I don't know about the garage, since the temp could be pretty variable, Bonnie, but I keep my carrots in the fridge in a plastic bag for months and months. I just found the last couple from LAST YEAR in there a month or so ago, and used them. (My fridge is just 2 degrees above freezing.) I dig them, cut the tops off most of the way--about like Digit did with his, brush off the dirt (I don't wash them till I'm gonna use them), make sure they're DRY, put them in a bag, and stick them in the veggie drawer. Of course, I don't usually have very many! If your garage stays cold enough (I don't remember which direction the roof faces!), you can get a BIG bucket or tub and a couple bags of play sand and keep them in that all winter--or till they're gone, whichever comes first! You just dump in some (dry) sand, put in a layer of carrots, more sand, more carrots---and then be sure it stays cold. Unless you get below zero for a buncha days in a row, they'll be fine, and they're SO much better fresh than they are frozen. If you don't want to do it with all of them, you can try it with a few this year---just to convince you it works. It's kind of the same thing Digit's doing, but on a smaller scale. And with a bucket, you don't need to dig a hole in the ground! ;-) How do you cover yours, Digit? With soil, or just with leaves? Or with something else! I can NEVER believe how much stuff you grow, Digit! And at this time of the year, you're not selling it at a farmer's market! How many of you are eating those? I like carrots---a lot---but, uhhhhh............ Skybird

I personally don't think buying seeds for someone else is necessary. Nor is it expected. If you want to, I guess that is fine. I look through other's lists and some are getting 3 things and others are not getting any (from me). But as I see it, others that have things that I don't have, and will have some for them (the person I din't have any for) and perhaps none for someone else. If someone has a short want list they might not get much of anything since we can't fill their wants if they don't want anything. The host will have to fill in the gaps for them with extras seeds, and hope there is something in there that might please this person. If the person with a short list is not sure what they want, perhaps they can be vague and say I like blue flowers that like the shade. Or any flowers, I am new and I have no clue what will grow here yet. Then maybe someone can toss in something that fits that requirement. Personally, I am tossing my extra veggie seeds in the extras baggie. So, if someone that asks for any veggie or any tomato, Fran can fill in with my extra veggies in a fair way. I have no way of knowing if one person needs more seeds and another has an overflowing amount already. But really, I think this should be fun, and as Fran said it is not a one for one thing, just share what you have, and it will all be ok. (really) For example: I once participated in the give to a newbie thing as a newbie gardener. I really did not receive much of anything I could use (mostly flowers). But is was still fun. I kept what I could use and SASE'ed what I did not need. So the seeds found nice homes, even if not mine. All is good. Surprises are fun. Giving is good for the heart, and sole. I hope my interpretation of this Swap is not not way off. Yes I should try starting seeds inside in early spring. I found out out that natural beginnings seeds starter mix is a very good all natural mix from gardens alive. My rutabagas did very well in this mix. I had always thought of starting seeds inside as a northern thing to do. But I guess it is not. We are trying to beat heat and the northerners are trying to beat the frost. I have some soup peas in damp paper towels now to try to give them a early go for it this spring. Last spring direct sowed peas took 3 weeks to come up. So by the time they matured, it was too hot. I'm learning. My garden is on the side of the house were veggies get shade after 2 pm. First year I made the mistake of thinking full sun, I will plant on west of the house. UG. Learned that, that is too much sun for Texas! So this year all will hopefully be better due to: water ditches starting some things under pop bottle cloches Sprouting peas inside living mulch verses dead mulch cover crops over winter reorienting garden beds so sorghum and sunflowers can help shade off the rest of the garden. avoiding overly thirsty crops smaller tomato varieties trying beany things along ground But anyway, time to go to the dentist. I have to realize I am not the only one having garden woes. It is just that since I am a new gardener, all years have been extreme weather years. I have nothing to compare it to. Hope every has some fun with this SWAP. Mary

Separate HVAC systems for the house and garage-- period. Even if it means starting over with the HVAC for the garage. Insulated garage doors can be purchased. If you wish to use rigid foam panels to do the insulation yourself, the added weight may require adjustment or replacement of the door springs. Here is a link that might be useful: Foam board

This is my first year gardening. Your list makes me drool! The only thing that I have on your list is Beefsteak Tomato. The things that caught my eye on your list are: All other tomato varieties, all sunflower varieties, marigold, zinnias, dahlia, moonflower, amaranthus, cockscomb, columbine, and morning glory. Thank you so much for offering these! Michele