Northern Tier Library Sponsors Plant Sale, Exchange

Soon it will be time to put in your garden and what better place to buy your flowers than the library?

The is sponsoring its Sixth Annual Plant Sale on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library currently is accepting pre-orders for flats and hanging baskets. The event serves as a fundraiser for the library.

Gardeners also may bring plants to exchange at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18.

The plant exchange is a favorite with patrons, according to Diane Illis, library communications specialist. Gardeners bring two plants, one to donate to the library sale and one to exchange.

“People are encouraged to bring in plants that they just have too many of. We get all sorts of plants – ferns, day lilies, daffodils, columbines, lilies of the valley – a wide variety,” she said.

Gardeners are allowed to bring as many plants as they want for the exchange.

“Some bring four, two to exchange and two to donate. It has become really popular,” said Illis. “In theory, it is a one-for-one exchange, but a lot of gardeners are far more generous and donate a lot more.”

Jackie Cummings, president of the Board of Trustees for the library,  said, “It isn’t just a plant exchange, but also an exchange of ideas and tips.”

About 25 to 30 gardeners typically attend the exchange, which also includes snacks and beverages.

“I think the gardeners like getting together to talk with other gardeners as much as to exchange plants,” said Cummings. “They like to come and mingle.”

The plant sale features a variety of annuals and perennials, and vegetables and herbs. For larger orders, the library prefers pre-orders by flats.

“They don’t have to order a whole flat of one kind of plant," Cummings said. "They can order half a flat of one kind of plant, then half of another.”

Flats are $12.75 and include a wide variety of plants, including (but not limited to) begonias, asters, impatiens, marigolds, strawflowers, petunias and periwinkles. Hanging baskets are $12.75 for smaller baskets and $20 for larger baskets. You also may order individual plants, including patio tomatoes and herbs.

Cummings encourages everyone to stop by the sale; you don’t need to have pre-ordered flowers.

“We always order extra and, of course, there are the plants from the exchange,” she said. “We also order extra vegetable plants which we break down because most people don’t want a whole flat of tomatoes.”

There also will be some potted plants, hanging baskets, small trees and shrubs for sale, depending on availability.

Over the years, the library has raised close to $5,000, according to Cummings. The money is used to do planting and landscaping maintenance outside of the library building.

The Northern Tier Library is located at 4015 Dickey Road, Gibsonia. For more information, contact 724-449-2665 or visit www.northerntierlibrary.org. You may access the order form by clicking here or picking one up at the library.