Future Plant Swap ??? Your Opinion, please!

15 years ago

Todd (Tedevore) mentioned the "plant swap" he attended at Aldridge Botanical Gardens a couple of weeks ago. Would 'we' be interested in trying to arrange a future plant swap at ABG and coordinate our swap with their program? I could contact ABG, explain how we handle swaps and see if they are interested in hosting something similar. There would be details to work out but we could probably get a lot of new swappers and get some new stuff. The ABG has a free sign-up for their website where you can make comments, etc. I haven't fully explored the possibilities but I am still studying the website and comments. The very first step might be to invite Larry Quick the ABG director and Steve Bender of Southern Living to attend one of our swaps. I'm just throwing this out as an idea. What do you think?

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Comments (19)

roseyp8255
15 years ago
sounds good to me - invite them to the next one! :)
loveofmylife680
15 years ago
Sounds great to me.
Jill
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Hey there Linda- Now I get it! I was wondering what was behind the reason for change- I have always asked the person if there was more to be traded from the garden it came from. Call it a post swap. Or- I ask the person who picked it up if they would share some as soon as it could be chopped up again. I think that is why/how Pre Swapping using our GW page started- I do really like it when folks talk about their plants- I am still learning so much and I appreciate learning from the grower! It was a wonderful experience at my first swap to uload my car right into others waiting arms- as the "unloaders" talked about what they were offering. Kinda like Christmas and every one got to be Santa! But I do like the addition of ROUNDS- it helps to keep it more even- instead of the more gregarious (um- that sounds like me....) folks getting the most/best- while the meek/polite stand back and watch.... With rounds- you are pretty much assured that every one has a pretty equal chance at getting a few treasures high up on their want list. It does mean that you must have an excellent memory- or paper though... What I really miss are lables! Where are those names?!? Or even a discription if the 'name' is lost or unknown- like medium blue green unknown hosta- tall pink astilbe- When you bring a new to you plant home- it is hard to remember names or types of plant let alone know how to take care of it if you don't have the briefest bit information to rely on. It could be on masking tape taped to the pot- or a cut up blind or what ever- every little bit helps! I do like that the GW swap is different than others- we are a community here in GW- We give freely of ourselves and our gardens to each other- we are known to each other- we offer help and suggestions and encouragement to each other- I think our swap should reflect that about us. We are not such a large group that needs precision organization - nor are we the dump and run types. All of the different swaps I have been to- I have enjoyed each individual "flavor"- but I like ours best. It is the people at this swap that make the swap good- It is their willingness to give of themselves and their plants to others whom they are known to - that's what I like best.
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Having both attended a spring swap and hosted one last spring, I wanted to post a few thoughts as well. Though I think that elaborate plans for day long swaps and weekend events can be a wonderful idea, I'm concerned about how overwhelming that may be to new gardeners and to those who would only want to attend a few hours of plant swapping and in turn have no place to attend. I agree with Asarum (we missed you at the spring swap), that the more elaborate and lengthy a swap is the fewer people will be able to attend. Weather becomes an issue as it did last spring. I had a rain date for the following week and then some health issues got in the way and we ended up just postsponing the swap by one day. That ended up having a few people not come because of the change and if I remember correctly it rained on the rain date as well. The eastern mass spring swap was larger than the fall swap, which may be do to just having more plants for swapping in the spring, new people coming that had no plants to swap and where looking for plants to start a new garden and where more than welcome to come, and just the fact that it was in the spring. It seems that more people are interested in spring swaps than fall swaps. I myself am unable to attend fall swaps because of business commitments that I have on the weekends, and prior to that, when my kids where in school, my weekends where full of their sport games that we attended. Many times hubby and I had to take turns going to games as both kids would be playing at the same time. I personally prefer the simple, relaxed plant swap with no formal additions added to it. Everyone brings what they have to swap, or comes without and brings a goodies for all, and we just swap plants, visit, talk and have a good time. I'm planning on hosting a spring swap again this coming spring, with the same simplicity that I had last year and I know the fall swap had as well. I've had several requests to host it again and think all had a good relaxing time, and we lucked out with no rain. To those that where at the swap last year, my back if fine, surgery was a complete success and I'm out working in my gardens putting them to bed for the winter and planning my seed stash for wintersowing this winter. Yes there will be tons of wintersown babies needing good homes again this year as well. In no means do I mean to put a damper on a more elaborate type of swap, it's just that many of us are not able to attend anything that is elaborate, costly and might even last a weekend, and would want a swap that lasts a few hours. Fran
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Ditto, no selling at the Fort Worth area swap. One lady showed up one time and wanted to sell her plants, but when we told her we weren't there to buy anything, she packed up her kit bag and went home. If you log on the Gardening in Arkansas forum and go to the trading forum you can just post a notice that you would like to have a swap in your area and see how many people are interested. You may be surprised and if you only have 5-10 people respond, go with it, a small swap is still a swap and you still get stuff for your garden for free. Ours started out several years ago with Sylvia doing that, and it is always a big event. We reserve a space at a centrally located public park, preferably an area with a pavilion and a grill. One couple has agreed to always bring refreshments for everyone in exchange for plants and seeds. Then if anyone has something they want to bring extra to eat they bring enough for at least 30 people. Then we set a date, usually a Saturday and people start listing what they plan to bring. We have a lot of "pre-swaps" on the garden web and then there are on the spot swaps after you get there and find people have brought stuff that they didn't list that you want, like tools, books and other fun things. One time someone brought gardening aprons with the GW logo embroidered on them. One person always brings great soaps and bath salts that she makes at home. Some people will bring baked goods to trade for plants if they don't have enough plants to swap. Another person made cute personalized name tags for everyone. Once you get one of these swap things going you will find that a lot of the same people will attend year after year (oh and we do it twice a year too, Spring and Fall) so we all get to be very good friends, even visiting each others homes and gardens and sharing plants and info on a regular basis. My humble opinion of the swap is that you should not ante up a dime for anything, otherwise you will be expected to continue to cover the costs and you will eventually lose out big time. Go cheap, spend nothing, and you will have a fun get-together with other gardeners who share interests in the best way, freely. This way you will never feel used or abused and in no danger of having to make it into some kind of business. Check out your public parks, maybe a church yard or a school yard will allow you to set up for a couple hours on a Saturday morning. If you plan to help out your humane society that can certainly happen too, they would have to be willing to set up at whatever location you choose but if they want to make money by selling something, you may again wind up obligated in some way. Personally, I'd keep those kinds of activities separate from a free plant swap. Cheryl
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tedevore
15 years ago
Sounds great to me. Here's a little about the format of their last "swap" and some thoughts about how ours would need to be different;

