Raeann Webb, Diane Olson, Becki Lenhart and Linda Stanley are elbow-deep in rich soil and busy spending their Sunday afternoons potting up plant castaways from Black Diamond yards.

These Friends of the Black Diamond Library plan to sell their potted treasures at their annual plant sale to raise money for the Black Diamond library.

It’s a fundraiser going strong for 44 years.

“Isn’t that amazing?” Webb said.

“It’s becoming quite a tradition in this community,” Lenhart said, of the 9 a.m. to noon sale scheduled for May 1 at the Black Diamond Community Center, 31605 3rd Ave.

Olson, one of the town’s local historians, said it was the late Ann Steiert who was one of those responsible for getting it going and keeping it going. The sale combined two of Steiert’s passions, gardening and literacy.

“She was a good friend of mine and a true believer in children and literacy,” Olson said.

The sale usually raises $1,600, Webb said, which supports library literacy programs for all ages.

Plants at the sale go fast and the Friends are digging deep to locate more to prepare and sell. Community members who may be out in the garden dividing or tossing plants this time of year are asked to e-mail Linda Stanley at 2008@gmail.com. The crew will pick them up through April 25.

“I’d be tickled to death to go pick them up,” Stanley said. “We’re activly looking for plants.”

Garden art is also requested. Items should be delivered to the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Dr., also by April 25.

For information or to volunteer call Marilyn and Joe Mascis at 360-886-7206.

The Black Diamond Friends of the Library meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the library and anyone is welcome to join them.