FAQ-SEED CHANGE Outline 1--Special Instructions for the Seed Exchange --make them a LOT friendlier than the existing ones are, if OK with GW. 2-Getting set up and started A--setting up your GW profile and email settings B--setting up your Trade Page-Post the date it was updated at the TOP of the page --note seed source if other than your garden Commercial (C)-Garden (G) received in Trade (T) --note year harvested, received in trade or purchased, if it is known. C-Member Page Blurb-share a bit about yourself or your gardening style and/or challenges. Even if you are a very private person, possibly you could at least share with us what you enjoy growing. 3--Nothing to trade? Join in the fun by responding to Seeds for Postage ‘offers’ --Everything you ever wanted to know about seeds for postage offers --Members with excess seeds to share 4--Can I trade seeds I have gathered from my garden, ie flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees, etc? What about saving seeds from Hybrid plants? --and also refer them to the Saving Seed Forum, and/or the FAQ there. 5--How should I label my seed packets? Both common and botanical names if known Year of harvest or purchase or received in trade Your GW Member Name, in case there are any questions Additionally growing instructions are nice but not required. It’s also nice to note if the seeds are annuals or perennials if known. (This is just FYI - My seed packets contain the following information plant name, annual/perennial/biennial, USDA Zone, Number of seeds, Light, Soil, Height, (bloom time and color if there is room), my screen name and the year of harvest. ) 6--How many seeds are considered a fair trade? How many seeds are considered a 'fair' trade? A fair trade is whatever you and the other trader agree to. Generally, two to three dozen seeds should be enough to ensure germination and growth of a satisfying number of plants. However, the most certain way to assure both parties will be satisfied is to discuss quantities when negotiating the trade. -- 7--Can I trade last years seeds or seeds older than that? (Some seeds must be fresh to be viable while some can be decades old and still be viable. If you are trading for seeds that do not remain viable for long discuss their freshness with the other person when you negotiate the trade. ) 8--Posting a trade --checking R and R 9--How do I pack my seeds for trading and then protecting them when mailing them? --What should I include? 10--Where do I buy bubble envelopes, and what size should I buy? Are they then reusable? Do I 'have' to buy and use bubble envelopes? Can I just use bubble wrap in a regular envelope? List numerous places where bubble envelopes envies can be bought and suggest sizes...plus more 11-postage costs...sigh 12-Once your trade is complete-The Rate and Review Forum --Please leave a review 13-- I have questions and don't see the answers anywhere. Who or where can I ask? Suggest using the Conversation side of the Seed Exchange, and maybe doing a search via the search box found just below the list of threads on page one. ***extra things to add How do I learn more about Winter Sowing that I see referred to so much? How can I find out how to save and dry my own seeds? How do I know if my saved seeds are viable? Can I save and trade seeds from hybrid plants? Will they grow true from seed? How should I store my seeds? Seed Exchange acronyms, abbreviations and various terms How to Post Pictures Misc Hints and Tips +++++++++++++...glean more info from the existing FAQ and/or rework maybe

The suggested minimum seed count per packet is 24 seeds (two dozen). Some seeds are very rare, or are difficult to collect, or are weighty and costly to mail. Because of any of these reasons you may wish to put less than 24 seeds into a packet. ALWAYS put this information in your very first post when you offer an "under-count" package of seeds. That way there's no "hard feelings" later on. If a trader knows exactly what they're trading for they will be content with their trade.

Seed trading is a wonderful hobby. It's an excellent way to acquire new garden seeds at a very economical cost, and friendships between traders are always rewarding. Seed trading can help you fill your seed box quickly with many different seeds, and your garden will be more beautiful than you can imagine because of all the new and exciting varieties you germinate and grow from those seeds. How do I start trading? You need to post that you have seeds available to trade. In your post you list your seeds or you ask people to look at your trade list on your GardenWeb member page. You may also add your "wish list" to your post, or add any special information that you would like your traders to know when they trade with you. How do I do it? By trading your own seeds for the seeds of another gardener. You offer a list of seeds to each other to choose from, you select what you want to trade for from the other gardener's list. The other gardener will make selections from your list. You both agree on the trade, then exchange mailing addresses. You mail your packs of seeds in protective wrapping. Use bubblewrap to encase the seed packets and place that in an envelope, or you use a padded mailer. The padding helps prevent the seeds from being crushed while in the mail. When the seed arrive you email the other trader to let them know that their seeds arrived and then your trade is complete. That's how you trade seeds....it's easy, it's fun, and it's a wonderful hobby. Trudi

That sometimes happens....it's not a big problem. Email the trader and in a friendly manner let them know that a pack you didn't trade for was sent instead of one you wanted. (If you like the substitute seeds then keep them and enjoy growing the seeds....you don't have to return them.) The other trader may offer in their reply to either mail you the correct pack now, or they may suggest that they can include it (or a substitute selection) later on in another trade with you. Both suggestions are very acceptable. Accidents can happen with trading. Real life can be very distracting. Getting a different pack of seeds than you thought you were getting is always a suprise, however it's never a bad suprise. Those seeds may just grow into some new favorites for your garden.