Just getting started with a raised veggie garden after many years without one. Also planning to put in some fruit trees. Thinking I should do that in the fall here in SE Pennsylvania. Is that correct? What varieties have done the best? Also trying to eventually have all heirloom varieties and garden organically. Saving fruit and veggie leavings from the house for compost, but how do you keep the critters away from it w/o spending a lot of money on equipment?

Hi Swappers! Sorry if I haven't responded, but I have been reading your comments, and keeping track of whose packages have arrived. If you haven't posted yet, you should be receiving and email from me. Just want to be sure the seeds get there safely. So glad that everyone seems pleased with their selections! I really enjoyed hosting the swap again, but have to admit it has been nice getting back to planting seeds, potting up sprouts, cleaning up the garden beds, etc. Too nice to be inside sorting seeds now : ) Hope to see everyone again next year!!! Your hostess, Bonnie P.S. Dirtdaddy, since the peppers have been isolated in the guest room, Melvin's been eating my thyme plant instead. There's more in the herb bed though, so I'm not too upset with him.

Glad to hear that everyone is happy with what they received back! I am down to the LAST THREE ENVELOPES!!! I have 10 ready to mail this morning: Rollinrockell Foodeefish Elvimiller Thismembername Moonfire Nak10 MissyGA64 Trickfox Plus the last couple packages from THP folks. It is such a relief to be winding down the swap. I love being able to fulfill wishes! Makes me feel a bit like Santa Claus, LOL, but I am ready to focus on getting the garden ready for planting. Well, as soon as it warms up a bit. Right now, it's 16 degrees outside. It's supposed to reach 50 by the weekend though. Come on spring!!! Thank you, EVERYONE, for participating in the Pick-A-Peck of Peppers swap! Your hostess, Bonnie

My box from Melissa arrived today! Inside was a very nice basket full of great stuff! Lots of chocolate goodies, which the kids immediately tried to talk me out of ... don't think so, LOL! Lilac and lavender scented candle Sharpie marker (thank you, thank you, my old one was just about dried up, and I use them for labeling my wintersown containers) Cute little notepad that says "If you pray for rain, be prepared to deal with some mud." (Love it!) Green metal turtle windchimes (very cute) Pair of heavy duty leather palm gloves (Boy did I need some of these! My husband's work gloves are way too big, and regular canvas or cloth garden gloves just aren't tough enough for some jobs.) In addition to all of these goodies, there were tons of seeds in the basket too: Greencrop bush beans Henderson bush lima beans Early Sunglow corn Parade cucumber (can't believe you found one I didn't already have) Poona Kheera cucumber (grew it for the first time last year. They were very large, and crisp, almost melon-like, and a very good producer.) Sakata's Sweet melon (Can't wait to try this one!) Orangeglo watermelon (on my wishlist) Louisiana Green Velvet okra (our nights might be too cool, but I'm going to try it anyway - I miss fried okra!) Burgess Buttercup squash Cocozelle squash (I almost sent this one to you too, LOL) Mini Bell Yellow pepper (Would you believe I grew a Mini-Belle Mix last year, and only got red and chocolate, no yellow, so thank you!) Czech's Excellent tomato (new to me, yippee!) Nature's Riddle tomato (also new to me!) Emerald Evergreen tomato (yep, didn't have that one either) Wow!!! I am so pleased and thankful for the wonderful box of goodies you sent. Thank you very much, Melissa! Bonnie (who plans on keeping those chocolates for herself!)