in times like that I convince myself by saying what if, what if it's not one of the ones I have, what if it's something that's not in circulation , what if it is one that I have on my list or two or three and I can get them all right now, what if my wife is not home and I plant them really quickly then she'll never know. That's the best one of all cuz then were both surprised when they bloom.

Jeff, the swap itself begins promptly at 2 pm, but I'm hearing many people are arriving earlier, some with food in tow. It is located at the Lake Cunningham Recreational Facility where I have reserved the covered area for the day. This park is on N McElhaney, right near the intersection of N McElhaney and Rte 101 (behind the fire station). Here are the original rules I established to help keep things from being totally chaotic: 1. If you bring one plant, you take home one plant. If you bring two, you take two, etc. 2. Houseplants, annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, vines (did I miss anything?) are all welcome. Seeds or cuttings can be swapped for other seeds or cuttings. 3. I prefer to separate the live plants into "swap rounds". Each person will put one plant into the "round", and numbers will be drawn to see who gets first, second, third, etc pick of that round. New numbers will be chosen each round so the same person doesn't always go first. If you brought only 3 plants, you can only be part of three "rounds". This may not be the way you have done it before, but I'm appealing to you to humor me and try it my way. 4. Since I don't want to keep everyone for hours, I'm limiting the live plant "rounds" to 6. We can swap seeds/cuttings in rounds after, if needed. 5. Please schedule your personal trades for a time that does not conflict with the actual swap. I believe the park is open sun-up to sundown. The Plants: * Please make every attempt to label the plant with its latin name, including the variety. Plastic cutlery or popsicle sticks work great for this if you use a Sharpie. * Please bring plants that are free of bugs, disease and/or weeds. * Please remember to water the plants thoroughly the night before, not the day of the swap. This will help prevent muddy messes. Sandi

I would bring up the subject of his dying plants and see what he says. He might not know what is going on and might be eager for your help. A soaker hose would have prevented those plants from dying. Life is so much better being on good terms with your neighbors. I'm surprised you don't know them very well as it is. I trade and sell plants with my neighbors quite frequently. My closest neighbor and I shared the cost and labor of a 650 ft. ranch wire fence topped with barbed wire. It also has a hot wire on the inside to keep his cows and horse from pushing on the fence to get at my plants. (It's always greener on the other side.) Good neighbors have good fences. Mike

Hi Everyone, Well this year has SUCKED so far and my gardens and plants have not been any better. Brenda I do have the Taurus Rex Begonia for you but the rabbits destroyed my Sutherland gold Sambucus. If I can get the little bit of it that is still alive to survive, maybe I can get some for you next year. I am not bringing too much this year, and I did not get any peonies dug up as I planned - sigh. In fact NOTHING I planned has worked out, and you will all be subjected to my tale of woe and misery. At least I have the swap to look forward to..... -Rosalinda