Article on Perennial Exchange

Chris suggested I should share the following article with you, once I
completed it.  I would also like to offer my thanks for your input,
which was, as usual, invaluable!!
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                   Plant exchange a perennial favorite
    This Saturday, the Master Gardeners will host a Perennial Plant
Exchange at .............. The perennial exchange begins at 9 a.m.
Admission of $1 will be charged, and plants inspected for insects and
disease symptoms.

    Everyone is welcome to bring plants for exchange, and all types of
plants are accepted except woody ones, like roses.

    Not sure what to bring or how to prepare your plants?  Here are a
few guidelines.

    Take a look around your garden.  Surely there are some plants that
have outgrown their boundaries and need dividing.  Or you have divided
as far as you can and you are about ready to put some divisions on the
compost heap.  Rather than do that, please consider bringing some of
these divisions to the Perennial Exchange.  Not only will you be able to
get rid of some of your extra plants, but you may find a plant or two
you would like to have in your garden.

There are a couple of things to consider.  If your plants are common
ones, you can count on many of them being at the Exchange.  Try to chose
a few uncommon plants to bring.  These will go quickly.

    When preparing the plants for the sale, consider the container you
want to use.  If you are using an old (used) gallon container, be sure
to clean the container thoroughly, using a mixture of soap, water and a
little bleach.  Dry the container completely before placing some soil
and your plant in the pot.

    Some of you will bring rooted cuttings.  Please be sure to keep the
roots moist and place the rooted cutting in a baggie.  Be careful tying
the bag, so that you are not cutting into the plant.

    Carefully labeling your plants is extremely important.  You should
include information such as the name of your plant (both the common and
Latin names would be great!), as well as the color.  Also include
cultural information.  Does your plant do better in sun or shade, moist
soil or dry?  How tall does the plant get?  How wide?  Many people would
be interested to know if the plant is considered invasive, so if you
have that sort of information available to them, it is a plus.  However,
the most important items to include on your label are the name, the
color, and the cultural information.

    We encourage everyone who has thought about attending the Exchange
in the past to join us this year!!!!  We are anticipating an excellent
turnout, and there will be Master Gardener volunteers on hand to answer
your gardening questions.

    So, take up or divide your extra plants, pot them up, and bring them
with you to the Perennial Plant exchange on May 2,1998.  Expect to come
away with a new plant or two, some great  gardening advice, and maybe
even the beginnings of a new friendship.  But beware........you may end
up going back home and digging a new and wonderful flower bed!!!!
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I hope everyone enjoyed this article!  Thanks for letting me share it
with you.

Lisa Roth
zone 6

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