Broke in CT - seeking swaps?

16 years ago

In a bittersweet twist of fate, I'm out of work with time to garden, but no plant $$. Don't mean to ruffle feathers by not using the exchange group - but there hasn't been any posts there since last year, and I'm was really hoping to get something lined up sooner than later (so I'll have something fun to do in April). I'm in the Hartford area, but have a car and plenty of time.

Anyway, I'm looking for shade loving perrenials of any type. Zone 6a.

Sorry it's not the most exotic list of plants to contribute - but I know I needed more of these at one time myself, so I'll stay optomistic ;)

Thanks for reading... Hope to hear from all you shade dwellers!

Plants to trade:

Sweet woodruff (my #1 favorite)

Canadian wild ginger (beautiful texture)

Ajuga (chocolate chip? purple and white. Careful!)

Lychnis (coronaria? deep purple.)

Creeping euonymous (Variegated white)

Good ol' Vinca

Good ol' Pachysandra

Good ol' plain-jane 12" unknown hosta

2 leggy dwarf alberta spruces that the previous owner planted on the North side of the house, and will otherwise be going to the chipper this spring.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

rudysmallfry
16 years ago
I've been there...twice. All the time in the world, but no money coming in. Now I'm working all the time and no time to play in the dirt. Too bad there's no happy medium.

I would love to try sweet woodruff, but all I have to trade for shade is your garden variety Hosta and yellow bee balm. I'm also quite a hike from you in Milford. Got any winterberries?
cloud_9
16 years ago
ctgph - We will be having a CT swap later in the Spring - probably one last time at Young's in Woodbury (Ron willing) It is not a tit for tat swap, everyone just shares what they have with no worries. You will see postings for it in a bit. A don't-miss-fun-time!
Deb
Related Discussions
wanted: exchange list for 10/18 ssfs fall swap
Q
Comments (11)
O.K. pholks, here is a long shot (no, it's not about jasper part II *sigh* ) We just had a few buildings built to expand our campus and one of the faculty has asked me if I could get some large (20 gallon?), NICE, flower pots to place next to the entrance doors in front of a few buildings. Heres the deal, if some one had said flower pots to donate to the school "I" would be very greatful, in fact, I would give to this generous person a truckload of fine, finished compost for FREE (delivered within a ten mile radius)(also for free) and a hardy hand shake. I am also sure I could get a tax write off recept (or some such) for this kind person for the value of the flower pots (if in new condition) E-mail me at professrdirt @aol.com and let me know ialbtc
...See More
2009 CT Fall Swap...do we start thinking now?
Q
Comments (31)
Hello all! I was just getting around to logging on to thank you all for the wonderful plants that you offered me in the spring. I took some pictures, but am having trouble uploading... The monarda was lovely, the grasses came in well, the rudbeckia and echinacea have been blooming for quite some time now -- as has the balloon flower! The lilies are all done blooming now, but boy were they lovely! The sedum just started blooming about a week or so ago. The hosta has done well in spite of the slug population this year. Oh and the philadelphus was so lovely -- the scent and the sweet flowers. The styrax japionica has been given a special place in our family as my daughter's tree. I thank you all for these wonderful growing gifts, and will definately join you again in September (hopefully this time the lemon tart won't melt in my car). Incidentally, the vege garden, which is usually the prolific part of my yard, severely underproduced this year. Perhaps it was too much rain. I'll be lucky if I get a handful of tomatoes from the 15 plants that I planted. :( I would be interested in a lilac. Also have room for some Anemone and blanket flower, if ya'll have enough. Cannot wait!
...See More
ColorBlends Bulbs in Bridgeport CT
Q
Comments (20)
Richie, With fritillarias in particular you have to be especially very carefull from whom to buy because they are skinless bulbs and 'freshness' is more a factor with them than a size. I'm not implying that JS fritts will be more fresh than those of CB, but let me assure you that in order to honor a longstanding company's policy of 'customer is always right' they'll make you unconditional refund or replacement with just one easy phone call. Tell you the story, in 2003 or 2004 I bought from JS 5 bulbs of Fritillaria persica and 3 of them came with a slightly (really slightly to be honest) pressed side of the bulb. I call them, they advised me to plant anyway and promised to replace next season if anything wrong happenes. Full refund was another option. Well, I planted them in my regular soil without knowing (then) that they need super sharp drainage in our wet winters. Of course, in a spring only 1 or 2 out of 5 sprouted. When I call them again in a Spring they again offered full refund or replacement in a Fall. I took a replacement option, got them in a fall, they rotted on me next winter again, but nevertheless since then I'm a very loyal JS customer.
...See More
Desperately seeking layout ideas
Q
Comments (45)
rhome: Yes, the Feb. 22 version is the one being worked up. The little yellow band is the current opening to the LR, which will be widened to 11 feet (almost to the little brown closet). Also we will probably shorten the island from the current 8 feet to about 6.5. I had not really thought of things the way you describe, probably because I never have used a prep sink. I wasn't really planning on using this one much - that was my wife's idea, I figured I would use the main sink. Perhaps my tune would change if I had the option, but the concept of a separate prep and clean-up area is foreign to me. Would swapping the prep sink and the microwave make more sense? The only alternative is moving the fridge down and putting the window on the other side of it, but that leaves no light coming in that corner and a big window next to a really big door. As for running into people helping cook or doing cleanup: does that *really* happen in other peoples' kitchens? I should have such problems!! holli: Thanks for the plan and comments. I wish I had the extra width to have a pantry on the one side. I am still debating the small closet we have in that space. We may put that in the adjoining living room to keep a clean line along that wall/sightline. Your distances between prep fridge and stove are similar; do you find them problematic? Also: Does the dining area serve as your dining room? If so, how is that working out for you? Thanks, all!
...See More
ctgph
Original Author
16 years ago
Rudysmallfry: Yeah, it's hard to enjoy the free time when you're worrying about getting a job... but I try. Sorry, no winterberries - I like those too. I like the bee balm (yellow?) so if end up heading west some day, maybe I'll send you a note.

