I am new to gardening and to Greenville so not sure that I would have anything to bring to swap - really just started planting last summer but would love to come. Might be able to swap some wine for plants????

Carla there are SO many choices!!!! Not sure how much you want to spend on dinner but I have a few favorite places we like to go on special occasions that I'll share with you: Seeing the downtown area is a must when you visit. Justins Steakhouse. A little gem. They pride themselves on wonderful food and impeccable service at a reasonable price and they live up to their claim. We had the surf and turf which was a smaller fillet and lobster tail for $24 a person, not too bad! The service was fantastic with the manager walking from table to table to inquire how things were and offering suggestions and even little tastes of different dishes! Highly reccomended. Bonefish Grill. Nowhere else to go if you wish to have Seafood! Very knowledgeable waitstaff and fish on the menu I'd never even heard of! Very, very tasty! Devereaux's. Set in a turn-of-the-century factory, Devereaux's sets a romantic scene, juxtaposing candlelight and white linens with aged brick and wooden beams. The upscale establishment is a family affair, and the time-tested relationships add a certain ease to operations. Great atmosphere is an ideal complement to the excellent food, which includes pancetta-wrapped Atlantic halibut, bourbon brined pork loin, Asian-scented rack of lamb, and Amish chicken breast with heirloom corn polenta. A chef's tasting menu and a lively bar scene add weight to an already strong enterprise. Gerards. Recipient of much praise and local buzz, Gerard's hits the mark with its contemporary Italian cuisine. The open, elegant space in a restyled storefront features hardwood floors, brick walls, and pools of romantic, ambient light. The outdoor dining area, protected by an arbor, is surrounded by lush seasonal plantings. The menu is executed with a sure hand and features pastas, seafood, veal, lamb, beef, duck, and chicken. Representative dishes include pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin with pear compote and seared scallops with sherry cream, baby spinach, and risotto Milanese. The wine list specializes in Italian and Californian vintages. Wonderful for special occasions. Smoke On The Water. Most times, folks think of barbecue in conjunction with small, no-frills eateries. Smoke on the Water quickly dispels that perception. The upscale restaurant is as serious about ambience as it is about barbecue. Quietly elegant, it's a great place for lunch or dinner, especially when you factor in perfectly cooked beef brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, prime rib, or beer-butt chicken. To please all tastes, a variety of zesty sauces can be had  tomato-, mustard-, or vinegar-based. Add in fresh greens and warm fruit cobbler, and your lips will be smacking in no time! The restaurant's busy bar is also a top hangout during happy hour. Plus it's right by Falls park, a great place to stroll after dinner along the Reedy River with a great waterfall. I could go on and on but will be happy to share more if you care to email me!

I'm also near Greenville, in Buford, just south of Gainesville GA. We do get winter here. In fact, this year we had snow that stayed for a week because it didn't get warm enough to melt! But usually it's not that bad. We are in full spring right now, my roses are budding up and the lawn is almost green. I like it here (we moved 10 years ago from NY)because we are close to Atlanta and there are plenty of things to see and do, but it isn't as hectic as some metro areas. I don't know much about the real estate here, most of the homes are in subdivisions with small lots, but there are some larger properties around. And it's a great time to buy. Good luck!

I've been to a Spring plant swap in Greenville for the last few years, but the women who hosted it in the past weren't able to this year. I just found out this year that the SC Upstate Permaculture Society has an annual swap, but I found out rather late and couldn't go. SC Upstate Permaculture Society