These are the rules as far as my experience goes - (I have done this in the Pacific NW and in Houston TX so let me know if there are customs here I don't know about) 1) No money changes hands - but everyone is aware of the relative value of the plants they bring to swap. No one is under any obligation to swap a prime specimen for something ordinary. But - no one really wants to bring all those pots home either. So someone coming to a swap with nothing good to trade may not go home with the best of the swap, but they won't go home empty handed. 2) One persons "Something Ordinary" is another persons treasure. So if you are in doubt about bringing something - bring it. This goes for pine straw, pots, seedlings, cuttings, seeds, small divisions, large divisions, left over fertizers, pesticides (in the original containers) any gardening goodie. 3) Plants should be labeled with as much detail as possible. When I know exactly where I purchased the mother plant, I cut out the description out of the catalog show the prospective new owner. If I don't know much about the plant, I at least take a picture of it in bloom and am able to describe the requirements and habit. This dosn't have to be fancy - but labeled plants are much better swapping material than unlabeled plants. 3) Try not to include any aggressive/invasive stowaways in your pots. (don't even get me stated about bindweed!) If you have used any heavy duty pesticides, it is only fair to disclose this. 5) Very Important - Stay for the potluck and doorprizes. So, Bring your pine straw and something yummy for lunch. Any comments about the date? March 31st? Any additions, comments, or customs that I'm unaware of? I'll take a look at the park early next week - it is really important that there is parking close to picnic tables. (otherwise you have to haul heavy pots a long way) I'll see about reserving a spot or needing a permit, but I bet we don't need to do that. Lets get a firm date and a head count first.

That is so great! I saw the first swallowtails on my new butterfly bush today. I was so excited, the the hummingbird fley by me, she had been drinking nectar from the purple duranta erects flowers. There was a black swallowtail on the fig tree, I have no idea why it was there. And momma bluebird was perching on the outside of the house feeding her babies. It was a great day! kay

I camouflaged the long white Canon 400 mm lens the cheap way-with permanent magic markers. I have to refresh the camouflage pattern occasionally, but it still works. We were back at Lockegee Rock yesterday and a 1rst year female Blackburnian Warbler came up over the top and landed so close to me that sometimes the lens couldn't focus From April 11, 2010 birds

Bull nosing a tile is of no help unless your tile is a true "thru body" material. I.E . marble or travertine is an example of a thru body material. start by calling your tile distributors , counter fabricators and tile pros im your area. Many times if they fabricate slabs etc. they will also offer bullnosing.most good tile pros will have some profile wheels and skills to fabricate. ive installed a lot of the profile edges...... they can and do scratch and should at least be a concern!! especially the aluminum / colored ones....once they are installed and they do get scratched.... youre stuck...... and if installed properly within the tile assembly with thinset they dont just pop out and arent so replaceable..... edit: I choose to mention this to my clients based on actual experience with many brands and types of profile edges. Once you are tasked with going back to a clients home and removing and replacing a profile edge after it gets damaged and you failed to mention this long term concern to your client......only then could you understand...... just my hands on experience with them.... good luck.