When Robert “Barty” Robarge, a legally blind man, started an online meetup of plant lovers in March, he never envisioned how he would come to see the beauty of kindness.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
His mission has far surpassed his original goal of spreading the joy of gardening while socializing. Instead, he’s sowing the seeds of love, friendship, generosity and compassion in an Inland area-based group that’s grown from 30 to more than 1,650 members.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Through his lifeline, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, Robarge has grown a green exchange called Plant Traders Inland Empire Ca Garden Trading Community. Members meet to swap whole plants, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, trees, pots, planters, gardening tools and decorations, eggs, chickens, fruits, vegetables, homemade baked goods and bottled water. There’s no need to bring credit cards, because nothing is sold, but eagerly traded or given away.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“So many of them, like myself, were in a dark place,” said Robarge, 47, who lives in Lake Elsinore with his sister. “The group has brought them back to the light.”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
He’s heard their stories. One member’s 8-year-old granddaughter was murdered this summer in Northern California. Other gardeners have battled depression, loneliness, addictions, cancer, fallout from fractured marriages or struggle with financial problems.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Robarge has his own story. He was born with an inherited gene that dealt him meager, steadily deteriorating vision from undeveloped nerves. He refuses to use a long white cane to avoid trumpeting his disability. Faces and colors are hard to make out, signs are impossible and cars all look the same. He can see the sidewalk, but not its dips. Unable to pick out the walk arrow at intersections, he watches traffic patterns.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Robarge also has learned to live with three crushed disks in his back and only one good arm.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“I call the group ‘dirt therapy’,” he said. “Why spend hundreds of dollars on a therapist when you can meet loving people who want to share with you and play in the dirt?”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Robarge’s plants used to ease his isolation until one day, overrun with greenery and their “babies,” he searched online for a way to start trading. He joined an Orange County group, but before attending a meeting, formed his own via word of mouth, Facebook and Craigslist.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Since the inaugural meetup this past March at the city park near his home on Lake Elsinore’s Main Street, each gathering has gotten bigger and better, as members invited friends and family.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
Robarge has organized eight events, from Temecula to Moreno Valley. Through next March, Robarge already has booked get-togethers at places that include the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center, nurseries and members’ homes, ranches and farms.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
As his Facebook page bloomed, members have posted more than 3,300 photos of beloved, bedraggled and unruly plants or mysterious pests. Many of the threads seek advice or trades for particular cuttings.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“I like to think that we’re beautifying the Inland Empire, one house at a time,” said Sue “Paca” Olson, 51, of Riverside, who was eager to jump into trading at an event last week despite a broken foot. “I wish I’d thought of this 20 years ago.”googleoff: allgoogleon: all
She and 109 others turned out on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Louie’s Nursery in Menifee. After pulling in, they filled up carts and wagons and hauled satchels and crates, ready to make money-free deals. Thanks to an arrangement with Robarge, the nursery let group members spread their “wares” on patio tables.googleoff: allgoogleon: all
“It’s a flea market with no money,” Robarge said.
PLANT TRADERS INLAND EMPIRE CA GARDEN TRADING COMMUNITY
What: Garden exchange where members trade cuttings, seeds, trees, plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, eggs, even chickens. It's a free swap meet. New attractions will include a petting zoo, a pot luck and activities for children. Since the first meeting in March, the group has grown from 30 to more than 1,600 members from all over Southern California.
Where: Different locations, including parks, nurseries, ranches, farms, private homes, once or twice a month.
Next meeting: 9:30 - 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, Mentone Beach Moose Lodge, 2139 Mentone Blvd., Mentone
Information: ieplanttraders@gmail.com; facebook.com/groups/ Planttradersie/