This was a great thread to read after having moved back in the summer - some very good advice. I was very conflicted about moving but I think it was clear to me that moving the garden wasn't going to happen. As it was I did take well over 100 perennials I potted up as they emerged in the spring (they were mostly splits of plants that really needed it). To be honest this was really too much...I spent a whole week moving car loads of plants before and after work and was already completely exhausted from moving the house. The new tenant at the place asked the landlord if she could contact me about the garden but in the end I said no. Of course a big part of me wanted to still be involved with that garden but I knew I needed to make a clean break and focus on my new garden. This fall I planted about 1300 bulbs and cant wait to see them if this winter ever ends.

POSTING HERE AND WILL E-MAIL ALL THAT I SENT DIRECTIONS TO ABOUT THE DATE CHANGE FOR THE SWAP NEW DATE IS: SUNDAY JUNE, 4, 2006 TIME AND LOCATION ALL IS THE SAME. Now, I've finished potting up all the seedlings, hundreds of them from WS, here is the list. rose campion lychnis angel's blush assorted dward snapdragons assorted cosmos california poppy purple gleam and white annual poppies perennial poppies morning glory 4 0'clocks assorted bachelor buttons mixed toadflax lobelia crystal palace lobelia trailing saphire lupins, blue and cherry red gazania mixed colors baslam impatiens nasturtium jewel mix sweet alyssum tall alyssum nicotiana alata probably some I missed righting down Also have 2 large sedum, unknown variety that look really beautiful to start then they flop over and the center is bare. will dig out if anyone wants them. a very small hosta I have to dig out. plenty of lily of the valley I can dig out. spreading into my flower bed I believe they are bright purple siberian iris, again spreading into my flower bed. Not sure it's the right time to dig them out, but they have been here for 26 years, planted by the prior owners. Can dig them out if anyone wants some. especially the ones in the flower bed. forsythia branches, all you want that I can cut fresh. 3 potted up pussywillow bushes that may or may not root. A friend just left with me the following and she will be here at the swap. fresh dug up chives, oregano black eyed susan bleeding heart vinca minor And a neighbor will be coming with vegetable seedlings. REMEBER THE SWAP IS NOW SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Fran

Hi Kathy, Welcome to GW and so glad I've been able to help you. You are more than welcome to come to the swap with or without plants, seedlings. Believe me when I say there will be plenty of seedlings for the taking. And please bring your friend from Billerica as well. I only start my seeds outside with the WS method. Gave up trying indoors years ago because I never had any luck that way. Now, I have tons and tons of seedlings to plant. This year the seedlings are no doupt going to be smaller than usual because the weather has been so crazy, so don't worry about how small yours are. Sweet peas from a novice gardener? There a several of us that want to know the secret you have. I've been trying for years and this is the first year I've had any seeds germinate from the vining kind. Reminders of the swap will be on the thread on the exchange page. I posted the link for it above. As for what to bring, you can decide yourself and just let others know what you are going to bring on the new thread on the exchange page. We will all be out in the gardens digging and potting stuff up for the swap. One simple thing to use to pot things up with is styrofoam cups. I use the 8 oz and 12 oz size and you can label them by writing on the cup as well. Then they can be reused for next year. See you posting on the new thread. See the link above for the thread or just click on the exchange link at the top of the page. Fran

I bought my little paw paws from this site on e-bay: dogwooderitternet (you can do a 'google' to find him). I also purchased a number of other butterfly nectar and host plants from him (liatris ligustylus, spicebush, different asclepias, etc.). This seller is very nice to deal with and his plants are very well priced. I find it easier to buy from him rather than to schlep around to all the nurseries (since Earthscapes closed). I understand that wafer ash is quite a common tree in the woods (one nurseryman called it a 'junk tree' to my face!) so if you can ID one, you can probably find it in the woods somewhere. My problem is trying to ID one! Also, the Midwest Native Plant Society is having a Native Plant sale this Saturday July 25, OPEN to the PUBLIC, and I bet they will have some along with lots of other interesting Butterfly garden plants. I believe reservations to the conference (for the whole conference or/and different events) are still available and they will be having lots of good speakers, including Judy Burris and Wayne Richards on Buterfly Gardening. Here is a link that might be useful: Native Plant Society Dayton Conf. flyer and info