I would be interested in fruits.

Interesting idea, Jlee! The only fruit I've grown from seed is strawberries. All of the fruit trees, plus the grapevines, and currant bush I'm growing, were all purchased as bareroot plants. I know that many fruit trees are grafted onto a root stock, but surely there are a few fruits that can be grown from seed.

I forgot to mention in the original post that all of the swaps that were successful this year, were NOT partner type swaps, but ones where everyone sent their seeds to the host, who then divided them up and mailed them back out.

Keep those ideas coming!

I would definitely be interested in participating in a swap involving only edibles. I am pretty new to GW and do not have a huge seed stock. But count me in and let me know how I might be able to help!

I would truly hate to see the group disappear! I've received some wonderful seeds from many of these swaps!!

I wonder if it's a 'time of year' issue? I know for the RR swaps they really pick up over Fall/Winter and seem to get lesser participation when everyone is outside in the spring/summer tending their gardens.

What about a Salad Bowl swap? For lettuces and/or spinach and/or other greens that typically go into salads?

I really love the Seed Clean out swap because it's such a variety of all types of edibles. The tomato, bean and pepper swaps are all also great favorites.

I do like the fruit idea above. That might be really interesting.

I love the melons, cukes and summer squash swap too!! I received some really nice varieties the last one I was in.

Maybe toss in a 'Share the Heirlooms' partner-type swap? Might pull some people in that are used to that type of swap? Include a recipe maybe for an heirloom veggie that you are sending your partner, etc?

I would also really love to see an Herb swap.

I'll think some more..lol

~Wendy

I like the idea of a salad greens swap. Or how about greens and roots -- can include carrots, beets, etc., as well as herbs such as basil.

I also like the idea of a beans, corn, and squash swap.

I would love to participate in this group. I have tons and tons of edible heirlooms, and the current RR swaps just don't cater to the needs of edible gardeners. I do know that towards the end of summer, I'm not at all interested in trading. I am usually too busy preserving harvests, saving & processing new seed, and it's just too late to plant anything. I think the greatest interest is just before we begin buying our commercial seeds and starting our transplants.

An idea for an interesting swap would be during the commercial seed buying season, perhaps January or February. Often I find that I don't need a full pack of seed. So, perhaps we could have a swap where we post all of the varieties we are going to purchase for the upcoming growing season. Basically you could split the purchase. For example:
My list:
Yellow stars and stripes melon
Arugula
Giant pumpkin

Other users list:
Purple Basil
Yellow stars and strips
Giant pumpkin

So, since their are 2 matching packs, I would buy the stars and stripes, and the other trader would buy giant pumpkin. I would then mail half the pack of the melons to to other trader, and they would mail me half a pack of the giant pumpkin. Thus saving each person $2-3.

I know that I usually buy about 75-100 new varieties every year. If there were other users who made large purchases we could actually end up saving a lot of money. I mean honestly, who needs 50 Habanero plants? And by seeing other traders list, you may find something you really like, but wouldn't have found otherwise. Just a thought anyway!

I participated in the pumpkin, winter squash, and gourd swap (one of my first swaps) and even though the participation was apparently low, I received a nice selection. So I think that even small swaps have value.

There are two reason I would hate to see this group die out. First, the focus has remained on seeds. I imagine that the cards and gifts are nice but it appears that seeds have become an afterthought for many other groups. Second, I don't see another group focused on edibles. My take on gardening has been, "If I can't eat it, why would I grow it?", which explains the sorry state of my lawn. I do plant a few flowers here and there but edibles are my primary driver.

So with that said, I am willing to host the Seed Clean Out Swap in January (with some guidance from the pros). I am also willing to host the Melon, Cucumber, and Summer Squash swap but would like to move it to April. I usually put these plants out or direct seed them in mid-May. Starting a swap in May just seems too late. What is the Spring Fling swap? Can we replace it with the melon swap, combine the two, or have two separate swaps in the same month?

I also really like the lettuce/salad swap idea.

Even if the group takes a few months off in the summer when we are all busy outside, having a Fall Garden swap in June or July makes sense to me.

Daryl

I am very excited, and relieved to see that there is still interest in the Incredible Edibles!

Let me try to respond to some of the questions and suggestions.

Time of year issues - yes, the months of Dec - April are the high traffic months for seed swapping. Everyone's done harvesting, and are planning the next year's garden. Historically, this group has held one swap per month. This year, we chose to take the months of June, July, and August off, since we knew participation would be low anyway. So this leads me to another question. If we only have five months (Dec. - April) to fit all of the swaps in, that may mean having a couple of swaps going at once. Will there be enough interest to support that?

Spring Fling Swap - Several of you inquired about this swap. Basically it was kind of like the Salad Bowl Swap that Sassybutterfly suggested. We swapped early season veggies, such as leafy greens, carrots, radishes, broccoli, etc., but we combined it with Easter, so we put the seeds in a basket, or other gardening container, and threw in some chocolates, or other Easter candy. We can leave off the basket this time around if you guys prefer, and keep the seed part of the swap. The kid in me just enjoyed receiving an Easter basket with both candy and seeds, LOL!

