Sorry you couldn't come Jim. I felt like we had a party at your house but you weren't there. ;)
Thanks for the use of all the facilities though. I think it was our biggest one yet. Just about every single spot in the whole parking lot (plus a couple) was full of traders. I only got around to meet about 3/4 or so.
I enjoyed Patrick's brug talk, it was very informative. We had bags & boxes of brug cuttings to give away thanks to him, Allison, & others. Everyone there went away with several.
I was bummed I didn't have time to get to the dahlia demo or the winter sowing table; I wanted to see both. I hope you'll consider a longer time frame for the next swap.
Thanks again, and we'll see you in the spring.

Hi Jim, thank you for the brugmansia. I saw my name in one of the pots and I went looking for you. sorry you were not there. You were missed. I gave your hostas to Patrick to be given to you. Like Tom I missed the winter sowing but was able to catch the dahlia demo. Pochella even gave me a dahlia tuber. See you in March.
Tita

You take care of that tuber, Tita. Don't let it freeze this winter and next August-November you'll be rewarded with whatever color you ended up with (red one, I think?)

It was another great Green Elephant but time went much too fast, as always. I want to thank the fine hostesses at the church and Jim for organizing such a fine event even when absent. And whoever brought the donut holes- man, they hit the spot!

I had a great time not even leaving the dahlia demo table for a minute (imagine that!) and my thanks go to Christine R. for her help answering questions/tutoring tuber cutting.

Since you're talking about dahlias, do I have to dig up my dahlia tubers from this past season and store them over the winter? This is my 2nd year in Bellevue and 1st year having planted dahlias. I'm from the San Francisco area, so I never had to dig anything up there. :-)

Sorry you couldn't be there, Jim. It was a great time! I'm looking forward to the spring swap already.
Now if only I can track down the guy in the van to the right of me who gave me the cool hydrangea, saying something about its being from India with a peach colored bloom.....there were so many conversations going on at once that I couldn't take it all in.

Pixie- put 'notebook and pen' on your list for the March Green Elephant. Those items and papertowels never fail to save the day. But best of all would be MORE TIME to spend taking names and notes of all things swapped.

Lucky Lawrence, if you're in run of the mill lowland Bellevue you should be able to leave your dahlias in if they are in well-draining soil and not at risk of drowning, like under a downspout or something. Mulch with leaves, fern fronds or straw to divert water and insulate and they should re-emerge next April/May. If you're higher up as on Cougar Mtn, and subject to more prolonged freezes, you would be safer digging them and storing in a garage or crawlspace that won't freeze.

They really are healthiest if you dig them every year or two- (less competition among the roots and fewer stems to support from a relatively small rootzone.) Plus the clumps of tubers just get unwieldy after 3+ years. That's my 2 cents and welcome to Western WA!

Jim,
You were missed! I'd never seen the parking lot so full, and we all had a good time. Thanks for organizing, and we'll see you in the spring.
-Janine

Jim,
It was a very nice trade and we missed you being there! There were so many people there and I was able to give away more then I brought home (a good thing!). Thanks for all the work that you did to set this up. It really shows.
Teresa

Jim, it WAS a little strange without you there, but you left the swap in very good & capable hands. I wasn't able to spend much time out in the (very full) parking lot, but it looked like there was a very good & orderly flow of activity. I agree with the recurring comments that now the swap is getting bigger & offering seminars, talks & demonstrations, 2 hours just isn't enough time. I know everyone will be extra happy to have you return next spring.

Patrick

Jim-
This was my first swap and I loved it! Will definitly be back in the spring. It would be wonderful to have more time, two hours just flew by!

Hi Jim, this was my first swap too, and I had a great time. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. I could definitely have used an extra hour to spend with everyone and also go to a couple of the talks and demos, too. Hope to see you in March!

Hi Jim, this was also my first swap, and I was very impressed with the location, the facilites and all the friendly gardeners!! Hope to meet you in March.

Y'all are too kind. It's your feedback that have grown the Green Elephant, from 32 people at the first swap 5 years ago, to well over 100 attending last week.

Jim