Do you really need four pruners and three shovels? And that trowel forgotten inside an empty bag of potting soil can help someone else plant or pot.

The Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS) is happy to take those extra gardening tools off your hands. Drop off your shovels, hoes, trowels, pruners, loppers, hoses and watering wands during the Spring Open House fundraiser between 9 a.m. and noon June 13 at 2705 Lincoln Dr., Roseville. Make sure to rinse and clean them off and check that the tools are in usable condition. They'll even accept wheelbarrows - but no electric trimmers or chain saws.

The MSHS will pass them on to community gardeners through the Minnesota Green program, which supports the greening efforts of thousands of volunteer growers in the state who beautify their towns and neighborhoods by planting and nurturing shared garden spaces. The organization has published a how-to handbook on planning and creating community gardens, which is free upon request

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After donating your tools - peruse plants for sale to help fill holes in your garden, including lily bulbs, heirloom tomatoes, annuals and shrubs, until 1 p.m. that day. To turn kids on to gardening, the MSHS is also holding a free class from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

If your garden beds are already chockful - local vendors will sell everythng from birdhouses to vintage garden art. For details, go to www.northerngardener.org.

Butterfly photo: Gardenguides.com