It may be months before we know the date of the anual Master Gardener sale here in Etowah County; I will try to find out later today if there is any indication, though.

In Spring 2011, I brought transplants of some unusuual eggplants. This Spring, someone asked if I had any more, which I did not! So - I thought I would grow some for WSpring 2013. Does anyone have any particular kind of eggplant they would like for me to grow for them? For that matter, any other kind of veggie, such as pepper? I usually order seeds from Baker Creek, which has an outstanding selection of heirloom seeds.

Sure hate I missed the fall swap. I'll do a better job of watching for the spring date. Happy fall everyone.

Susan,

As you stated, the swap takes priority, so count on me for any date.

Nelson

To people who weren't there: This isn't everyone who was there. There were several newbies and enough oldies for a good swap. :-)

That said, we do need for everyone to bring a new swapper and to encourage ones who missed the last ones. We usually have more people at the spring swaps and I'm wondering if we want to go for a larger pavilion in this area. The Beaver pavilion is in a wonderful location, but has no power outlet and wouldn't accommodate many more people than we had. Should we look into costs and location for a bigger one with power? I'd be willing to kick in a few more $$ if we need to. What do you think?

Hi Alice,

There are only three pavilions in that particular area: two rent for $45.00, the large one we were next to is $150.00. I'm not sure I can commit to splitting that bill if not enough of us show up.

You are right - we should each commit ourselves to increasing attendance, as you did this year. There's every reason to believe this event can bring in several dozen, if not more, traders. The swap in southern Tennessee is extremely organized, maintains their own website, and is attended by hundreds of devoted people. Again, there's no reason to believe we can't do the same.

Let's look for free advertising, like "Coffee News", which is available in several establishments I patronize. I'll commit to placing an ad with the local edition in late winter of 2013, as well as a post on "Craig's List" (and hope we don't accidentally invite a serial killer!). A website can be purchased for around $60.00 a year, if we want to try that route.

Let's look for other on-line gardening sites that allow for the advertising of swaps, making sure they know there is no "fee" (except for the sharing of pavilion rent and food).

Thanks for putting the highlight on this idea - we definitely need to expand, and it's becoming crucial at this point.

Until next time.....

I talked with Bety Hall, who is in charge of our annual sale. She confirmed that our sale date will be the Saturday after Auburn has its A-day, so it will most likely be the 3rd Saturday in April and the half-price sale wil be the 4th Saturday. That means Alice, myself and any other Etowah people should be free on May 4. And even if not we usually glom some plants for next year's sale at the swap, so our absence at the half-price sale would be excusable!

I agree that $150 is too much to commit to. Aren't some of them more like $85? I don't see why we couldn't bring in enough people to make that work if there's one available in a good location. The one this year was in such a wonderful place that we're spoiled on that point. If we stay there, we'll just have to tell people not to bring food that has to be heated -- except, of course, your scrumptious hamburgers and hot dogs.

The first weekend in May sounds good to me barring any unforeseen circumstances.

I would be greatly interested in the spring swap
Sorry I missed the fall gathering
If you do not mind crossing the state line,Maynor Creek Water Park would be an ideal location
The inside provillions are $75
The outside pavillions $30
Three bedroom cabins $110
Two bedroom $90
The waterpark is off Hwy 84 3 mi. west of Waynesboro MS.which is about 30 mi from Coffeeville,Silas,AL and 75 mi north of Mobile
Phone 601-735-4365

Any other ideas and suggestions? Or should I go ahead and reserve one of the $45 pavilions at Oak Mountain?
Susan

I vote for staying at Oak Mountain and getting the same pavilion if it's available. It was a wonderful location and at least we know there are plugs available not too far away. If we have a bigger crowd, we'll just bring lots of chairs and a card table or two -- and huddle up if it rains.

I agree with Alice. And I hope the "Beaver" pavilion is still available. There is another $45 pavilion at that location; inquire about it if the former is reserved.

It's coming up on the second anniversary of the death of one of our swap's founding "members" and most generous traders, Terry Smith, thus the picture.

I look forward to seeing everyone this spring (and let's work our tails off at increasing our numbers).

