Attention Plant Moms & Dads: PHS Pop Up Gardens Will Be Hosting Plant Swaps, Classes, and More!

Attention Plant Moms & Dads: PHS Pop Up Gardens Will Be Hosting Plant Swaps, Classes, and More!

Looking for something different to do? Perhaps a date idea or chill activities with friends? Well, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) announces new weekly plant-themed events coming to its two Pop Up Gardens, both the Pop Up Garden at South Street and the Pop Up Garden in Manayunk. On select dates starting in early August, plant lovers, gardeners, and those who want to partake in good food, drinks, and sunshine can take part in a variety of fun, weekly events. Whether starting a terrarium, trading plants, or making your own beeswax wraps, the PHS Pop Up Gardens will be a great place to celebrate the outdoors this summer and fall. August programming has been announced with more details visit PHSOnline.org/events

At the monthly PHS Plant Swaps, participants can join in on the swapping by placing their unwanted plants or bagged cuttings on marked tables in the garden. From here, visitors pick a plant they want to take home. Alternatively, guests can trade directly with each other for rare or exotic plants. Master gardeners are onsite to help people identify plants and how to properly care for them. For those who don’t have a plant to swap, there is still an opportunity to take something home: if there are plants remaining at the end of the event, participants without a plant can pick one, and those who have already swapped can take more. PHS offers free plants alongside the ones brought by the community, making it easy to join in as a beginning “plant parent.” In addition, drink specials are offered to guests.

Are you interested in reducing waste? At South Street on August 10, guests can learn how to make their own reusable beeswax food wraps. Beeswax wraps are better for the environment than plastic wrap, which can typically only be used once and takes years to biodegrade. After learning how to make reusable wraps, attendees will be able to take home materials to make more and store food in an eco-friendly way.

This August 17 and 18, learn how to make a terrarium and create your own miniature ecosystem. Terrariums are self-sustaining and require much less upkeep than a full-sized garden, making them a great pick for beginners or gardeners with tight schedules. For $30, you will receive all the materials you need for the perfect mini-garden as well as guided instruction on how to assemble one, perfect to take home with instructions on how to take care of it.

Think you know your horticulture? Teams of up to five can put their knowledge to the test this August and September at Horticulture Quizzo. Players will go up against other teams and answer questions about all types of pollinator plants for prizes and bragging rights. Entry is $10 with pre-registration required, and teams will be able to take advantage of drink specials during the event.

To learn more about these and other PHS events, visit PHSonline.org

Terrariums and plant swaps are not the only things available for visitors at Pop Up Garden events this summer. Food and drinks such as the Spring Spritz with Ketel One Botanicals peach and orange blossom vodka, lime and sparkling rosé or the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with cayenne-glazed fried chicken tenders, bread & butter pickles, and coleslaw are available for purchase. Menus with options for vegans and vegetarians — along with a full bar — offer guests something for every taste. PHS’s combination of good food, drinks, and horticulture make either Pop Up Garden visit a great night out.

By visiting the PHS Pop Up Gardens for programming, visitors can meet other like-minded plant lovers while supporting PHS community programs. Some of these include PHS Harvest, the cleaning and greening of over 12,000 vacant lots in the region, the planting of almost 2,000 trees annually, and the support of more than 160 community gardens.

LOCATIONS
The Pop Up Garden at South Street
1438 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146

The Pop Up Garden at Manayunk
106 Jamestown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19127