Second year planning now for the plant swap. Had quite a few people last year and hoping for a lot more. There will be lots of WS seedlings just for the taking. With or without plants and seedlings to swap, you are more than welcome to come and let "us veterans" get you started with seedlings for your gardens. Date June 2, 2007 10am till everyone leaves. Please post at the link below on the New England Forum Here is a link that might be useful: Billerica/Boston Area Spring plant Swap Info

Hm...new to this. Was able to post my first post to GW earlier but this one didn't seem to take so will try again. I would love to come to the swap ~ my first! I haven't gardened much in the last few years since I'm a renter, had moved and was disinclined to do so at the new triple decker since the neighbor's 2 massive dogs created a urine dead zone in the small front yard. I was able to still enjoy tending to a small 2x8 patch below my bedroom windows on the most rudimentary level. This year I decided to build a raised 4x4 bed since it seems the yard isn't a priority for the landlord and I plan to have some veggies there so had started some seeds including brandywine, purple tomatillo, chiltepin peppers, jalapenos, and seeds of a vine mom passed my way but they're all too leggy to pass on to anyone so they will have a chance to survive in the perennial bed just because I don't want to compost them after how hard they tried. On a good note, I do have some "Autumn Joy" sedum and as soon as the rain ceases and the soil dries I will definitely divide and deliver! I could only bring 3 but if I come home without them and instead with a new to me flower or veggie that would be great. Thanks Fran for volunteering to hold a swap and even more so to being so welcoming to complete strangers who want to share! Best of luck with the back!

Hi Kathy, Welcome to GW and so glad I've been able to help you. You are more than welcome to come to the swap with or without plants, seedlings. Believe me when I say there will be plenty of seedlings for the taking. And please bring your friend from Billerica as well. I only start my seeds outside with the WS method. Gave up trying indoors years ago because I never had any luck that way. Now, I have tons and tons of seedlings to plant. This year the seedlings are no doupt going to be smaller than usual because the weather has been so crazy, so don't worry about how small yours are. Sweet peas from a novice gardener? There a several of us that want to know the secret you have. I've been trying for years and this is the first year I've had any seeds germinate from the vining kind. Reminders of the swap will be on the thread on the exchange page. I posted the link for it above. As for what to bring, you can decide yourself and just let others know what you are going to bring on the new thread on the exchange page. We will all be out in the gardens digging and potting stuff up for the swap. One simple thing to use to pot things up with is styrofoam cups. I use the 8 oz and 12 oz size and you can label them by writing on the cup as well. Then they can be reused for next year. See you posting on the new thread. See the link above for the thread or just click on the exchange link at the top of the page. Fran

Hello ALL, I am so looking forward to meeting you all. I am not the best gardener in the world but I try. I have built a 44 foot diameter labyrinth in my back yard, a wooded lot but still half of it has good sun. I am trying to collect hostasfor the past couple of years to surround the perimeter, but I have a long way to go. So anyone with extra hostas, I can't collect enough of them for this project! I am also looking for day lillies, especially the yellow ones but any color will be helpful. I am also looking for the herbs: costmary, comfrey, Lady's mantle and sweet woodruff I have a very limited perenial garden so I am open to any extras that you might be able to share. What I have to share: the herb southernwood. It is a green feathery like plant. It is suppose to repel insects. I was told to take the greens and wood stems in early spring and put them around my echinecia plants to keep them from being attacked by bugs and it has worked for me! It is not evasive at all. It more or less stays right in the same place you plant it. I make snippings and root them for new plants. So if people are interested please let me know so I know how much to bring. Rose campion. It is has beautiful 18 inch silver grey stem with brilliant scarlet red small blooms. I have to say this plant is beautiful but it will spread seeds and within a few years you will have a lot. The plant isn't evasive per se it just seeds a lot. So I have given it, its own perenial garden so the garden just seeds itself and the wave of red blooms are stunning. I get so many compliments on it. It blooms in summer through fall. It is an old fashion cottage type perenial that would look great in any garden, but if you put it in with other flowers, just take note that you will have to cut the seed head before they are released or you will have to dig up the seedlings the following spring and put them where you want them. Again, if anyone is interested let me know. I don't want to dig up any more than people will take. Egyptian Onion. I love it. It comes out with the chives each spring, You can use it like thick chives or use the small shallot like onions that grow on the top. A pretty plant that is one of the first to welcome spring. I don't know what my spring soups would taste like with out my Eqyptian onions. Chives, I guess everyone knows about them Feverfew. A herb that is also an insect repellent. It grow aboyt 12 to 18 inches with a lot of greenery and beautiful small white Daisey like flowers. This does spread its seed through the yard but I would not call it evasive. When I do see a seedling growing in another part of the yard , I just dig it up and replant it with the rest of the feverfew. They are very beautiful in the summer and last quite a long time. Sun drops. Someone told me they were evening primrose sun drops. I don't know about evening primrose becasue they have bright yellow flowers that bloom during the day. They bloom the same time as the Rose campion and they compliment each other very well, color wise. Of the flowers that I have, I think these are the most evasive and WILL take over your garden if you don't give it its own spot. But they are very pretty. Echinecia. I have a few purple coneflowers that I could share, but I don't have too many of them. Cat Nip. My cats love it. I grow it by my kitchen door so I know where the cats are most o fteh time! Spearmint. Who can live without it! I am looking for pepermint if anyone has it. Purple Siberian Iris Lily of the Vally Red Dahlias I think that is about it I am cleaning out my bookshelves and will try to bring some gardening books. And I will try to get my husband to make apple knubby cake. You can e mail me directly at blaketaylore@yahoo.com if you want any of these plants or have any questions about them. Looking forward to the swap! Blake