I too would be happy to pay postage if no one in your area comes forward. My story is that at my previous home, over the years that I lived there,I purchased, traded, was given and gave away many, many plants and seeds. Much of these were from rare plants and most of my plants where not seen in your typical garden. Since moving out to the country, I am kicking myself for not taking cuttings, bulbs or seeds from my favorite plants. I had the most wonderful varieties of species tulips, the smaller extremely fragrant daffodils (earlicheer and more). Azalea Hilda Niblets which were my all time favorites among many other varieties of azaleas. I had Dog's Tooth Violet, perennial geraniums, rare tulips and a unique variety of the large cupped daffodils. Many, many varieties of fragrant hosta's, Daphne Burkwoodi (sp), Princes Diana Rosebush, an extremely fragrant honeysuckle for which I do not know the name of, ornamental lilies, a beautiful ornamental weeping tree, and too many more plants and shrubs to list. We are here in the beautiful country with no plants at all. It is apparent that the person who owned this home prior to us did not like to garden. Our home would be much improved if we could add some splashes of color around it. It sure would brighten my days for sure! Thank you! :)

I like my garden close to the house for all the reasons you listed. I would mow the area as close to the ground as possible and start piling on the organic matter. Some people like to start with a layer of newspaper or cardboard. I wouldn't put a garden in where morning glories have grown and seeded, no matter what method I chose. If you turn the soil, you will just scatter the seed. Try to smother them and they will come up when you dig your planting holes. I hope its not too late in your area to collect leaves and grass clippings. Straw and spoiled hay are also good to pile up. I don't turn my heaps, but I do lift them periodically so that they don't sour. A garden close to the house is easier to tend and harvest. You can keep it damp (keep a dishpan in your sink) with your kitchen water, and bury your scraps and peelings in your heaps this winter. good luck! jc

vnginger, I'm so sorry that I didn't get your email! I don't know what's going on with gardenweb lately. No emails get through and they wiped out my trade list months ago, too. Since there are 2 of the terrariums, I could give Kathy one of them and give you the other, if that would be ok with her? Or else I'll look and see if I have something similar at the house to bring for you. I won't have internet access tonight or tomorrow, though, so I'll have to assume it will work out for the best. I know she also wanted hummingbird feeders and I'll be bringing some of those for her. I'm also going to bring some regular hummingbird feeders for the general trade - I've decided to give up on feeders for hummingbirds, as I can't seem to attract them. So I'm getting rid of not only the fancy glass ones I bought at Pike's and posted photos of, but also the regular ones with the red plastic feeder ports. I have 2 of those to bring, one of which I think is sort of nice, except that it needs a new plastic bottle (any sort of shampoo or soap bottle can work). And I found a few other things to bring, including a very large, very sturdy macrame plant hanger. This thing was made by someone probably in the 60's, it is a dark orange color with some large beads incorporated in the macrame. It looks like it can hold a very large and heavy plant, for someone who's into things from that era. Also I dug up a piece of a miniature hosta that I don't know the name of, but it's a pretty golden yellow color, and a small division of arum italicum, and found a couple of pots of creeping raspberry (groundcover). Also potted a volunteer coneflower (probably pink) and volunteer blackeyed susans, and a yellow variegated vinca. These things will all have to go into the general trade since I won't have email tonight or tomorrow. Debbie

Sue, WS is the way to go. Yes the Calif. poppies are not as they where described by the seed Co. Pretty and I like them but was expecting the bright purple and real white as was described. Guess we shouldn't believe the descriptions that they give us. Have quite a few plants now that aren't blooming the color described. Wish they would be more honest with us though. My cosmos where really tall too, but todays storms have knocked them down and some stems have broken off. Saves me from a bit of pruning, so can't complain about that. Just wait till the fall, when it cools just a bit. They will take off like rockets and be the real star of the gardens till the frost gets them and you will have lots of seeds for trades and WS next year. Forgot to move my nasturtiums out of the full sun, so lost a few of them, but the rest are doing fine. My gazania are in a pot an just saw some buds on them. Strange leaves on them, have you noticed that if the leaves twist a bit they have a real "wrong side to them"? Greening, glad those vinca got in. I remember you originally said you wanted about 50 of them. Mine are blooming again. I complained last week that I missed seeing the lavender flowers on them and said to my daughter, "they must miss the car tires going over them." She went out and moved her car right over them out on the street then, drove over them again and came back. Low and behold, they are blooming again. Must be those car tires they need to bloom. No blooms on my 4 o'clocks either yet but are really large in pots. Moved them last week to be beside some roses and hibiscus because I saw some Jap beetles on them. Few holes in the 4 o'clock leaves but no more japanese beetles. I find the combo works every time. Still have poppies blooming including the calif. ones. Will be interested to see if these rebloom all summer. My yellow calif. ones have done this every year for the past 3 years. This is my first time with the other ones though. They make lots of seeds so watch for their pods. They look like long giant needles. Just wait till the pods are all brown and dry. Then take them off and let them finish drying inside and pop them open. The seeds are small but easy to get, not like regular poppies that have the tiny little things and some are like dust. Still have seedlings if anyone is interested and alot more iris for the digging and taking. Fran