I'm hosting one in Rutherfordton, NC on August 27th. This is near the Biltmore, Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway . . many lovely sights to see. So far 71 people have responded. I look very forward to meeting many GW people, friends I've come to know 'on here', no Newbie will go home empty handed, working on how to keep confusion to a minimum now (going to send an Update letter so prearranged swaps/rides can be set up now, also want name tags worn -- any suggestions very welcome) especially since August is a common VAC month (gardeners divide perennials, some will wish to totally do away with plants to make space for new cultivars, go through seeds to plan next year's garden and much more), many are taking the week or weekend to come to the swap from afar and then visit friends in the area and/or VAC. All is open to swap -- plants, seeds, tools, birdhouses, gourds, magazines, books . . . if you can fit it in the car and want to trade may be the time. Katie

Hi, I just wanted to say Thanks Everyone for the seeds. I'm going to try to grow some plants. Ususally I'm buying plants. So, we'll see how this turns out. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Spring Swap. Once Spring arrives, if anyone has any varigated hostas that they are willing to share I'm willing to come dig. Have a lovely day! PS - Deborah, Thanks for organizing the swap!

Hey Red! nice list! Everyone has to start somewhere (last year I had nothing, this year I have some, next year I plan to take over the lawn...... no street.... no THE WORLD! ha ha ha! I covet your peony and any philodendron most ferociously, hope I will be able to tempt you with some garden basics. I have: Outdoor Plants Yarrow, sort of burgundy red colour (I thought it was Paprika but the colour seems wrong) Canna Pups, variety of colours as yet unknown (these were started from seeds and tiny rhyzomes last winter) GIANT SHASTA Daisy Alaska Autumn Joy Sedum Babies Forsythia Babies Kwanso Daylily Red Hot poker Plant Silver Lace Vine Common Japanese honeysukle (warning invasive plant, pleas take appropriate measures to restrain)Smells great, blooms late Indoor Plants Golden Pothos Parlor Palm Red flower Holiday cactus (flowers between Thanks Giving and Christmas) Asparagus Fern Deiffenbachia Possible some small cuttings of Rubber Plant Seeds Canna (indica) Castor Beans Hair Allium Jackmani Clematis Amaranths (variety) Cleome "Queens" Columbine (mixed colour) Baptisia both indigo and yellow A variety of herbs (mostly culinary) Birdhouse Gourds Hyacinth Beans (soon) 4 0'clocks broken colour mostly fushia with stripes Campsis Radicans (I have 2 pods, clean, no evidence of boring insects) Wants Cannas tall, (seeds, seedlings, pups, rhyzomes) any colour Hosta any Lantana - prefer hardy types, like yellow and the old fashioned pink/orange/yellow Nandina nandina nandina (plain old heavenly bamboo, no dwarf, no fancy hybrid) Seeds any aster perennial or annual, compact prefered or unusual dianthus anny perennial cleome (can always use more spiders) Cosmos, Tall varieties any colour Marigold - any french typse White flowering plants that can take dry heat. I can't think of anything else..... Red best way to launch a naked garden is with some seeds, lots of perennial seed can be started in the fall and flower the following year I will check my seedbox to see what I have for you, SUN or SHADE? Frances

Hi Kasha. There are so many swaps going on already this fall that it is doubtful that you will find too many folks who are not already committed to going to one of them. I am going to the Greer, SC on Sept. 20th and then to the High Point Swap, NC on Oct.4th. That takes care of all the gas money I have for a while. There is another in Charlotte, NC on the 13th???? of Sept that I would love to go to but I have already made trades that I have to take to the other 2 so I am out. I would suggest that you might want to look forward to the spring and decide on a place and a date and I am sure that 'They Will Come'. I know that I will, Mooresville is not too far for me and I love to shop in both Mooresville and Huntersville, making a convenient loop for me. For the time being why don't you think about joining in on one of the other swaps, meet new friends and other gardeners. Glad to see you here, Welcome, Les (Love2GardenNC)