Steve Bender and Larry Quick were there, and maybe ten to twelve gardeners, most of them pretty new to gardening. The swap advertised to bring "one' favorite plant to share, and steve bender talked about the care of every plant, which was good for new people.

The few more experienced gardeners of course ignored the "rule' of one plant, and to the delight of the new people had a lot of divisions/babies to share, of some really nice plants. I think the people there had a lot of fun and would like our swap too. We could easily triple the size of this little aldridge swap.

I think having larry Quick (who works at aldridge anyway) and maybe Steve Bender, or maybe the guy who runs Petals from the Past could give an informal talk (especially if we ordered some plants to buy!) --but since our group is very familiar with what we can grow around here, we wouldn't want the same format as the Aldridge swap.

Also, they had their swap under the pavilion in the gardens, but we bring so much stuff it would be effort to cart all of our plants through the garden gates over to that area. We would have to ask Aldridge people if our parking lot, "tailgating" style would work for them. In fact, if we had it on a football game day, we might pitch it as a "plant swap/tailgating party extravaganza"--hee hee.
loveofmylife680
15 years ago
LOL Love the tailgating plant swap idea!
Jill
tsmith2579
Original Author
15 years ago
Todd, thanks for your comments. Maybe we can trade in the parking lot and have a seminar in the pavilion area. With ceiling fans running, the open air pavilion was very pleasant yesterday. Regardless, I think we need to invite Misters Quick and Bender to attend our Fall swap and observe our approach. If we can pique their interest, they may work with us to set up a trade at the Hoover gardens.
tedevore
15 years ago
I think its a great idea Terry, and i'd be surprised if they wouldn't at least be interested.
It seems that the two main things that keep a botanical garden afloat are
1) memberships and 2) the fees they get from all those weddings!!!

A swap with lots of people could help promote publicity for the gardens, and give us a super nice place to have it, so maybe this could work out.