Nelson

Great! I will reserve a pavilion, the Beaver if available, or the other $45 one in the same area for May 4th, 2013.
Susan

I reserved the Beaver Pavilion for May 4th. I'm posting the confirmation letter here so that I don't lose the conf.#

CONFIRMATION #: M6800
DATE: 10/18/12

Thank you for making your reservation with Oak Mountain State Park. Enclosed is your confirmation information. We have reserved 1 Beaver room type, arriving on 05/04/13 and departing on 05/05/13. Your confirmation number is M6800. Your total for the rental of the pavilion is $45.00,Your total amount will be charged at the time of reservation. The payment for the Pavilion is non refundable after this payment date. We will try and reschedule your event on a different date.

Arrivial time for the pavilions is 9:00 am.

Departure time is 1 hour before sunset.

We require a 5 day cancellation notice to reschedule your pavilion rental for a different date.

If you have any special needs or request, please give us a call before your arrival. We are committed to making your stay at Oak Mountain State Park a pleasant one.

A 15 amp electrical outlet is available in the large pavilions. No pets, loud music or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the beach area.

If you would like to contact us on your current or future reservations, please call (205) 620-2520

Sincerely,

The staff and management of Oak Mountain State Park

Thanks Susan! That will be great.

Nelson: I love that picture of Terry. It really shows how good-natured he was. It was always so nice to see him at the swaps. He is missed.

Susan,

Thanks a bunch! I'm already looking forward to it.

Nelson

may 4 at the same place sounds good to me. i like advance
planning. thanks susan.

wayne

Will put it on my calender :)

There's really not much way I can plan that far ahead as not sure on the kids' school activities and such but if at all possible we'll be there...and we'll try to bring a gardening friend or 2 along also...also getting started trying to root things to take and plant seeds inside that i hope to be ready by then...can't wait :)

Too far out for me to know for certain, but I'll mark it on the calendar. It's been probably 4 or 5 years since I was able to attend a swap for this group, maybe my mother and I can come in the Spring and I should have lots of rooted perennial plants to share if so. My friend's mother also said she wanted to attend a swap or two with us this year, this sounds like fun.

Danielle

Danielle, I hope you guys can make it to the swap. It will be nice to see you again.
Susan

Tony, whom we haven't heard from lately, has a post on the Alabama Exchange forum if ya'll want to check it out. AND is planning to start attending the swaps again. I'm looking forward to seeing our friend and generous trader again.

Thanks Susan, will be good to see you again too! The Georgia group is sorta talking about theirs right now too and according to the swap hostess it sounds like that one will be in April so if that holds there won't be a conflict there.

Danielle

i emailed tony about the spring swap at oak mtn. and he said debra was coming with him.

wayne

Just bumping this up since Kenneth asked about the spring swap. I am so looking forward to it. Please start updating your lists.

Susan

Well....I spoke too soon lol. Unfortunately the GA Gardening forum also scheduled their swap for the same day of May 4th so I won't be able to attend the AL one this year =(

Was looking forward to seeing some of ya'll again, maybe next year they'll be on different days. They were originally talking about the end of April but the date's set now and I already had obligations for that one.

You all have fun and post pictures of all your goodies!
Danielle

Danielle: Sorry you won't be able to make it this Spring, but maybe this Fall . . . .

Thanks Catbird....hopefully then. =)

Hey everyone, I am new to gardening. I live in Gadsden. I would like to participate in a swap. How do I go about this?? What do you swap? I only have seeds. I hang out in the seed exchange forum mostly.

Desirai - just show up! Bring the seeds you want to trade, put them in packets and label them. Don't worry too muchh about having little to trade this time, a lot of people have stuff they do not want to take home!

But before you go to the swap, be sure to stop by the Etowah County MG sale 2 weeks before!

where is the swap? when is it and what is a mg sale?

also catbird sent me a message but i cant respond

For where and when, read the first post in this series. "MG" is Master Gardener, a day or so back I posted a message about the annual sale we have here in Etowah County. It will be held April 12 and 13 tjhis year, and the location is 300 West Meighan.

sorry

This post was edited by AndrewMonroe on Thu, Mar 28, 13 at 10:24

Andrew - the answer to both events is "Yes!".