Library program inspires green thumbs

Children from throughout Green River had a chance to take home their own fruit or vegetable-bearing plant from the Sweetwater County Library Thursday afternoon.

The library hosted a garden party for middle school-aged children to promote gardening and growing their own food. Kids could choose between strawberry plants, radishes and peas for their potted plant.

Stacey Palmer, the library's young adult librarian, said the plants were chosen because of their short grow periods. For example, the radish plants should be harvested after about 25 days.

"We wanted to do 'grow your own food,' but didn't want the kids to wait," Palmer said.

Trista Smith, a youth services assistant at the library, said the garden party idea came about because librarians wanted an activity that kicked off the summer months and the library's summer reading program. Because most gardeners wait until late May and early June to plant, Smith said Palmer and the other librarians decided it would be a timely activity.