Published: Monday, September 28, 2015
By Rita Manno
Plant swap. Ever heard of it. Well they know all about it at Medford Leas, a not-for-profit community for older adults. And it is very popular.
Get ready. Set. Go. There’s an appointed time when that plant you’ve been eyeing can be yours. When it’s time that a neighbor of a community member is ready to swap her plant for yours. (“Oh my. That will be perfect in my garden”)
On Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 pm. rain or shine residents and members of the community will gather with their plants in hand in pots marked with the name of the plant and planting instructions.
The plant swap program is part of the Pathways to Learning program offered by Medford Leas, a not-for-profit residential community for older adults. All their programs – concerts, workshops, lectures and “get your hands dirty” plant swap events. Visit www.medfordleas.org for more information. There is no fee for this event but registration is required.
Totally committed to nature – plants, shrubs, trees – that are part of the nationally recognized Barton Arboretum. This plant swap event will be at the Lumberton Campus Community Center.
“We thought the Arboretum setting provides a wonderful back drop for this to take place,” says Jane Weston, Director of Development & Community Relations at Medford Leas.
“Somehow it works out, mostly due to the enthusiasm of home gardeners who love to share plants, stories and successes and trials in their gardens,” says Weston. She and Debbie Lux, Medford Leas horticulturist are in charge of the event. Many of the residents will be helping out.
While plant swaps have been common in many other places, this is the first time Medford Leas will host such an event.
What is particularly helpful are the planting instructions that accompany each plant. People are very careful to make sure the new owner understands how to grow the plants and keep them robust. Swapping plants also helps a gardener to “deciliter” his garden and plant something new.
