.

Lisa Carolin | AnnArbor.com

The brisk wind didn't stop a determined group of gardeners from getting together today at Southeast Area Park off Ellsworth and Platt roads for a plant and seed exchange.

Susan Baskett organized the gathering with the goal of bringing new and experienced gardeners together to share their knowledge and plants.

"For us experienced gardeners, sharing our excess plants is more fun than dumping them on the compost pile or in the compost bins," said Baskett. "For newbies, plant swaps are a great way to learn more and get more plants."

For Dolores and Pete Kingston, it was a desire to share the phlox that they say has taken over their yard.

"It's a treasure hunt to find something new, and we have all this flox to share," said Dolores Kingston. "Nurseries are expensive."

"This is a good way to get free plants and talk to other gardeners," said Monica Milla, a master gardner who has been coming to plant swaps for many years.

"I don't like to kill perennials," said Pete Kingston. "If there's somebody else who can use them, this is a way to find a new home for them."

Milla says that they always hope for new gardeners to get involved because that usually means new plants to share.

Milla brought Japanese anemone, yucca, and rose campion from her garden.

Jo Gray brought ornamental grass and aloe to share. The longtime gardner said that she came to today's exchange because "I'm addicted to flowers!"

She was hoping someone would bring irises but no one did. Baskett said that she's been battling the squirrels over her irises this year.

As the communal gardeners loaded up their trucks, Baskett added another good reason for the exchanges: "The best plants grow when you get them from someone else," she declared.

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