ROCK SPRINGS — Those who are looking for a new plant or seeds will want to check out the House Plant and Seed Swap on Saturday.
This year’s event is scheduled to take place April 24 from noon to 5 p.m. in the Grace Gasson room at the White Mountain Library. Those who plan on attending will need to follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent COVID-19 guidelines.
Event organizer and creator Christina Kopp said the event has been taking place since 2013.
“We have done it almost every year since,” Kopp said. “It has really caught on in the community.”
In 2013, Kopp took Master Gardener class to learn more about gardening. Part of becoming a Master Gardener includes volunteering for 40 hours the first two years after completing the Master Gardener training.
“I chose to do the first Houseplant Swap as part of my volunteering,” Kopp said. “I read about other communities that do it and thought it would be the perfect way to share my love for plants and meet new people.”
Each year, the Master Gardener propagate plants from their own houseplants and collect them from around the community.
“This year we were allowed to propagate houseplants at Western Wyoming Community College. Community members are encouraged to propagate their houseplants and bring them,” Kopp said. “Everyone just brings in any seeds they want to share.”
“The Houseplant and Seed Swap is a wonderful way to share your houseplants and seeds with others in the community,” Kopp said.
This year will be a little different, but it is usually a social affair fostering a sense of community as residents come together to share their houseplants and seeds.
“Then we watch them grow, and come together to continue to share them year after year,” she said.
Those planning to attend the swap, can bring some of the following supplies:
- Rooted plants, fresh cuttings, or newly potted plants or seeds.
- Paper towels and zip bags.
- A box, tote, or thick bag for protecting your new plant.
- Paper to put the house plants on so the car won’t get dirty.
- Pencil and paper to take notes on how to care for your new plant.
Those who do not have seeds or house plants to swap are still welcome to attend.
“Master Gardeners have been caring for plants and have a lot to share. Master Gardeners love to share plants with children, cultivating a love for plants at an early age is very special,” Kopp said. “When you get a plant at the Swap we hope that someday you will gift a plant to another so the growth continues.”
About the Master Gardener Program
Master Gardener trainings are usually offered in the winter and for two years have been online. The group would like to return to in-person classes. There is also new Associate Master Gardener status. An Associate Master Gardener is able to participate in Master Gardener functions, but is not required to take the training or complete specified volunteer hours.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener or an Associate Master Gardener, please call Amanda Romero the group’s Horticulture Assistant at the University of Wyoming Extension at 307-352-6775.
