First, thank you all for putting up with my doggies! I expected Percy (the big one) to behave well, but the new white puppy is like a loaded cannon, and I didn't really know what to expect. So I appreciate all of your tolerance with his antics. Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for bringing tables and chairs! and doing the set-up! That was really more than I could handle by the time the swap started, and you all were just champs... greatly appreciated. I'm always so impressed and humbled by the wealth of knowledge shared by the gardeners in this group! I never really had anywhere to play in the dirt until I moved to this house, and I've been grateful for all I've learned from you. Msty- thanks so much for the coneflower and showing me what the seeds are like! They're in their new home, and I hope they'll be very happy there. And Msty, thanks so much to you and Amester for coming early to help me. Amester, your geranium is in its new home, and I hope it will like it! Skybird - thanks for bringing all your cuttings, and wealth of information, and your camera! I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Popmoma- your friend's daughter was ADORABLE with the puppy! I wish I could have filmed them in action, and shared it with her mom. Thanks also for your yum yum mix, and the hostas! and the malva sylvestris! They are tucked into their new homes and I hope they like it here. :) Tim- it was nice meeting you! And thank you for the lamb's ears (yes?) And I am also sorry you had to leave before the actual swap started. Also, I am wondering if a white plastic lawn chair belongs to you. It was left behind after the swap. Sugaralice- Thank you so much for that incredibly yummy avocado salad! Do you live nearby? Can I buy another salad from you?? :) Gardenfiend- thanks for the pretty mum that will go just great along my front walk. *** And thanks for thinking of bringing the card that we all signed. I have it here at home and will be happy to mail it, but I do not have the address. Also thanks for all the other yummy treats that people brought for desserts, and the drinks, etc. I think the pizzas were an ok idea for a change. Altogether the 7 pizzas cost $96.00 including tax, and there were lots of leftovers. I collected $66.00 from the group, and I used ten of that for the tip. So if anyone feels that they can contribute a little more, it would be appreciated. Even if not, I still came out ahead! with all my wonderful new plants! And great new wealth of gardening info. Happy week! Betty

The swap was quite fun--wish I could have stayed longer, but the kids were needing some attention. Thanks for all the neat trades, everyone! Today will hold the joyous task of settling all of them in for winter. :) As for that crinum depositor--I think I know who that was. If so, they knew you loved them to pieces, and did you the favor of not allowing a refusal! LOL ;) If you ever find out what cultivar they are, let me know. Also, I don't think they are 'Milk and Wine', as they seem more magenta than the pics of those that I have seen.

Those cookies do sound tasty. Starting a couple of years ago, I've been enjoying Mayan Mystery cookies. They are crunchy chocolate with spices and just a touch of cayenne. They seem to be a hit with many of our friends and family. Not being much of a baker myself, I let others make them for me. :-) Jim

Garlic is typically planted in the fall, mulched well, and will sprout in the spring. Since yours is in a pot, I would carefully plant it in good soil with as little root disturbance as possible unless you are extraordinarily good at keeping things in pots well watered and well fed. Water it in well if you decide to plant it, and remove the scape when it starts so that energy goes into bulb formation (usually early to mid-July here.) Dig it when the leaves start dying back (late July here with the varieties I grow), but if you want to continue to grow garlic don't eat it all. In early to mid-October, separate the cloves and replant, mulch well, and next year you will have a head for each clove you planted. Use the largest cloves for replanting as they will create the largest heads the following year. I love growing garlic as it's easy and we eat a lot of it. It's also lovely to have those green leaves sprouting in early spring. I usually have some in my flower garden as well since the scapes are ornamental IMO.