Hi everyone, I've received a question and a suggestion and thought it would be worth clarifying in this open forum. This swap is a surprise swap. I will be guided by your wish lists or preferences if you choose to send me that information, but I cannot guarantee anything. What you receive in return is completely dependant on the seeds that are sent in. Most of us that participate in exchanges love the element of surprise. I recognize that some do not, but those people would not typically participate in a group exhange like this. I was asked if I would be willing to create a public web page and post all of the seeds that have come in and people can pick and choose what they want. The simple answer is no. That's not the nature of this swap. Please understand that it takes a lot of work to compile the information and organize everything to manage a swap with this many people and I just cannot get involved in that kind of complicated work. I fully expect to be receiving at least 3000 seed packs that have to be managed. I work 12 hours a day on average, so I need to keep it simple for me at the moment. I have been involved in swaps like that in the past and I do not favour them personally. For the simple reason, that they often end up being a free for all and those that have the luxury of being on the computer at any time during the day, always end up getting first dibs on the more rare seeds. Not fair at all to those that work during the day and won't get to their computers until night. The folks that have limited computer access ultimately end up feeling disappointed and disadvantaged. I believe the swap can be handled fairer by taking into consideration everyone's wishes. I do my best to be fair and make sure you're getting a good selection. Compiling a wish list or even letting me know if there are seeds you do not want helps to guide me through the process. It's certainly a good idea, but it's an idea that's best implemented by someone else hosting another swap with a different theme. I hope this helps to clarify. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks....Heather

Hi crystabel I don't know about your watermelon question, but i will answer your tomato question. That was precisely my question a few years ago - "what the *&^% is a sucker?" Basically you want to make sure that your tomato plant grows straight up along one stem without branching out too much. Once the plant is about one or 1.5ft tall you will start seeing the suckers (perhaps 2-3 weeks after planting). Pay attention to the joint between the stem and the leaf branches (leaf nodes i guess) - you will see little leaves growing there - if you let them be, they will become a new branch. You want to just pinch them off, so that the plant focuses on growing straight up. Gosh, it's so much harder to explain - when it will take 2 seconds to point out what a sucker is. Good Luck. Try googling tomato suckers, you will find pictures i am sure.

I've grown both varieties in containers. 4th of July will be a little bit earlier when grown in containers because the container will keep the roots a little warmer early in the growing season. Actually, this works for any variety. Any kind of good mix will be great for the transplant from the germination beds. I use Miracle Grow Potting Mix for most of mine. There are a lot of formulas for what people put into the holes for growing tomatoes and peppers. Earl's Hole is one of those mixtures that has become popular. I'm sure someone here can link to it on this forum. Here's my basic approach. Always think about reducing "stress" for the plants. Try to transplant by moving the entire root system and the growing medium around those roots as a unit. Eliminate any kind of "extreme" environmental conditions - too much or too little water, heat, fertilizer, physical damage, etc. Avoid changing anything too quickly. Fast or extreme changes cause stress. After that, it's up to the plant. It's really just plain logic. You have a living entity (the plant) and you need to provide all its needs that will allow it to keep itself alive. It may sound a bit corny, but try to empathize with your plants. What would you want if you were being set out in the back yard? Ted

Try this one for the odds and ends: Preserving: End of the Garden Sweet Pickle Mix This recipe is from "Joy of Cooking Canning and Preserving." 4 medium ears of corn 1 pound young zucchini or cucumbers 8 ounces snap beans 8 ounces carrots 8 ounces cauliflower 8 ounces green and red bell peppers -- mixed 8 ounces pearl onions 8 cups water 1/2 cup canning and pickling salt 3 cups cider vinegar 3 cups white vinegar 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons celery seeds 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes 1/4 cup chopped basil Boil corn 5 minutes and cut from the cob. Wash, trim ends of zucchini or cucumber and cut into 1/4" slices. Wash, trim ends of beans and cut into 2-inch pieces. Wash, peel and cut carrots into 1/4" slices. Wash and cut cauliflower into 1-inch florets. Wash, core, and seed bell peppers. Cut into 2 x 1/2" strips. Wash and peel the pearl onions. Combine water and salt. Pour over all the vegetables. Submerge with a plate and place covered bowl in refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours. Drain vegetables. Do not rinse. Combine vinegars and spices in a large, deep skillet and boil gently for three minutes. Add vegetables and basil. Bring to a simmer over high heat, stirring often, until the largest, thickest pieces are thoroughly hot. Use a slotted spoon to pack the vegetables into hot pint jars. Add the hot vinegar solution, stirring to mix the seeds and chopped herbs. Leave 1/2" headspace and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Yield: 6 pints. There are also a number of options at the link. Carol Here is a link that might be useful: Vegetable Pickle Recipes