Hi Gina...it's NOT in bad taste to see if folks will be bringing certain plants they are looking for. It certainly isn't a secret. I think folks are anxious for people to get things they are looking for at a swap. In fact, some folks set up trades via email beforehand that are separate from the group swap - and put those plants in their cars before the actual big swap begins. (I think Hostalavista and Michigan Betty do that with certain hostas since they are both collectors) I will be bringing some pots of hardy crainsbill geraniums to the swap. Time (spring) will tell me which ones...later on. In fact, I am hoping someone has Achillea Taygeta. I would LOVE a division of that plant. Sounds like there will be quite a few folks bringing their left over winter sown plants for swapping!! Fun! Think sunshine!.......Beverly

Carol, it was so nice to meet you and I am glad you enjoyed your first swap. We had about 50 people which is good for our first one. But next year we want to get more of the locals to come out and join us. We don't have plant swaps as a rule around here so it was something new, but everyone enjoyed it. We will advertise more next year. The food, there is no words to describe the food, I just took a spoon full of each thing so I got a taste of everything, and desserts, there was no way I could taste everything and I wanted too. Joyce is a doll and you would enjoy the Blue Bird. But if you go you MUST make sure that you go into the toy museum, you don't want to miss it. Of course you must stop at Betty Kaye Bakery. In the fall The Perennial Place has a big sale and it is only a little way out of town, he has nice plants. I was so tired from the night before, I dug until 9:30 as I wanted the plants to be fresh. I took 75 things, some were for my son, he was the one who gave the beautiful bud vases of the girls head and the flower dog. I wanted to have a good selection of plants so everyone got something they wanted. Next year you can always get on here and tell people what you are bringing and what you would like to have. Sometimes there is someone out there who has extra and they are willing to share them. (I wanted to make sure there were plenty of plants for people who wanted extra. In the fall (spring too) they have one in Columbus, it is fun to go there. I took some pictures but they were not very good, I will try to get them posted this week. I am leaving for 9 days in the Outer Banks on Saturday. I must get these plants and in the ground before then. Out mike wasn't working and we have a few things we may change next year but overall I thought it was great. One of the young girl was so happy, she is a new gardener and she said she had the best pile there. I told her everyone thought they had the best pile, each one was unique. One of the children was so excited, he got a yucca and he was so happy he had the biggest plant there. Every plant ended up gone, and everyone helped cleanup, it was such a good day. Thank you and your sister for coming and helping to make it such a success. Twila

Newbie_in_nj (and any others interested), the Fall Perennial Swap at Deep Cut Gardens is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 26, 10am-2pm; it is a free program. Houseplants are also exchanged at the fall swap. Deep Cut Gardens, the horticultural park of the Monmouth County Park System, is located at 152 Red Hill Road, in Middletown, NJ, just 1.7 miles from Garden State Parkway Exit 114. 732-671-6050 if you need more info. FYI, other programs coming up in September are: 9/12 10-12 Vegetable Gardening 101, Session # 4 9/12 1-3pm Fairy Houses in the Gardens 9/13 1-3pm Seed Collecting and Saving 9/19 12:30-3:30 Jersey Shore Rose Society 38th Annual Rose Show (free program) 9/20 12-4pm Bonsai Day (free program) 9/27 1-3pm Birds in the Winter Garden More information about these programs can be found on the web site www.monmouthcountyparks.com, or call the park at 732-671-6050. Don't feel bad, Newbie, the quirky weather this year made for some interesting, and sometimes downright disappointing, results in the garden. I had to look up your salvia greggii 'Flare'; what a lovely plant! If it didn't fare well this winter, it might do better in a protected location, such as against a south-facing wall. This past winter was not an easy one, either, with the sudden temperature fluctuations. (Most of my hydrangeas had to be cut back to about 12-18" above the ground, first time that has happened in the 20+ years they've been growing here.) If you do decide to put it up for adoption, I'm sure someone will take it home and try to nurse it back to health. All of coastal Monmouth County is rated as zone 7, so there should be plenty of potential suitable homes. Steve_nj - ONE of these days, I WILL make it to your plant swap! Things at the park just keep me so busy ... of course, I have no one but myself to blame, since I'm the one who plans and schedules the programs. Thank you for posting pictures - it's great to at least see those! Wishing you a great fall swap again this year. Diane

I had such a blast at the swap, only sorry I didn't get to actually meet or talk with everyone! I think a few escaped that. :) I was especially glad to see the newbies and some old gardening friends. I learned that Nana and I were at our first Plant Swap like 10 years ago, it was held at the Lewisville School District Outdoor Learning Center, it was also about the same time I met Carrie, I think. I went home with less than I took, which was my goal...Still came back with more than I had planned. Pictures will be posted in the Gallery when I get my hands on them. My friend Kelly took 75 photos so I'll have to go through them and pick the best ones to post. Thank You everyone! Its you guys who make it such a good swap! OK get your goodies planted and plan your propagation for the Fall Swap.