Central Ohio Plant Swap 2015 (14th year!) - FREE!!

Who: Gardeners of all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times)

What: Central Ohio Plant swap (and potluck lunch)

Where: 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026 (Hilliard Municipal Park)

ASPEN shelter

When: Saturday, May 16, 2015, 10am (RAIN!!! SHINE!!! or HAIL!!!!)

Why: Because we gardeners can’t waste good plants!

How: By bringing plants/seedlings/garden ornaments/garden magazines/seeds/garden tools/bulbs/shrubs/trees etc. to swap/exchange with other gardeners after a potluck lunch

Who’s in charge: Rebecca O'Linn(Mouse), Kim Sailor (daisymomto4) & Sarah Fasimpaur Hill (NuSkewl)

Feel free to let your gardening friends know about this fun informal event! PLEASE – DO NOT – link this announcement to any other websites (ie: Craigslist) without clearing it with Kim (daisymomto4), Sarah (NuSkewl), or Rebecca (Mouse). Any questions can be posted here (GardenWeb thread) or the Facebook group - Central Ohio Plant Swap.

Prior to the swap

*RSVP (optional, but helpful); if you do RSVP, say what potluck goodie you’re bringing so not to duplicate foods

*Let others on GardenWeb/Facebook know what plants/seeds/items you intend to bring (optional)

*Arrange “private swaps” that happen the day of the Central OH plant swap (optional); We will have a private table set up for these swaps for your convenience. (See below for more details)

*Pot-up plants; think of what you’d be excited to receive at the swap and bring something like that. Every item, though, is considered equal value; ie: 1 little plant 3” high is equal in trade/swap to a big rose bush

*Clearly and neatly label every single plant you bring; include as much info about each plant as possible: name of plant, care (sun, part sun, shade), invasive or poisonous, flower color, etc

*Keep count of the number of plants/items you’re bringing (will need total at sign-in the day of the swap)

*Consider donating a door prize; does not have to be gardening related (optional)

*Easily carried container (ie: crate/IKEA bag) to put your plants in during the swap round robin (optional)

Day of the swap

Arrival – 10a-12noon

*Arrive with an excited, happy, sharing heart!

*Drop-off potluck deliciousness (at picnic table potluck area) and labeled swap plants/items in the drop-off area (parking spaces right next to the shelter designated with signage), then park your car.

*Immediately put your plants/items amongst the appropriate category/group (sun, shade, edibles, etc...). There are a few labeled wagons to use to do this, and hopefully, some helpers.

*Sign-in: name, how many plants/items you have brought to swap, and your email address (optional; so we can remind you when the swap’s comin’-up), make a name tag (nickname/screen name optional)

*Put your name in door prize container (optional); drop-off any door prize donations (optional)

*Make a monetary donation to help pay for the shelter (optional, but greatly appreciated - THANK YOU!!)

*Pick a “spot”. Many bring blankets/chairs/tables to make a "spot" for themselves around the shelter so new acquisitions are all together in one place. (optional, but helpful)

*Once settled-in, please… consider helping arriving “swappers” put their items into the appropriate category/group (optional, but a wonderful thing to do – spread the plant swap love!)

*Start viewing plants and get to know/catch up with other gardeners. ( We promise to be friendly!! )

*Pre-arranged “private swaps” can be dropped-off/collected at a table identified along the fence on the playground side of the shelter. “Private swap” goodies MUST BE CLEARLY LABELED – to whom, from whom and what the plant is.

Lunch – announced around 12noon

*Please bring your own re-useable plate/fork/spoon/knife/cup/water bottle/napkin; there will be disposable in case you forget. Gardeners are naturally green!

Swap time – around 1p

1 of the 3 ladies in charge of the swap will announce when it's time to start the actual swap – “round robin” style. There are usually enough plants to go through 4 rounds of the round robin.

1st round: pick 1 plant or item.

2nd round: pick 2 plants or items.

3rd round: pick 3 plants or items.

4th round: pick 4 plants or items.

Usually after the 4th round, everything's pretty well picked-over & there will be an announcement of “free-for-all”. The orphaned plants want a new home. PLEASE TAKE THEM!!

Hope to see everyone there, newbies, “old timers” and everyone in between!