Brenda, the idea is for all participants to post a list on their GW profile of what are their most-wanted ones. It's like Christmas in the summer when you participate in these secret trades. You don't necessarily get only plants on your want list, though most try hard to accommodate those wishes. The 5 I sent Signet were not on her list, but she didn't have any of the ones I sent, lucky guess on my part. The problem with want lists is that they are only reflective of what you have been exposed to in terms of cultivars, it could well be that you'd be very happy to have something else that for some reason or other you simply have not seen before. I have always been happy to receive what may be duplicates of what I have already, since it is the thought that counts. Even if I don't really NEED another Minuteman I know I can always do someone else a favour with it. If you want to make sure you only get plants that are of interest to you as part of a trade you should do what I would call a targeted trade, like you and I did earlier this year. By seeing what the other party has potentially available your interest may be piqued by something you hadn't thought of before. For example, I didn't have Patricia on my want list, but once I saw what it is it was a no-brainer. I know there are some varieties I have that are of interest to you and I'd be happy to entertain another trade with you next year, like I'm trying to do with some of the other participants in this secret trade. There's nothing like being part of a circle of enablers...... Pieter

I personally don't think buying seeds for someone else is necessary. Nor is it expected. If you want to, I guess that is fine. I look through other's lists and some are getting 3 things and others are not getting any (from me). But as I see it, others that have things that I don't have, and will have some for them (the person I din't have any for) and perhaps none for someone else. If someone has a short want list they might not get much of anything since we can't fill their wants if they don't want anything. The host will have to fill in the gaps for them with extras seeds, and hope there is something in there that might please this person. If the person with a short list is not sure what they want, perhaps they can be vague and say I like blue flowers that like the shade. Or any flowers, I am new and I have no clue what will grow here yet. Then maybe someone can toss in something that fits that requirement. Personally, I am tossing my extra veggie seeds in the extras baggie. So, if someone that asks for any veggie or any tomato, Fran can fill in with my extra veggies in a fair way. I have no way of knowing if one person needs more seeds and another has an overflowing amount already. But really, I think this should be fun, and as Fran said it is not a one for one thing, just share what you have, and it will all be ok. (really) For example: I once participated in the give to a newbie thing as a newbie gardener. I really did not receive much of anything I could use (mostly flowers). But is was still fun. I kept what I could use and SASE'ed what I did not need. So the seeds found nice homes, even if not mine. All is good. Surprises are fun. Giving is good for the heart, and sole. I hope my interpretation of this Swap is not not way off. Yes I should try starting seeds inside in early spring. I found out out that natural beginnings seeds starter mix is a very good all natural mix from gardens alive. My rutabagas did very well in this mix. I had always thought of starting seeds inside as a northern thing to do. But I guess it is not. We are trying to beat heat and the northerners are trying to beat the frost. I have some soup peas in damp paper towels now to try to give them a early go for it this spring. Last spring direct sowed peas took 3 weeks to come up. So by the time they matured, it was too hot. I'm learning. My garden is on the side of the house were veggies get shade after 2 pm. First year I made the mistake of thinking full sun, I will plant on west of the house. UG. Learned that, that is too much sun for Texas! So this year all will hopefully be better due to: water ditches starting some things under pop bottle cloches Sprouting peas inside living mulch verses dead mulch cover crops over winter reorienting garden beds so sorghum and sunflowers can help shade off the rest of the garden. avoiding overly thirsty crops smaller tomato varieties trying beany things along ground But anyway, time to go to the dentist. I have to realize I am not the only one having garden woes. It is just that since I am a new gardener, all years have been extreme weather years. I have nothing to compare it to. Hope every has some fun with this SWAP. Mary

I have my civil war fabric out just waiting to see how many pieces I need to cut. I am working on a quilt where I need a medium and a dark and background. I have 28 prs of med and dark and need 30 so am hoping I get what I need in this exchange! Maryv

Our Blooming Friends is a membership group with the purpose of providing a safe friendly environment for trading. If you are not a member you are invited to join. No plants this month but some fun surprises. Shirley can you add the official statement of rules, Please?