The rules of the exchange forums state that you cannot ask for seeds or plants for free, donation or postage. I believe the rules say something to the effect of: "If you have nothing to trade at this time, please wait until you do." The exchange is for the purpose of trading. It's a good idea to read the rules and the FAQs of each forum before you post in the forums. Each forum has its own set of rules and FAQs. Altho it is against the rules to post a request for "freebies", it is acceptable for gardeners with an abundance to post an offer of freebies, which you can respond to. Just watch for posts that say: "HAVE: This and That for SASE". Those type of posts are more abundant on the Seed Exchange, so you might check there as well. Many plants are super easy from seeds and you can see blooms the first season. Also, y'all check for clearance items at Lowe's and Walmart. Our Lowe's almost always has a clearance rack. Just recently I got a whole rack full of plants for $20. 2/3 of the rack was perennials, which generally sell for $4 a pot. The rest were annuals which I gave away to friends. Our Walmart currently has all their bulbs 75% off. And at the end of June, they usually clearance all the plants they stocked for the growing season. I've gotten roses and shrubs for $1 each! So in some cases, you can get a bunch of nicely growing plants cheaper than you could pay postage for them. And don't forget to look around your house to see if you have any non-plant items you could trade. Most of us here will barter for anything we can use--DVDs, books, magazines, crafts, chemicals, tools, etc. My gardens are so full now that I actually prefer non-plant items in trade. Recently, I've been trading for manure, Roundup, Preen, and Miracle Grow. Do you have any special skills? Some of us will trade for garden signs, decor, paintings, homemade soaps, etc. Some folks here trade their website-making abilities for plants. And if you live near enough to an experienced gardener, you may just trade your labor for plants. The possibilities are endless! (And if any of you live near me, NE Ark, about an hour from Memphis, I have a bunch of free plants if you come and dig 'em.)

Isn't it awful to have to miss one of these. I just love seeing everyone..oh yea..and the plants! We will see you next time Laura. I think there is going to be a trade before fall..so maybe then. Susan

Hi Jools, Sorry you couldn't make it to the swap, I still have the evergreen huckleberry that I set aside for you. My son is an adult now, living on the East Coast, but I certainly remember those days of staying up with a sick kid! I'm in Pierce County, Bonney Lake to be exact, which is not too far from Tacoma. You can come to me, or I can come to you, whichever you prefer. I'm a housewife, so I'm home all day basically. Any day except Tuesday next week works for me.

I just got home and he is doing better, breathing-wise, but he will be moved to morrow to Transitional Care for a few days to a couple weeks to get him string enough to make it up the stairs. As for moving, we have our names in almost every APT in the area, for a first floor or one with an elevator. I have a call into our building manager, because there are two-two bedroom Apts downstairs, and the fellow in one of them lost his wife over a year ago, and I'm going to ask the manager if we can get our dibs in, if he moves. We like it here and our neighbors, so that would be super if we could just move down there. Thanks again, for the good thoughts and prayers. I'll go back tomorrow morning to be there when the Dr comes in and be there for the move, so I'll know where to find him.