By Martha Woodward

New Harvest Park was the setting for a plant swap and potluck picnic lunch organized by local garden enthusiasts on Sunday, May 24. The yearly event was attended by approximately forty people.

We only have a few rules," explained Laura Madmouser, one of the organizers for the event. "No selling--trade only. Bring plants or garden goods and swap for what you want. Also, bring food for the picnic."

Madmouser, who hosts the web site for the group  http://www.knoxplantswap.com/ was pleased with the facilities at the park. "The shelter is excellent," she said. "There is a surprisingly cool breeze once inside."

As the swap began people pulled their trucks and cars into the parking lot and began unloading a variety of items which included potted plants, water plants, seed packets, gardening magazines, small trees, and enough food to make a bountiful table full of delicious treats.

As the swapping got underway, some people met with individuals they had contacted over the internet for pre-arranged swaps, while others browsed the sidewalks to see what was available.

Strawberry plants provided by an event organizer who prefers to go by Brandon were a popular selection as were day lilies, irises, and decorative grasses.

One young woman was trading canned beets for plants while another was trading homemade cloth bags. Laura Madmouser also traded sun catchers and wind chimes.

One thirty-something couple. who happened to be visiting the park, stopped by to see what was going on and were soon discussing gardening tips with other attendees. They left with an arm full of plants, too.

"Take what you need," said Cheryl Peters. "You can pay me back in plants this fall when we meet again."

Midway through the sharing, the group stopped to enjoy the potluck picnic.

After lunch, the guest speaker was Chad Hellwinckel who spoke about the Knoxville Permaculture Guild. Hellwinckel defined permaculture as the way in which human harness energy to do the least damage to the earth. He asked the group to think about the ways in which they were using energy and ways in which they could conserve. He asked them to think about building garden beds rather than digging up the soil and to install water barrels on gutters in order to catch and save rainwater.

"Before you build anything or do any kind of activity, you need three reasons to do it," he advised. "In reality, we need to leave the earth the way we found it." Hellwinckel's group can be found at www.knoxpermaculture.ning.com.

As the event ended, everyone was giving away as many plants as they could. "I do not want to take these back home," said Ione Smith, who was also one of the event organizers.

"Now all we have to do is find a place to plant what we swapped for," commented Cheryl Peters.