Spring is a time for planting gardens, making new friends and enjoying warm, sunny weather.
The Friends of the Addison Township Public Library is hoping for all three Saturday, May 22 as when the group hosts its 2nd Annual Plant Exchange & Garden Workshop from 8 to 11 a.m. (rain or shine) in the Addison Township Complex Parking Lot on Rochester Road.
Just as it was last year, the main attraction will be the quite popular ‘From My Yard to Your Yard? Plant Exchange. The way it works is simple ? for every one plant or flower a person brings, they can take one home.
Each exchange participant will be given a number of vouchers that corresponds with the number of plants they brought from their yard. These vouchers can then be exchanged for other plants.
The exchange will feature annuals, perennials, grasses, ground covers, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs and woody vines. Even ‘gently used? gardening books can be exchanged.
It’s advised that baggies, milk containers and plastic pots should be used to keep the plants? root balls in tact for the exchange.
Once you’ve gotten all the plants you want at the exchange wander over to the three resource booths.
The first booth, dubbed ‘Ask the Master Gardeners,? will feature graduates of Michigan State University’s Master Gardener Program voluntarily sharing their comprehensive horticultural knowledge with the rest of amateur green thumbs.
Whatever the question ? lawn care, soil, plants or pests ? the Master Gardeners have an answer. Feel free to bring in samples of sick plants for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Interested in learning more about how to protect the local environment? Check out the Clinton River Watershed Council and Oakland Land Conservancy’s booths.
After hitting the resource booths, head over to the ‘Some Great Herbs to Know and Grow? workshop from 10 to 10:30 a.m. The workshop will be presented by Jan Burns, Advanced Master Gardener and co-chair of Friends of Herbs, Seven Ponds Nature Center.
Following the workshop, stretch your legs a bit with a walking tour of Labodie Park (behind the township complex) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Park Assistant Chuck Peringian will serve as tour guide while participants view the northernmost part of Lakeville Swamp, the rolling terrain of the park area and colorful wildflowers in bloom.
Don’t forget to do a little shopping in between exchanging plants and learning new gardening tips.
The Oakland Land Conservancy will offer butterfly gardens (a balanced mixture of 36 plants designed to attract butterflies in sunny, shady and wetland environments) for $60 each.
Beckwith’s Berries & Blooms will offer potted daylilies in a dozen different varieties ? yellow, red, peach, pink and purple ? from $5 to $10 per pot.
Don’t know what to do with the kids while you’re doing all of the above?
The little ones can either pot marigolds, then decorate the pots, or paint ‘rock critters.?
Budding young artists are advised to wear or bring an old shirt to wear while creating.
Free transportation to and from the event for senior citizens will be provided by a North Oakland Transportation Authority van, coutesy of Oxford Bank. Lead NOTA driver Danny Poole will pick up seniors between 7:30 and 8 a.m. and return them between 11 a.m. and noon.
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to join the Friends of the Addison Township Public Library. The group is currently at 60-plus members, but is always looking for new friends.
Every Friends member, both current and new, who signs in will be entered in a special drawing for prizes ranging from hanging plants and other nursery stock to books and gift certificates for local merchants.