Deb: Thanks for the heads up - that sounds great, and I'll keep my eyes open.
Saypoint zone 6 CT
16 years ago
"probably one last time"

Is Young's discontinuing hosting the swap? Or are folks looking for a change of pace?
Just wondering
Jo
pennyviolet
16 years ago
Hi ctgph, I may have something for you from my shady yard with tall oaks-do you like sedum Autumn Joy? Also, pachysandra, English ivy, some irises...I'm trying to replace my front lawn with evergreen and bird-happy shrubbery and your leggy miniature Alberta spruces may be welcome. At any rate, happy job hunting!
the_shady_lady
16 years ago
Jo, Where have you been? We've missed you!

I have no idea why Deb said "one last time". Maybe she thought it was too good to be true!!

Seemed like everything was going well...

It's great to hear from you.

Virginia
giboosi_alttara
16 years ago
Not interested in a trade, but I breed hostas and will have lots of seedling to cull, no doubt, and could surely offer starts of other things.

I'm in Ridgefield.
cloud_9
16 years ago
Hi Jo! Did you not move after all? Ron started his own business and is getting very busy. I saw him at the Hartford Flower Show and he said he might not be able to handle both jobs for too much longer.
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Well, Jo, I, for one, saw your post somewhere else that stated you guys decided to stay put, so I'm not surprised to see you post here, lol! By the way, I don't know the ins-or-outs, pros-or-cons, etc. of the non-move, but we will all be happy to see you at the swap this year!

:)
Dee
noticklish
16 years ago
How did the swap at young's nursery get started?
Saypoint zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Yes, I'm still here. I'm glad to have skipped the hassle and stress of moving (again) but I WAS eyeballing a lovely mini-farm in southwest VA on a house-hunting trip there last fall. Oh, well.

The swap was held at a couple of public parks, and then Ron suggested that Young's might be willing to let us have it there. The rest is history. It's a lovely spot for a the gathering, and Young's Nursery was very generous with donated plants, door prizes, and discounted prices on purchases.

Sorry to hear Ron might not be with Young's much longer, but happy for him that he's started his own business.
noticklish
16 years ago
What's the name of Ron's new business?
ronr
16 years ago
sounds like you should definitely attend our plant swap,good food,good plants and good people.
hey noticklish,the name of my business is 'green shield' LLC,mostly geared towards insect and disease management and fertilizing.
speaking of the spring plant swap...

Here is a link that might be useful: Here it is!
triciae
16 years ago
I've got too very large pink bleeding hearts that could use a new home if you're interested? I'm in Mystic.

I could use a little of your ajuga?

You can email me through "My Page" if you'd like the bleeding hearts.

Hope the job hunting goes quickly & well. We've been there, done that...it's not fun.

Tricia
ctgph
Original Author
16 years ago
That's good news and good timing for the swap. Added to my bittersweet job situation is that I've got a good feel about a job possibility I have up near Burlington VT (zone 4 ugh!) I really love it up there though, and options I lose due to zone I can make up for by getting a place finally with some sunny spots (tomatos!!!). It's sad though because I started 5 years ago with a desolate yard, and couldn't tell a daffodil from a rhododendron. Now my utterly random scattering of plants is atually starting to really get established and is so nice to watch grow now.

Anyway, I should know by the time of the swap and will definately attend if I'm not going to be moving.

Tricia: I can definately bring some ajuga, and would love bleeding hearts. Are you going to the swap?

Giboosi: Thanks a lot for the offer, let me see where I land.

Pennyviolet: The spruces will be coming out whether I move or not because they look pretty shabby. They are about 3' tall, and have pretty bad bare spots. They are alive though, and might look OK in a couple years of good sun. I'd be willing to dig them out for you if you wanted to come by. I can even send a pic if you were considering it. Thanks for the offer on the sedum but I think I might be a bit too shady.

I'll chime in on the swap thread when I sort things out. Thanks all.

Broke in CT - seeking swaps?

Comments (15)

rudysmallfry

cloud_9

Related Discussions

ctgph
Original Author

Saypoint zone 6 CT

pennyviolet

the_shady_lady

giboosi_alttara

cloud_9

diggerdee zone 6 CT

noticklish

Saypoint zone 6 CT

noticklish

ronr

triciae

ctgph
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Broke in CT - seeking swaps?

Comments (15)

Related Discussions

ctgphOriginal Author

ctgphOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ctgph
Original Author

ctgph
Original Author