Sandra, It is the forum's once-a-year family reunion. We all bring whatever extra plants or seeds we want to get rid of and everyone brings a covered dish for lunch. Each person or family attending also kicks in a couple of bucks by dropping it into a can or bucket in order to pay for the porta-potty and the main meat dish that Paula and Ken provide.

Ours is not normally a formal swap where one person trades another person one of "these" for one of "those", although anyone who wishes can have that as a requirement if they wish. We do it in a more informal way. All of those who have extra plants or seeds to exchange just line them up in the designated area and then everyone who needs plants walks along and looks at everything and picks up what they (A) want, (B) need and/or (C) cannot resist.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the door prize exchange simply brings a door prize (it can be anything and we've had all kinds of gardening supplies, home-produced eggs, home-produced goat's milk, plants, garden-related crafts, home-made gardener's soap scrub, etc. in past years). Everyone gets a ticket and when your ticket number is called, you get the next prize being handed out.

We pack a lot of fun into a few brief hours. Somehow we manage to give away our excess plants, eat lunch chit-chat, talk, meet one another and get a face to put with the people we "know" online, and do the door prize exchange. Paula and Ken have the perfect location in central OK and have very graciously hosted us for quite a few years now. Prior to that we usually had the plant swap at Will Rogers Park for quite a few years.

There's also a table for pre-arranged swaps, where you can put a plant, clearly labeled with its recipient name, and the person for whom you brought that specific plant can find it on that table.

The Spring Fling/Plant Swap is more fun that you can even imagine. People come from all over the state, which is why a central location is of the utmost importance.

I hope you can attend. It is a simply wonderful event. If you are a shy, quiet person you can just quietly walk around, pick up plants, etc. If you are rowdy and outgoing, you can meet people and talk and be the life of the party. There's room for everyone at this event and it is simply the most fun ever. Kim drives all the way from west TX in order to attend, and Sherri drives from far NW OK. Anything that can get people to drive that far for just a few hours of fun is a special event, and trust me, this is a very special event.

The best part? If you are brand new to gardening, or maybe you're starting over with a new house/yard/garden etc., and have nothing to bring to share, come anyway. We'll send you home with all the plants you can carry and we know that in future years, you'll be bringing stuff to give away too. Everyone is welcome, and we usually have so many plants in need of homes that we are begging people to take them home so that Paula and Ken don't end up with hundreds of orphaned plants that are left behind after we all head home.

Dawn

What FB group are some of you in?

The urge to exercise option (C) is sometimes overpowering! You have been warned!!!

Oklahoma Gardening Network, Oklahoma Plant Swap and Oklahoma Frugal Gardening plus about 150 others for me.

All - I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" but I'm limiting the invite list to members of this forum only. The first FB page listed above has over 2,000 members and there's just no way that we (as in myself and Ken) can open this up to the multitudes. We'd need to reserve the State Fairgrounds and I don't think any of us have the time or energy to organize something THAT large.

Hope you all can understand my position.

I'm pretty new around these parts, p_mac, but that seems to make sense to me! :)

Yeah, no kidding, what FB page is this group on?

Paula, I'm glad you cleared that up. There has been some discussion in some of the groups, but I think most are pretty clear that it's a forum function. Other than encouraging others to look at joining the forum, there will be no details of this event on either of the ones I admin.

*Edit

To further eliminate possible confusion, I deleted the entire topic on the OFG group.

Can't wait! I attended one or two years ago, but driving from Tulsa limited my attendance. Now that I'm in OKC, I should be able to come.

It's just a nice stretch of the legs for me. New year new vehicle no water leaks!!!

That's awesome Kim!

Paula, I totally understand. I secretly hope to host it one day in the future.

Oh, my, the third possible thing to do THAT day... Prolly won't make it. :(

Moni

Wait!! Hold on a minute. There are other forums??? Oklahoma Gardening Network, Oklahoma Plant Swap and Oklahoma Frugal Gardening? What? Where are these at? Guess it is time to Google. I am all about some frugal home gardening.

Scott, the are Face Book Groups.

Oh Moni...

: (

Oh. I still do not have a facebook.

i would love to make it this year. My swap plants will be limited but I would like to put a face to all the names.

Yay!

stockergal, the first time I went was year before last. Being fairly new to the forum and with my shy nature, I had concerns about attending. I can assure, you with this bunch, it was an easy transition into feeling like I was one of the group.

Talked the other, (some say better) half into attending last year and she came away commenting about how much fun it was interacting with the group. I've lost count of the number of times, she's ask when is that spring fling thing, over the last few weeks. My only concern is she may tell some of my secrets and really destroy what tiny bit of integrity I might have with this group!

