Ginny why don't you check out the Mid-Atlantic gardening forum. It's not terribly busy but there's another plant swap coming up the end of Sept. I went to my first one in May and had a blast and met some very nice people. The last swap and the one coming up are in Montgomery County, MD, not too far from you. I also grow mainly tropicals. It's terrible being in zone 7 and growing zone 10 plants. lol Oct and May are killer months for me because that's when everything gets moved either in or out. lol Karyn

We're pretty far apart unfortunately but I'll keep your request for ferns in mind if Im travelling in the Philly area in the near future. Occ we make a daytrip to Hamburg, PA, for my husband's business so that may be an option, too. One add'l thought I had: you might be able to find Christmas "fern-ettes" at a local Lowes -- I've seen a few different Lowes stores selling dormant nubs of all kinds of ferns incl. xmas in little cellophane 3"x3" packets on a display in their houseplants section. I was skeptical about the viability but danged if the ferns didn't do well once potted up. I have several nice Maidenhairs, Spleenworts, Royals, Cinnamons, etc sprouted. That may be an option for you, too, if you can't find anyone to trade with.

hi robin - i read your GW member page, and wondered if you managed to meet your 2005 goal of selling tomatoes? if so, how'd it go? another MA transplant to carolina is heard from :) have you read the recent gardening in the carolinas thread, "not from here"? marsha

Garden Friends Spring Plant Swap is being held on Sunday June 28th from 1pm-3pm. Please bring your perennials, annuals, tropicals, seeds, bulbs, garden items to swap. There will also be a door prize drawing. If you want to participate, bring your garden related item and receive a ticket. This swap usually has nearly 20 participants and so much variety! Held at Lori's 63975 Dequindre Rd. (29 1/2 mile & Dequindre), Washington Twp 48094. Please call Theresa at586 337 7498 or 810 433 1760 for further details. Lori is looking for groundcover sedum, all except sedum acre to plant around her new screentent enclosure. Bring your extras as a thank you for the hostess if you have extra to spare. A tour of Lori's acre of gardens after the swap is always a fun treat. Hope to see you there!