In the days after the area’s unexpectedly long ice/snow event in February, social media was swimming in questions about plant and landscape damage. “Will my azaleas survive?” “My hedges look dead!” ‘Will my trees come back?” “I think I’ve lost everything!” “Help!!”
Neighborhoods and groups around the country often host ‘plant swaps’, small gatherings for homeowners and gardeners to swap things they have for other things they want. The swaps are fun, they save people money and they help build community. It seemed like an idea whose time had come. There was the need, the desire, the interest- we just needed a space Enter Deshea and Edgar Guzman, owners of The Lot Downtown SHV, a cool new space at the old Sportran bus terminal, 400 Crockett, that has become a go-to location for live music, outdoor boxing matches, food trucks and art markets. The Guzmans volunteered to host immediately and the Snowmageddon Plant Swap was born.
On Saturday, April 24 from 10am-3pm, folks are invited to come with plants, seeds, cuttings, rootings, garden art, garden equipment or other items to swap for other things they want- to come to talk about gardening and plants with Master Gardeners from the NW Louisiana Master Gardeners, or to come and purchase a plant from The Plant Station, Cone Farm and Garden Mart and goodies from vendors like Wired & Sassy LLC, and Queen Bee Hippie. While there, enjoy Greek, Jamaican or Mexican food at Yeero, Yeero, Taylor’d Eatz, or Taqueria El Eden.
Meet Caddo Parish Commissioner John Paul Young to talk about his tree planting and fruit tree initiative, talk to members of Slow Food North Louisiana to find out how gardening and the Slow Food movement intersect, purchase worm castings, pick through our re-purpose/renew table for items that you might have a new purpose for, flip through a small mountain of cookbooks that will be available for free, and talk about all things gardening- both indoor plants and outdoor landscaping.
There are only a few rules for the Swap. 1. Swapping begins at 10 am. 2. Smiles (under masks) are mandatory. 3. Be nice. The way the swap will work is pretty simple. You will see something that you want and try to strike a deal by barter, negotiation, persuasion and/or flattery. If you are unsuccessful, you will move to the next person. We’re going to be winging it as we go and having fun doing it!
Admission to the event is free, and free parking around The Lot will be marked with signs. All on street metered parking is also free on weekends. Bring both a small cardboard box to carry your plant haul and a sense of adventure and we will see you at the swap!
For more information about the Snowmageddon Plant Swap, go to: https://downtownshreveport.com/plantswap/
