Franklin Garden Club holds plant and seed swap at library

FRANKLIN — The Franklin Public Library is calling all plant enthusiasts to participate in its first plant and seed swap April 22.

The event will be held at the Library Reading Garden 2-3:30 p.m.

The community is encouraged to bring seeds, starts, pups, perennials and/or houseplants to swap. It is on a bring one (plant or seed), take one basis.

Florence Rouquet is in charge of adult programming for the Franklin Public Library.

“I am always on the lookout for ideas for programs,” Rouquet said.  “I am very community-oriented, so I have been trying to start doing things with the community and with local organizations.”

Rouquet said she has heard about other communities in other states and countries holding seed and plant swaps, which inspired her to bring it to Franklin.

“I would like the library to start working on sustainability a little, so doing this program with plants and seeds and doing it on Earth Day on April 22 will be a great start,” Rouquet said.

The library is including children in the event as well. There will be seeds in a cup ready to plant for the kids in attendance.

“It gives the children an appreciation at an early age, when they can be introduced to seeds and are planting plants and digging in the dirt,” Franklin Garden Club program chair Marlene Kehoe said.

They have also partnered with the Neighborhood Forest organization to provide free small trees for children. Franklin parents were invited to sign up to get a free tree for their child to plant. While registration is now closed,  Rouquet said they had 31 children register this year.

“You can really learn a lot from people that you live in the community with, and you can introduce your family to it at any age level. It doesn’t have to be young; it can be young, intermediate or elderly,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe said there will be membership forms available for anyone interested in joining the Franklin Garden Club.

“It’s just a way for people to meet each other, especially plant enthusiasts,” Kehoe  said.

Community members interested in this event may also be interested in attending the Garden Walk on Wednesday, June 21, through the Franklin Garden Club.