Pippi, the Seed Exchange forum has a nice set of FAQs that new traders can check out - I've posted a link to your specific question about amounts. I use yellow coin envelopes for my seed trades, and label them all by hand. Everyone does it differently, but I personally label with the following: Botanical name, Common Name, type (annual or perennial; sometimes I include zone information on perennials but not usually), source if not my garden (e.g., commercial seeds, leftover seeds from generous trader), and year of collection/purchase. You can definitely divide a larger package of commercial seeds into smaller trade amounts and package them individually. There is a "Rate and Review" forum where you can check out comments posted about an individual trader (use the search function on that forum for best results). That being said, I always deal with seed trading on the internet like playing the lottery: never gamble what you can't afford to lose. Now, THAT being said - 99% of traders are super-generous. Many will include extra seeds not agreed on in the trade (hint: if you post a list under "Seeds I am Looking For", many traders will look at that and see if they have anything that fits). This is especially true if the trader knows you are just starting to build variety in your garden. I've done this for a few years now. When I first started, I had very little, and now, due to generous traders, I have so much I wonder if I can plant it all in one lifetime. Once in awhile, I still get "stiffed" on a trade - it doesn't even phase me anymore; I have so much stuff. And I still play by my original rule of not trading away anything more than I can afford to lose. I encourage you to visit the Round Robin Exchange forum as well - participating in the large swaps is a great way to build your stash. Good luck with your trading! Kim Here is a link that might be useful: How many seeds is a fair trade?

I'd ask the other person how many seeds he/she is looking for & negotiate from there. If you're talking brug seeds, I'd consider 6 to 8 seeds a decent trade...think of the potential space/water/fertilizer requirements if you end up with say, 5 plants from those seeds. I received 3 trades of brug seeds this spring and have 11 brug plants growing from about 15 seeds. In a year's time, those brugs, added to several I've grown from cuttings, will be taking up a lot space. If you're talking about seeds for other kinds of plants, larger numbers of seeds may be desirable. Patrick

I'm not so much worried about what I get but more worried about being fair, polite and EXPEDIENT. In fact, If I didn't plant another thing in my garden, nobody would notice. Problem is, I get a little impatient when there seems to be a "dance" about who offers what. Usually goes, How many bulbs do you want? answer: I don't know, YOU tell me. It becomes email ping pong. I'm just trying to learn what others do to make it a more efficient process, with "no dancing around issue". @Betsy, I think I still trade b/c I do like the thought of virtual friends living in my garden. If not, I would've stopped long ago. And you are also right about most people being generous. I'm just trying to get past the "dance".

I simmered the ingredients below for about 20 mins. then packed in sterile jars. I am quite meticulous as I have an exaggerated fear of botulism (which I'd never even heard of before reading Steinbeck's East of Eden - go figure!) Thanks for the link - similar ingredients but I think spicier overall. I think I will try it next year, 7 C. chopped tomatillos 7 peppers (hot Hungarian and Jalapeno mix) 2 C chopped onions 2 cloves garlic 1/2 lime juice 1/2 cilantro (I substituted parsley) 2 tsp cumin 1tsp oregano (fresh and dried mix) 1tsp salt 1tsppepper