For as long as I have been growing I have never been to a formal plant swap. Can you tell me how it works, what to expect and not expect?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim,
First, take out the idea of "formal".
This is just fun. Dig up your plants, like you are dividing them. Try to include labels. You can pot them, bring them bare rooted(don't let them dry out), in plastic grocery bags, whatever. Bring as much or as little as you have to spare. Expect to receive a similar amount as what you bring. You may get more or less, depending on how much everyone else brings.
Traders usually arrive and unload plants, start talking, and looking at all the varieties. You can make trades right away or when everyone is ready, you just go around and pick up the plants you want.
If there is something you wanted that disappears too fast, try to find out who brought it, and chances are, you can arrange to get some from them for something from your garden. It was always just a great deal of fun, sharing gardening stories, and plants, and ideas when I ran the show. By the way...I started the Hibernia plant swap,many year ago.
Nina

I'm so sorry I'm going to miss this event. I'm out of town until May 1st. It's just down the road from where I love and would love to attend. Oh well-maybe next time.