What a perfect swap! We were short of the 400 attendees the other guys had, but had WAY MORE than the 1000 plants I had perdicted. There were some very special/interesting people (We even had a perfessional forrester, WOW!), a great speaker, lots and lots of friendly plantaholics, and a terrific and gracious host.

It was a wonderful day. I enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Many, many thanks to everyone for coming. Several folks pitched in to help park and unload cars, sign people in, help with food, etc. - - and I really appreciation your help.

My husband counted 37 folks during Robin's presentation and several folks left prior to that time. So I believe we had between 45-50.

And I very much look forward to seeing my new friends again. Hopefully many of you will come back this summer where we can sit and talk longer!

And Brandon is right that we had a ton of plants!!!

It was a wonderful swap, thanks to TNshadylady's hard work. Many thanks to her for the use of her home and garden.
We had the perfect ratio of shade to people. Met lots of new people and new plants and saw lots of old friends, too.

Details, details! I want details!! I'm SOOOOOOOOO jealous that I couldn't be there. Give me the blow by blow!

I would like to thank Cheryl and her husband for hosting a wonderful swap. Everyone was so generous and friendly. It was great to meet so many of the folks that post here. Thanks to all for all of the great plants.

Betty

I too would like to thank Cheryl and her husband. Although I didn't bring anything nor take anything I enjoyed my first swap. It was fun seeing all the plants and their beautiful garden they have put such a lot of work into!

I went to pick up my loot from Cheryl's this afternoon. Thanks to everyone for the great plants! I keep hearing how much fun everyone had, but I still want more details! :-)

Sounds like yaÂll had a very successful day! Congrats to you guys!!! 45-50 is an excellent number. Holler at me if you would like some advice on how NOT to duplicate my many mistakes. :-)

To George Jones, er Hank Jr., er I mean Ione:
So after officially missing every Spring Swap in the state of Tennessee are we to refer to you now as "No-Show-Doc" rather than AmazonDoc, Plantaddict or AmazinDirt? :-)

LOL!

Heck, I showed up at the DOG shows, didn't I?? Samson finished his Rally Excellent title at the first one, and I was suckered into being Obedience Show Chairman at the second one -- so I was kinda busy! :-)

It was a hot, really hot (did I say hot?) day, but it didn't seem to slow anyone down. We all just grabbed shady spots under the trees and started swapping.

As best as I can tell, we had between 45-50 folks (the vast majority were GW members). There were tons and tons of plants!!

We had a picnic lunch and oh my, there were some great homemade dishes!!! If you like chocolate, there were several great desserts - - which I notice my husband snitched a few to put in our refrigerator! Hmmmmm
And there were other to die for desserts, dips and salads! WHO made that yummie spagetti salad????

It was the first swap for several folks and hopefully, they will become professional swapaholics like the rest of us.

Robin from BioEden came to make a brief presentation on Messenger and brought free samples for everyone!

And of course, there was a whole lotta swapping going on.

This was my first swap, and I can not say enough good things about it. It was great to meet everyone, and the vast array of plants was fabulous. My only complaint is that it went too fast, wish I could do a slow-mo replay and catch more details of all the 'new-to-me' plants and be able to spend more time visiting with everyone. Most of all, I'd like to say a special thank you to Cheryl and Ed for being such gracious hosts, and to Laura for such a wonderful job on the website that we all so enjoyed!!

Frances

I've just finished planting all the great plants from the swap. Now I am filled with feelings of great gratitude. Cheryl and her husband did such a magnificent job of organizing everything. The food was FABULOUS! All the old timers were gracious and generous with advice, and it was nice to meet all the newbie gardeners.

For me the best thing about the swap (besides the plants) is the sense of community it brings. Sharing food, meeting neighbors, swapping hints and tips, I especially enjoyed the sight of the adorable babies toddling between the tables.

Thanks to everyone who attended. Thanks for your genorosity. Thanks for my new babies. And we should all give thanks that we live in Knoxville where people really care about their neighbors.

See you next year!

Carole Ann

I think it was a super swap - - a really nice size, with folks that were interested in meeting and talking as much as in swapping plants. And I agree with Frances that I wish the time hadn't gone by so quickly!

Sorry I am just now posting..we have been super busy and my pc is not being co-operative lately (have to reformat it).
My husband and I had a wonderful time...it was my second ( biggest yet) and my husband's first..he thought it was really neat!!
I came home with TONS of wonderful plant's from some very generous people!! We ended up having to go straight home..than back down the mountain to p/u our kids because we had no room ( little yellow saturn here) LOL
I also finally got to plant some out today...luckily they were all pretty healthy and I have been watering this week...I do think the A.V. leaf's did die though...:(( always next swap...LOL (hooked here)
I am sorry about missing the Messenger meeting, but Robin and I did talk about it some before I left. (hubby had been up for 41 hours straight so we had to leave early) I see I also missed the group photo!! :((
That's ok...still meet some wonderful people and hope to meet them again some day...
If anyone need's more manure...come on up!! LOL Will supply shovel and a cold drink!! :))

Hey all,
Well, it was just a fabulous swap! I'm a bit late posting, because my sweet momma has been in the hospital..long story...stomach virus, dehydration....she's doing great now...Thank you Lord! So I'm just getting back home to talk a bit.
Thanks you Cheryl and Ed for being such wonderful hosts(Enjoyed those pics). Thanks to all who helped organize this very fun time. Walter and I really had a great time. I so enjoyed meeting everyone and gabbing. I brought home alot of new plants that everyone graciously shared... the poor things are hanging in there, being watered until I can get them in the ground. I hope in the next few days. They're looking very well. :)) Thank you everyone!

Krikit, It sure was good to meet you and your sweet little momma. Tell her I said Hi and I hope she comes to the next swap. Your chicken eggs were delicous! I'm still working on talking Walter into getting a few hens...LOL...

Cheryl, I brought the spaghetti salad. I'll be glad to e-mail you the recipe, if you would like. Thanks again for everything! You have a beautiful home and gardens and I look forward to visiting again. My brug is growing well and my banana has a new leaf! How neat is that! :))

Happy gardening everyone, Carol Fay

Carol Fay, I would LUV the recipe to your spagetti salad. :-)

So glad to hear that your mother is doing better!!!