CORKERY – The first of two, the Corkery Veggie Swap kicked off last night with a few patient growers and some delicious looking crops.

The Corkery Community Association hosted their second annual veggie swap last night (Aug. 15), where community gardeners could come to the community centre and swap their bounteous produce with other like-minded individuals for produce that maybe didn’t flourish as hoped.

It was also the perfect evening to share stories on the growing season and tips for future gardens.

So far, it hasn’t been a great growing season for Corkery Community Association President Katherine Woodward.

“I only have one lonely summer squash to swap,” she told West Carleton Online. “I haven’t had much luck this year.”

She has also had a newborn to raise along with her many responsibilities with the community association. And possibly pests.

“I think it’s a rabbit,” she said.

Luckily for Woodward, it’s been a good year for Corkery resident Jackie Bassett. She operates a greenhouse and brought with her green peppers, onions, swiss shard and kale.

“I planted them April 14,” she told West Carleton Online. “When it got hot, the plants exploded. Swiss shard grows like a weed. The radishes came up fast and finished fast.”

Bassett also has an outdoor garden she tends to.

Corkery will hold another veggie swap on Aug. 29 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. for those with lots of veggies still on the vine and a sharing nature. Woodward thinks, if she can solve her pest problem, she will fare much better with the tomatoes. She says the veggie swap is just a fun little community building event – not a means of stocking your winter stores.

“I really like it,” she said. “Last year I had lots and lots of stuff. When you have a vegetable garden, you always end up with lots of one thing.”

There is no need to register for the Corkery Veggie Swap, just head out with your veggies, drop by and chat with your fellow gardeners.