Herbs - We did an herb swap one year, and it had decent participation. The thing about herbs is so many of them are perennial. Once you have chives, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, etc., you really don't have to plant them again. The other thing is that some of the most sought after herbs, such as Lemon Verbena, or the flavored mints, can't be grown from seed, so it would involve sending bareroot plants or cuttings. It is a good swap for those that are new to growing herbs though.

Rqeversole, we did something like you described one year, but since some money had to change hands, due to the fact that some folks orders were larger than others, we did it as a private swap among the regulars in the group. Each of us picked a seed company, and everyone sent their seed requests to each other. If multiple people wanted the same item, the package and cost was split. I think it ended up being 6 or 8 different companies that we ordered from. It was a bit complicated, but I think we all saved a bit of money, and it was interesting to see what everyone else was ordering.

Daryl, thank you for your willingness to host!!! Now I just need three or four more volunteers, and then I can put a schedule together : )

Bonnie

I hope the group continues. I don't swap with this group very often because I do not plant many edibles (mostly because our summer weather is so hot and dry), but I do participate from time to time.
I especially like rqeversole's idea that if we are ordering seeds, we could split the pack with someone else who is interested in similar seeds - maybe call it Divide and Conquer! I also enjoy the swap for Odd Edibles. Whether they grow well for me or not, I am always intrigued to see what the seeds are!
Jeanne

So here is a tentative schedule (subject to change), with hosting needs:

JANUARY:
Seed Clean Out Swap (Pawneepapa/Daryl)

Commercial Seed Swap- Divide & Conquer (NEED A HOST)

FEBRUARY:
Totally Tasty Tomatoes (possibly Austinnhanasmom/Deb, but would love to have a backup volunteer)

Fabulous Fruits (any fruits except melons, since those are included in another swap) (Possibly me/highalttransplant, but open to someone else hosting)

MARCH:
Pick-A-Peck of Peppers Swap (highalttransplant/Bonnie)

Spring Fling (Salad Swap) (NEED A HOST)

APRIL:
Cukes, Melons & Summer Squash (Pawneepapa/Daryl)

MAY - OCT. no scheduled swaps - get outside and garden : )

NOVEMBER:
Beans, Beans, Beans (NEED A HOST)

Pumpkins, Winter Squash & Gourds (NEED A HOST)

I moved the bean swap and pumpkins swap to November, because many of us are still harvesting in October, and need time to allow the seeds to dry before packaging and mailing.

DECEMBER:
It would be nice to exchange cards with the group regulars, maybe with a favorite recipe inside, instead of seeds. That way we wouldn't be competing with other Christmas swaps, but could still show our appreciation for one another. What do you guys think?

Plan for the next year.

Okay, so there you have it. It looks like we need 5 or 6 volunteers to make this a go. Once all of the swaps are covered, I will post the new schedule on a separate thread.

Bonnie

I suppose I could host the commercial swap/divide & conquer since I threw that idea out. I do have some ideas to prevent the exchanging of money during this one, and still keeping it relatively simple. I would still like some tips from the veterans on general hosting, as this will be my first host experience.

Awesome, rqeversole (Robert?)! I've sent you an email.

Daryl, you should have received an email from me as well.

Yes Bonnie, you guessed right, it is Robert!

I'd be interested in hosting the Spring Fling (Salad Swap)

Bonnie, I just joined this group for the first time with Pumpkins, winter squash & gourds and was delighted with the swap even though it was a smaller group. I would like this group to continue as well and I will host the the pumpkins winter squash & gourds swap, I never done one so I will need a lil coaching lol.
Wendey

Bonnie, one more thing if we can move the pumpkin swap back to Oct. would be much better for me as my garden goes to bed in Oct and Nov. is really busy with birthdays and holidays.
Thanks, Wendey

i would be interested in a pumpkin, squash and gourd swap.
i am willing to host a swap, any swap.

thanks, michelle

Tl.graham, Wendeyzee, and Michelle - you have mail : )

Let me know if for some reason you don't receive it, and I'll resend.

Hi Bonnie, I didn't receive your email.

Okay, Wendey, I'm sending it again.

Hi Bonnie! received your email and gathered some info... I am excited about hosting the Spring Fling swap!!

I have participated in the Totally Tomatoes swap for the last couple of years. My only frustration is that you receive seeds too late for that year's planting. I (like a lot of people) start seed in early-mid February, so I'd LOVE it if the tomato swap could get moved up to December or January.

It seems to make sense to me to be swapping seeds just after the season for that particular thing is over (Warm Weather plants in Fall/Winter and Cold Weather plants in Spring/Summer, so seeds are received in time to plant for the upcomming season. I know I'd participate in more swaps if it were done that way.

