That was Spring 2010, Laura, and the person who said she'd have it at her house decided at the last minute (24 hours before the swap) she couldn't do it so it was held at a park in Longmont!

Thanks for the memories!

We obviously can't have a swap this spring, but, "this too shall pass," and we'll be back in the Swapping Business! If people are starting to suffer from Swap Withdrawal, I think somebody could start a thread for "advance planning" for a fall swap for this year. We could always "make adjustments" as the summer goes on--depending on what happens with the Covid 19! I'm sure we're all hoping the world will be a safe place to be again by then!

Skybird

Maybe for those wanting to swap we could have porch pick ups?

I think that was my first swap. Thanks for the memories, Laura!

I'm climbing onto my soap box now!

The current stay at home order issued by the governor doesn't appear to allow for porch pick ups.

Stay at home order:

I hate to be kill-joy, but as someone who is both attempting to care for elderly, at risk parents from a distance and living with an essential energy sector employee who still has to go to work, I think maybe we should all re-read the order. The coming weeks are critical in controlling the spread. The less going out and about we do now, the quicker we can all get back to normal.

We are getting mixed messages, blurring the lines on what is essential. O'Toole's closed. The Flower Bin in Longmont is open, allowing in person shopping and offering call in, curbside service. Tagawa Gardens is open only for pre-order, curbside pickup and delivery. Obviously, we aren't under martial law, but I'm going to err on the side of caution and work with what I have on hand here.

Stepping off of my soap box now!

I start more tomatoes, peppers and eggplants than I can use each spring and I know many of you do, too. Some are earmarked for the swap and some go to co-workers. I'll plan on that still happening at some point and up-pot my extras as they grow. Maybe we'll get the all clear in 2 weeks or a month from now so we can swap then. Let's hope for that. If not, the fall swap is going to be epic!

Barb

Barb,

I agree with you. After I posted the suggestion regarding porch pick ups I thought that it probably wasn't a good idea. Stay at home means stay at home and in particular stay in your neighborhood. I shouldn't have suggested it.

Cheers!

mmmm, I didn't intend to scold and hope I didn't make it sound that way, just suggesting an alternate view.

Learning to live in our new reality has really been a challenge. Gardeners are a resourceful lot and we will come through this!

Cheers to you, too!

Hey everyone,
In case you really need some Ag supplies, City Floral is doing curbside pick-ups if you email them. Other places that are open, do sell lots of vegetables. Please, don't take this the wrong way, I am not encouraging you to go out in public. I just wanted to throw it out as an option. My fiancee works at Home Depot and they still have lots of people/families coming in and browsing which I don't think is safe or smart. I wish you all good health. This too shall pass. I can't wait to see you all again.

We will miss the swap for sure.

Most folks who don't grow from seed are going to be in a tough spot.

Has anyone else noticed some seeds selling out?

That's us. No seeds started, no gear to do so. Will have to hope we score some starter plants at the hardware store later in the season.

Jerry, yes quite a few of my regular sources are out of seeds or doing limited business. I got most things that I wanted and then some but have not been able to get a couple types of basil I usually grow. Glad I ordered most of my stuff a while back and had a supply of leftover seed.

Fortunately Mmmm, unless you afford them special protection and attention, most warm season plants don't go in the ground until June, or nearly so so, that gives time for things to start looking a bit better for buying starts. None of my eggplant seeds germinated so I will probably end up trying to buy those as well (or just go without, wouldn't be the end of the world). I have to admit I bought seed potatoes last time I was Tractor Supply. Probably not "essential" but I was there for dog and chicken food, which was.

Zach, prior to finding this group we always bought started plants at the hardware strore. We will go back to that this year. The thing I will miss is all the exotic (to us) varieties that we got at the swap. I really enjoyed trying new things in both veggies and yard plants. Jerry's yellow early zucchini, Purple Cherokee Tomato and basil are all thing we had never tried and now really love.

We have a very thick mat of Fire Spinner ice plant that has expanded and looks gorgeous. Can't wait to see it flower.

We also have all those gorgeous iris's that appear to have all taken root and lived. Don't know if we will get flower from them this year as they get established but are really pleased that they all seem to have taken root.

Then there are all the gorgeous long stemmed phlox (that I didn't even know existed) and Shasta Daisies are coming up.

I was thinking of trying hosta's this year. Popmama did a nice job persuading me last year. In addition we got to see some mature plants at another member's house that were planted under a tree and I have been doing myself a disservice in not planting them.

mmmm I'm glad the Irises are doing well. I can't wait to go see the hill. The tulips were coming up and the iris was just waking up. I wish I could have done some weeding, but I was happy to see some of the new additions coming up. Maybe I can give you some of my tomato plants next month if I can keep them all alive. I collected seeds from a few of my plants from last year including the currant tomatoes which were a fun surprise to learn and grow them.

I remember that swap! I think that was my first one, too, Treebarb. It was a fun place to have it - love the jungle gym shot!

I too was thinking maybe we could do a virtual swap with porch pickup, but understand it may not be completely abiding by the stay-at-home order. I personally think the most important thing people should do is wear masks and gloves, and social distance, when out in public - stores, work, etc. And of course, staying at home if you are sick. We all do need to go out at least occasionally for essentials, so adding an extra stop during those trips to pick up a few plants from fellow RMGer porches I don't think is harmful. BUT I do respect the intent of order and we certainly don't need to do this now, and can instead look forward to having a swap maybe in the summer!!

My Butterfly Weed seedlings are doing really well! I'm going to start hardening them off starting tomorrow and will keep tending to them until we can swap one way or another :)

If need be, maybe we can find some creative costumes to wear like one of my neighbors - protective and fun!

I know this is O.T. but I do know a backyard farmer who sells starter plants at his home every year. I am sure he will be selling this year too. He generally has some more interesting varieties.

https://www.theirishhomefarm.com/