Todd
ourhighlandhome
15 years ago
Whatever, whenever, where ever, I plan on always attending (at least until I run outta stuff folks want!). This sounds like a great idea!
msbatt
15 years ago
I know it's a loooong way for most of you folks, but you really should consider attending the Middle Tennessee Plant Swap, held in Henry Horton State Park. We average about 80-100 gardeners, and literally hundreds of plants. I think we're into our sixth year now, and it just keeps getting better and better!
gardenerbythelake
15 years ago
I've never been to a plant swap, but it sounds like fun - if I can figure out how to pot up something to trade. I have hardy red amarylis, some daylilies & iris, hosta. Some were named varieties but I didn't label them. I just buy what I like and plant it for the sheer enjoyment of it. Are unnamed swaps accepted?
loveofmylife680
15 years ago
gardenerbythelake, What part of town do you live in? If you google how to divide daylilies and hosta's you will get a wealth of info. Go to the daylily and hosta forums and ask someone will post a link for you or someone might post a link here that knows how to do that.
Jill
gardenerbythelake
15 years ago
Jill, I'm in Cullman. I have bought from Wildflower Society sales, Iris & Daylily Society sales or local charity sales and sometimes you get a clump and sometimes a fan. I have divided to increase my plants, but would need advice on how big the division needs to be for a swap.
Dorothy
daffodillady
15 years ago
Hi Dorthy,
Swaps are a lot of fun, and attendance is from the very experienced to brand new gardeners. And we all get along and have a grand time together!! The experienced gardeners are very helpful to answer questions. Yes, NOID (no identification) plants are welcome too. I am like you, I plant for the joy of the flower. Maybe someday I will be more concerned about IDs, but not yet...LOL!!
ourhighlandhome
15 years ago
Hi Dorothy!

Don't let the lack of "names" deter you; whatever you bring will be appreciated. You'll feel welcomed and right at home, and you will be glad you came!

When listing trades or making them, just be sure the recipient knows in advance what to expect as far as the size of the plant you have to trade. If a plant is slow-growing, rare and/or expensive, a smaller division is usually acceptable; with more common plants you might want to offer larger specimens.

I hope you can make it this fall!

Nelson
tsmith2579
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi, Dorothy. Nelson explained it all quite well. I just finished a trade with a lady in TX for some daylilies. Some of her daylilies are worth $50-$100 per fan. I'm sending 6 white wisteria vines. It would hardly be fair for her to send six $50 daylily fans. Since I grow daylilies as a garden flower, not for show, some of her more common types in my choice of colors are an acceptable trade. If you will look at the Alabama Forum exchanges from April and May 2008, you will get an idea of how we pre-arrange trades and our swap-trade format. I sure hope you can join us this Fall. This is a great bunch people.
gardenerbythelake
15 years ago
Thanks for the replies everyone. My internet router went out Thursday morning and I just now got back online. Unless gas is $10 a gallon by then I will definitely plan to come - I feel welcome already. My dh was not a gardener, but I knew I had him when he came home one day and told me about a bank covered in thrift he had seen. He doesn't know that I know I've got him, so please don't tell him :)
Dorothy
karen08
15 years ago
Hi! I just joined the group. I've read several posts, but haven't found anywhere that tells me what part of Alabama most of you are from! I'm in Tuscaloosa, but sort of new to the state. I'm in a new house and LOVE gardening! The lady that lived in my house before me had LOTS of raised flower beds in the very tiny yard. Hardly any grass at all. We moved in March and everything was dead or bare. I've spent a lot of time removing some of the beds and planting grass since I have 2 dogs. But it's been fun seeing new plants come up! I have Hollyhocks (never have grown them before), zennias, periwinkles, hydrangeas, and roses. I'm slowly adding my own plant choices. Even some veges!
I would Love to attend the swap. I have plenty of Hollyhock seeds to share.
tweetypye
15 years ago
Hi Karen...welcome to the AL garden forum. :)
I'm in Elmore County just north of Montgomery. There are lots of members from the Birmingham area, some from Prattville, Piedmont, and lots of other places scattered around the state. We would love to have you join us at the swaps. We always have a wonderful time. Once fall is near, we'll decide on a place and time for the swap and there'll be plenty of posts on here about it. Also, lots of us make prearranged trades prior to the swap. Most of us have a trade list, but we usually update it closer to the actual swap time.
Sounds as if you inherited some wonderful plants along with your new home.
Anyway, glad to have you. :)
Jan
loveofmylife680
15 years ago
Karen, You will love the swaps. I was kind of nervous when I went to my 1st swap I was nervous but quickly became at ease.
Jill
karen08
15 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I look forward to exploring the forum. I just discovered the trade-lists. I'll start building one of my own so I'll have something to contribute.

Future Plant Swap ??? Your Opinion, please!

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