Surprise lillies were among the many plants Ely residents brought to trade during the town’s plant exchange on Saturday, April 27, 2013. This year's plant swap is Saturday, April 26. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Surprise lillies were among the many plants Ely residents brought to trade during the town’s plant exchange on Saturday, April 27, 2013. This year’s plant swap is Saturday, April 26. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Great things are happening in Ely.

This town between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City is cutting-edge when it comes to local foods, with its own farmers market, seed lending library and community gardens.

Ely’s final indoor farmers market of the season is Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Ely Public Library, 1595 Dows St.

Last year, I arrived at the tail end of Ely’s plant swap, and this year’s swap is also happening Saturday, April 26. Along with that, comes an announcement about new gardening classes that will start in May.

Ely’s outdoor farmers markets begin May 3. Find details on that market and more than 50 others on the Homegrown list and see more about this weekend’s events and the upcoming gardening classes from Ali Alldredge:

3rd Annual Plant and Landscape and Tack Swap is Saturday, April 26

Plants of all types and sizes are welcome along with other garden related items at the Swap, Saturday, April 26 in front of Ely City Hall from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We happily accept yard art, mulch, tools, pots, planters, bird baths and lawn furniture. The purpose of the swap is to have FUN! Our goal is for gardeners to gather, share plants, and exchange ideas, and to help new gardeners get started. For anyone looking to swap their plants or to get plants from other gardeners, bring your plants or something to barter. Bring 5 and swap 5, bring 2 and swap 2. The number of items you bring can be swapped 1 to 1. Items remaining at the end of the swap will be cultivated back to Ely by being placed in the parks and along the trail. If you are interested in helping with this let one of the volunteers know. What a great way to start a “Garden Club”!

Hands on Gardening Classes in Ely. Join us at the Ely community garden site as Master Gardeners and other local gardening experts help us design and implement a 40’x40′ vegetable garden. Each class will feature a 15 minute presentation and 45 minutes of hands on garden experience. The class is free and open to the public. Class topics will include tomato staking techniques, 3 sisters gardening, peppers, flowers, organic pest control, weeds, seed saving and more. Class schedule is TBD but will likely begin on Wed. 5/14 at 7:00pm. Contact the Ely Public Library at 319-848-7616 for more information as it is available.