Slo garden, I certainly understand your frustration with the timing of the swaps, which is one of the reasons I moved the pumpkin and bean swaps to November from October, to accommodate more swappers.

The problem is that the schedule already has two swaps scheduled in January. I tried my best to schedule things around planting times for the majority of the swappers that participate. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of zone 9 folks in the swaps. For those in zones 5, 6, or 7 (which covers the majority of the GW swappers), tomatoes are typically started sometime in March, with last frost dates being mid-April through mid-May.

If you let the swap host know your planting dates, and send you seeds in early, hopefully they will be able to work around your schedule, and have your envelope be one of the first ones to be mailed back out.

I realize that I'm never going to be able to come up with a schedule that is perfect for everyone, but I truly do want to include as many people as possible, so I welcome the feedback, and hope I haven't offended anyone.

Bonnie

I'm glad to see so many have commented and given some input! I hadn't checked the thread for a few days. So, what swaps are still in need of hosts or co-hosts?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

~Wendy

Wendy, I have been encouraged by the response as well!

At this point the only swap that no one has expressed an interest in hosting is the Beans, Beans, Beans Swap. Also, I am still not sure yet if Deb will be hosting the Totally Tasty Tomato Swap, so I would love a co-host on that one as well. As you know, that is a BIG swap though, and it probably should be an experienced host (such as yourself, hint, hint, LOL).

I'll probably be in the kitchen all day tomorrow, so if I don't have time to check back in, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Bonnie

hahaha! I'd be happy to co-host the Totally Tasty Tomato Swap or the bean swap. Just let me know what ya need me to do and I'll be happy to help out. :)

(Do you think it's too late to still do the Beans swap for this year extending into January?)

Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!!
~Wendy

Bonnie,

I would be happy to help with the Bean swap in whichever capacity you need help in. Lord knows I will be swimming in beans by next November...I have a terrible addiction to collecting colorful and rare beans!

Robert

Hey Wendy, I sent you an email through GW, but then I went ahead and resent it directly through my email provider, since GW mail doesn't always go through. Let me know if you get it.

Bonnie

I can do the bean swap at any time, preferably after Christmas!! I love beans!! I have been off GW for a month or so and am just reading/catching up. Veggies are my driving force for gardening...
If people are interested, I can do a combined bean and heirloom swap. Would it be too much to have it in Jan or Feb??
I'm easy, Just let me know when you want it and what type of swap.

Thanks for keeping this going,

Kelly

Interested in Divide and conquer and heirlooms especially as I like to save seed. Thanks.CZ

I haven't been on this site for some time time since I have had so many things to deal with and then we had Thanksgiving a week earlier. Yes, I would hate to see this site end since I have participated in the vegie swaps before and love it. If there is any month that needs a host I would love to help. Thanks Bonnie.

Ellie

Ellie, just sent you an email. Please let me know if you get it.

Still waiting to hear back from a couple of people that expressed interest in hosting. Once I have all of the hosts lined up, I'll get the 2012 schedule posted.

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful support and feedback!

Bonnie

Emailed ya back! :)

I am so happy that people are again showing interest in IE. It was my first group to both swap in and to host in!!
And for those who are concerned that a particular seed swap is not early enough for planting time...well you can always do what I do and just look at your seed stash as a collection that is always in progress. I have enough different tomato seed varieties to keep me planting for 10 or 15 years LOL....but I am always happy to update with newer seed and newer to me varieties, so it doesn't matter when I receive the seeds because I can always use them in another season.

Still lurking, still interested. Life has just gotten complicated.

Glad to see the interest. Glad Bonnie & Donna are still taking care of Incredible Edibles.

Yeah Donna, it's a good thing that most seeds are viable for several years! I have way more seeds than I could ever use in a single year, but I still keep acquiring more varieties each year. I think it's a sickness really, LOL!

The schedule is just about finalized, and I'm excited about all of the new hosts we have! This schedule is more in line with peak member usage here on GW, which I hope will help with participation. I'm just waiting to hear from one last host, so I should have the schedule posted sometime this week.

Bonnie

Hey Boo! :)

I'm anxious to see what you've come up with Bonnie! :)

~Wendy / sassyb.

Yeah, all of the swaps are covered!!!

Before posting the schedule though, there is one more thing I'd like to discuss. I had planned to do a Fabulous Fruits Swap in February, but when I started to research growing fruit from seed, I discovered a few things.

1) the only commercial fruit seeds I found (other than melons, which are already covered in another swap) were strawberries
2) all of the articles I found did not recommend growing fruit trees or berry bushes from seed, because most are grafted onto a disease resistant, and/or dwarfing rootstock, so if grown from seed, and will not come true from seed.
3) fruit trees grown from seed can 5 - 10 years to produce fruit.

Soooo, with all this in mind, I'm not thinking a fruit seed swap would really be practical.

The 2012 Incredible Edibles Swap Schedule is NOW POSTED : )

Happy Swapping!!!

Bonnie

Here is a link that might be useful: 2012 Incredible Edibles Swap Schedule