Thanks for the links foxearth! I too keep photos and records of my yard (just north of Atlanta, GA) but they are somewhat sporadic. Currently (2/28/07) my crocus, daffodils, and hyacinths are blooming all together - about 2 weeks early for the crocus, normally the daffodils and hyacinths are later than the crocus, but not this year. We had a strange winter here - 70's and 80's (°F) for most of January, followed by a cold windy February.

Dear ccckoball, Everything on your "have" list would be of interest at the exchange. I have seen tree peonies and they went like hotcakes. Meeting and Greeting is reason enough to attend. There will be others at the swap who will be hosting exchanges later in the spring and summer at private homes. These are really nice events. As for plants, the less common it is the more likely you will have takers. Trade ediquett is very subjective. Some attend with a coveted rare plant and will settle for nothing less than an equal trade. What's precious to some is common to others. For example, one new trader attended with a double daisy which a close friend has passed along to her. The sentimental value of the plant exceeded the horticultural value. In my mind, there is some personal attatchment with every plant I trade, so I really liked the thought of that daisy in my garden and I gladly made an exchange. It's subjective. And it's really fun. I always bring divisions of things I just want to give away and if it results in a trade, so much the better. I never come home with less than 20 new things for my garden. In fact, there are trades where I wished I had come home with less :) You will see well over 100 different cultivars/plants among the traders. In the end it's less about savvy trading, and more about the getting together and sharing stories and plants from our gardens. Hope to see you there Saturday, Regards, Jim Eichner

czimm There are small 3-4 ounce feeders sold at Big Lots and some of the dollar stores that are easy to fill and clean and a good size to start out with. I think the ones at Big Lots are sold in 2 paks and each feeder has a single flower port. and only holds about 3 or 4 ounces of nectar. The birds recognize these little feeders and will use them even though they don't have a perch. There are many different types of feeders available but you want one that is very easy to clean because they do need to be cleaned everyt 2-3 days and the nectar replaced. A large feeder with a small bottle neck is difficult to clean and fill. Also the base has to be cleaned easily as mold can form on the inside if it doesn't completely come apart . The recipe for making your own nectar is a simple one. You can use either 3 or 4 parts water to 1 part granulated cane sugar. I use the 3 parts water to 1 part sugar in the spring when they first arrive and in the fall when they are bulking up to head back south. During the summer when my hummingbird plants are blooming well I go to the 4 parts water to 1 part sugar recipe. One of my forum members who is also a federally licensed bander uses the 3 to 1 mix year round. Eiither mix is perfectly safe.. Just don't use any food coloring in the mix as it isn't necessary and could be potentially harmful over time. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me Penny

Hi all! Of course, every time get the chance I sniff all the "Downy"-like FS at the grocery store...yesterday I happened across a new generic or "store brand" - it's called "Simply Done" and the bottle is light blue with the hot pink cap. Scent is called "spring scent" - I think it's also a fairly good match for our old-school Downy, but in all fairness did wash the load first in Liquid Tide with AF Downy. Tonight I'll try a load with unscented soap. Would love it if someone else found it and tried it too - for comparison! The Target softener is also wonderful...