I had no idea this conversation was so active the day of the swap! I missed all the Friday chatter. Happy, sorry i didn't respond about the tomatoes. I did manage to pick up six different ones, however, for which i got in trouble. *big grin* Mone, I didn't get any Annabelle's. I'll maybe drive over this weekend. My patio is getting finished today and then i'll have plenty more room where I want to put the Annabelle. Annette - I didn't say bye to you because i couldn't find you! As always, wonderful seeing you! LilBlossom - someone saved me Lamium, but if you got there at 6:30, we must have crossed paths because that's about the time I left. if it's still at Ellen's or Esther's, I will drive back for it. I have plenty of space. I didn't pick up too much this year, though my mom did. I figured i'd have to defend the quantity of plants I brought home and decided the fight i'd take on was over the tomatoes. HAHA OH, on that note, if I just bought an heirloom tomato, could i just pluck out the seeds and plant them? is it really that easy? Thanks all! -Rolando

tcs1366, Hi, I saw your post. I was thinking of PMing you on the other forum on Dave's about same idea - a plant swap. I think having a plant swap is a really great idea. Stagerat, I think that would be too funny having a swap in the parking lot of the Botanic gardens maybe during one of their expensive plant sales? Just kidding, I know it's to raise money for a good cause but nevertheless. But yeah, I guess there needs to be a good middle ground because there's folks from the North, South, Indiana and west suburbs. Maybe even a forest preserve somewhere in between. I noticed on Dave's that that's what they do in the Kansas City area. In the spring I've usually got lots of seedlings, some divisions of native prairie, woodland plus annuals later on. I've got some seeds from a season ago that I would like to trade as well. After looking at the garden center prices even at the big box stores, this would definately be worth the gas money and effort to organize something.

Allison this plant swap does not have special restriction to it- no "bring one pot and exchange it for one pot of same value" type of rules. You bring what you have and you take what you like. My neighbor and I have large established gardens and happy to share. We usually have variety of people coming- from newbiews who do not have much of the garden yet to "old hats" winter sowers who have seedlings coming through their ears. People bring divisions of old plants or tiny recently germinated seedlings, from veggies to annuals to perennials. You welcome to bring any gardening tools/books/decorations/ pots that you do not need anymore- we set aside place for such. Little bit later in a season I will ask people on Winter Sowing forum to share if they want to do any special trades- I list what I have grown and have extras and people will list their extra plants. People who are coming could request what they like to be brought/ set aside for them. Usually it again works on "being fair" base. Most gardeners are very giving people and happy to share what they grow so we have never had a problem with self regulation. If one feels that he/ she is just starting and has very little to bring to share we do have a "donation box" and you welcome to give a dollar or two to future our development. All plants that have been brought and unrequested we are either find good homes later on after the swap or give to local charities like schools, shelters etc. Needless to say even tried and true Stella D'oro and ditch lily usually find their owners- with everything going in economy paying $5-10 for such pot in local box store is a problem for many people.

I received my lovely selection of seeds in today's mail. I am so glad I asked for "One Singular Sensation" - you all have some very nice thoughts on this, and I can't wait to try them out. I found it interesting that 2 different players claimed gorgeous red hollyhocks as their outstanding plants. I have a perfect place for hollyhocks, which tend to do very well in this area, and am excited about adding these to my garden. Thank you, Michelle - I know first-hand these swaps are not easy to host, and I appreciate your hard work! Kim