Tech Native Plant Garden To Relocate, You Can Help Saturday

A Native Plant Garden on the Tech Campus will need to be relocated due to renovations and you could benefit.

Associate Professor of Biology Shawn Krosnick has created a Saturday event out of the challenge, inviting the public to come help put plants in pots before construction begins on Johnson Hall. The garden is located between Johnson and Pennebaker Hall.

“The garden is going to be a construction zone and so it’s possible many of the plants will be damaged,” Krosnick said. “So we thought what was a good idea is to ask for help from the public in terms of getting those plants out of the ground and into pots.”

Krosnick said in exchange the public can keep some of the plants the department does not need. The Native Plant Rescue takes place Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Johnson Hall renovations will begin early next year. Krosnick said there are 75 different species of plants that have been tagged for safe keeping.

“We’re interested in educating folks about the potential use of native plants in horticultural settings,” Krosnick said. “This is an opportunity where we can do that and invite as many people as possible to get involved with the process and also learn about native plants and take some home for their own garden. We have more than enough to share of many of the plants.”

The space has a greenhouse and seven beds representing different habitats in Tennessee. She said she has been in contact with Cookeville Leisure Services Director Rick Woods about transplanting some of the species to Cane Creek Park.

“We also like hope that during the construction that not too much of the garden is damaged beyond repair,” Krosnick said. “May be it will be completely possible for us to just restart again after the construction period is over, so we’re just doing this to be extra careful. I do think there will certainly be an absence that’s noticed in regards to the courses we teach but also the students really use that garden space quite frequently.”

Krosnick helped establish the garden in 2017 as a teaching tool and place for students to congregate.

The Native Plant Rescue event will also have free apple cider, botanical art for sale, a bake sale, a demonstration on how to press plants and games for kids.