Plant sale, swap set for Sept. 19

Area gardeners are gearing up for the 10th annual plant sale and exchange at Savannah Rapids Pavilion on Sept. 19.

//

Organized by the Cherokee Rose Garden Club, the extension offices of Columbia and Richmond counties and local master gardeners, the event is free to the public.

Betsy Ristroph, one of this year's event coordinators, said the sale and swap will take place, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until noon.

"Response is great to our swap/sale," said Ristroph. "Attendance has grown each of the nine previous years it has been held. There are now several vendors who have become regulars."

For those interested in participating in the event, Ristroph emphasizes that there is no parking or set up fee. But each participant must bring his or her own table.

"Many Cherokee Rose Garden Club members are master gardeners who will be on hand to offer advice about using the plants available that day and gardening in general," said Ristroph.

Because fall is the best time to add plants to the landscape, Ristroph said now is the perfect time to acquire new plants for the garden.

"Many of the plants are what we call 'pass-along plants,' meaning they aren't usually available in nurseries, but are often shared among gardeners at events like this," she said.

The event is open not just to those bringing plants, but to anyone who wants to share garden-related items, such as yard art and bird houses.

"The event includes both selling and swapping or exchanging plants," said Ristroph. "People are encouraged to come even if they don't have any plants to bring."

Local beekeeper Deborah Sasser will also be at the sale/swap.

For information on this year's event, call Ristroph at (706) 738-4684 or via e-mail at bristoph@knology.net.