Tag plants

The photograph shows an array of green houseplants in white, gray, and black pots, underneath three suspended light fixtures with Edison bulbs. They are placed on a wooden table in a white room and there is a window with light coming through in the background.

Community Plant Swap

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The photograph shows an array of green houseplants in white, gray, and black pots, underneath three suspended light fixtures with Edison bulbs. They are placed on a wooden table in a white room and there is a window with light coming through in the background.
Photo by vadim kaipov on Unsplash.

Calling all plant lovers and the plant-curious! Join us for our (free!) first plant swap at HCLS Miller Branch on Saturday, July 13 from 2-4 pm. In addition to spaces to give, take, and trade live plants, we’ll also have informational stations about how to propagate common houseplants, how to set your plants up for success, and more! The Community Plant Swap is a great opportunity to meet, chat with, and learn from other community members who propagate and grow plants in their households, and it’s also an eco-friendly way to minimize plant waste.

Have an abundance of healthy seedlings, cuttings, bare-root or potted plants? Bring them to the Take-a-Plant area so they can find a new home. Attendees also have the option to bring suboptimal-looking plants to the Plant Rehab station.

Want to expand your plant collection without breaking the bank? Bring a box or other container(s) to gather and take home new plant friends.

Interested in negotiating a direct trade with fellow plant enthusiasts? Head to the Trade-a-Plant area for 1-on-1 plant swaps, perfect for rare plant collectors.

Interested in gardening tools? Weather permitting, the Enchanted Garden will have a “Tool Shed” station where attendees can give and take tools and other supplies, with a volunteer available to explain different purposes and techniques for using tools.

Items we WILL accept: 

  • Potted plants 
  • Bare root plants 
  • Plant cuttings or “babies”  
  • Mid-season – late-season seedlings/starts for vegetable gardens 
  • Gardening tools 
  • Pots, vases, and containers 
  • Small, sealed bags of potting soil, coco coir, vermiculite, etc. (ex. 8 qt bag of all-purpose potting mix)
  • Plant food/fertilizer 
  • Bulbs 
  • Seeds to donate to our new Seed Library (coming soon)!

We will NOT accept: 

This event is drop-in and first-come, first-served. Register here if you’d like to receive event updates and reminders.

The photograph is a collage of the six books in the blog post: Garden Day!, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, The Hidden Rainbow, On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring, Spectacular Spring, and Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More. All are against a background of a blue cloudy sky with tall green grasses and pink and white flowers with yellow centers.

A Season of Spectacular Beginnings

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Spring Picks for Little Kids

The photograph is a collage of the six books in the blog post: Garden Day!, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, The Hidden Rainbow, On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring, Spectacular Spring, and Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More. All are against a background of a blue cloudy sky with tall green grasses and pink and white flowers with yellow centers.

By Sylvia H.

Though it is difficult to know if we’ve had our complete winter experience, signs of spring are beginning all around. If you’re ready to welcome spring, here is a selection of books for young children to get you started. As always, if you’re interested in more recommendations, visit your local branch. We will be happy to help!

Spectacular Spring: All Kinds of Spring Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone

“Spring is a season of spectacular beginnings.” In the book, Spectacular Spring by Bruce Gladstone, readers are introduced to facts about the season of spring, including answers to questions like, “How do umbrellas work?” and “How do baby birds hatch?” Following a preview to “Super Summer,” the book ends with instructions for six spring-themed activities, including seed jars, dirt for dessert, and mud painting. Striking photos with bright and bold text make this nonfiction book a great selection for elementary-aged children.

Garden Day! by Candice Ransom

Join the brother and sister duo from Apple Picking Day! and Pumpkin Day! as they prepare their garden for spring along with their parents. From gathering tools to watering their plants, the family works together, having fun along the way. With large print, colorful illustrations, and simple, rhyming text, Garden Day! by Candice Ransom is a great choice for emerging readers.

The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson

Winter is melting away, and one little bee is ready to eat! In Christie Matheson’s adorable story, The Hidden Rainbow, the reader is invited to help the little bee find the colors of the rainbow hidden throughout the garden. Tickle tulip leaves, blow flower buds, and more, as this interactive picture book combines the concepts of colors, counting, and simple lessons about bees and flowers. Preschool readers can enjoy the watercolor illustrations, and everyone will learn something about the importance of bees and pollination.

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming

It’s the most anticipated battle of the spring: Mr. McGreely versus three hungry bunnies! Mr. McGreely prepares the garden of his dreams, filled with lettuce, carrots, peas, and tomatoes. He is not, however, prepared for the obstacles he will face trying to protect his garden from the sneaky bunnies enjoying the yummy veggies. Determined to make his garden bunny proof, Mr. McGreely works to make his garden bigger and better. Will it be enough to stop those “pesky puff-tails”? Readers can enjoy cheering for the bunnies or Mr. McGreely in this silly and enjoyable story.

On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring by Buffy Silverman

How do we know when spring is on its way? In this book, readers are introduced to some of the various signs of spring, from the drifting of ice and drooping of snowmen to the warming of flowers and singing of blackbirds. The back of the book provides informative descriptions about the subjects mentioned in the book, great for discussing with preschool and early elementary-aged children. With astounding photography and simple, rhyming text, young readers will enjoy learning how to search the world around them for signs of spring.

Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More! Poems for Two Voices by Carole Gerber

What can be better than learning about the wonders of springtime? Learning about the wonders of springtime through interactive poetry! The poems in this book are made to be read aloud by two voices, delineated through spacing on the page and colors of the text. Readers are introduced to a variety of information about the plant and insect worlds, including seed germination and pollination, in an enjoyable format with bright, beautiful illustrations.

Sylvia is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Miller Branch. She enjoys crafting, listening to audiobooks, naps, and walks with her dogs in 75 degree-ish weather.