I brought a friend last year. Is that still okay?

YEA!!!! Thanks Paula and Ken

We were newbies last year so can't wait to attend again this year. The dog Birdie will be coming again too. She can't wait to play ball with chicken coops kids!!!!

We had a great time and brought home lot of plants and made new friends!!

Want to stay at a hotel a little closer this time. Now we know where we are going!!

I have to wonder if mystery guest will come again.

Well, it won't be a Spring Fling if the mystery guest doesn't stop by.

OK for us newbies who is mystery guest? I was there last yr. Were they there?

Or guess if its a mystery were not supposed to know??

They were there. Husband brought wife, isn't that right? They live fairly close to the event.

If I was driving by a place and saw a lot of people there, I'm not sure I'd automatically think "yard sale" and stop to see what they have, Sorie, but I kind of assume that is what happened the first year our mystery guest stopped by. Wouldn't they have been embarassed if they learned it was something like a family reunion, cookout or birthday party???? Last year, I guess they felt like part of the family by that point and both stopped in to see what we had.

Last year was my first time to attend and it was really fun. Even my reserved hubby enjoyed it and picked up a couple of things. I belong to a couple of FB groups; Oklahoma Gardening Network and a newer group, Oklahoma Frugal Gardening (thanks, Bruce!) If you see Ciruela del Arena/CarolBuchanan, that's me.

...and thank you, Paula!

I think this is about 8 years for me and the first one I attended was in the park and people just kept coming in and taking what they wanted and walking out. It was weird. It is much better at Paula's house although we have had a few mystery guests. Paula, you know I will be there, right?

That would be weird with multiple mystery guests. The funniest part was we were encouraging him to take as much as he wanted. We thought he was one of us. We'll I guess he is..

.I made him take all those unclaimed garden books I had brought. Good times

Welcome, sandplum! I've been completely amazed at how well the group has gone over. I even got approached about the group and the idea behind it being written about in the local paper.

okoutdrsman....what is this SHY nature of which you speak? As I recall, you had no problem carrying your weight in conversations!
LOL.... :)
Sharon

I am sooo excited! Almost as excited as getting my onion order! I have been listening to you guys since I moved to Oklahoma in 2009;and just to put names to faces....I cannot tell you what that means. I am digging and potting comfrey this weekend. I was going to keep some, but with the talk of eminent domain, and the threat of loosing the house, I am only keeping one and spreading the wealth. I am in the Newalla-Choctaw-Harrah corner, so if any help is needed, seriously let me know. I have no class, no trips, and I am forgetting about work for that one day. Seriously, let me know what help is needed.

I am shy too.

I just joined & was searching around. I love gardening. New to forum & thinking about attending after reading all the posts.

I hope this long standing, lurk more than post, member is still allowed to come. I may be inspired to bring another painted garden treasure like last year. With my current workload, this may be the only way I get tomatoes and peppers in the ground this year (!). My okiedawn plants served us well last year. I have managed to plant Dixondale onions, some carrots and radishes so far so it hasn't been a total bust of a garden season to date. We've also created a new blackberry bed which seems to be doing well. I bought a vintage "girly" iron headboard with plans to make a "bed" in my day lilly garden. We'll see if my vision turns out or not. lol P-Mac, if i miss the signup thread, please ping me to get my attention. Too many irons in the fire with starting up a side business. Can't wait to see everyone again!

Sharon- I just cover my shyness, fairly well!

Really Kim? I never noticed!

I know it's way early to throw out feelers on what we might encounter in the way of swap, give-away or door prizes. But, I heard Comfrey! Might be interested in a few Castor Beans?

The plants I picked up last year, didn't get stuck in the ground for quite some time, due to finalizing plans for building an ark. They ended up being lifesavers!

I saw someone brought some row cover hoops last year, as a door prize, I believe. If there is any interest, I have a bunch and can form a lot more.

Count me in for hoops. I know this isn't the official three but I am so excited. Probably will drive in the morning of due to all day training in Amarillo, Yuk. 4 hours is nothing to me since I do it monthly to go to Denton.

carsons_mini It's not the same when you aren't there, so I'm glad we are in your plans this year.

Oh wow, apparently I have been MIA over here for a few weeks. Yay!! I hope I wasn't the the originator of the mention on FB ! I think I did briefly mention to someone that I could bring plants to the fling.

Bruce...hhahaha, I do remember we had to encourage you a little...but look at you now!

Carol...I already have the cornbread salad recipe pulled up.:)

Yes, Lisa, I think it was you and Paula, and then seems like Jo all ganged up on me! At the time, I was heavily involved with two outdoor related forums that took a lot of time and energy to keep up with. One has since shut down and the other has become a little more focused in a different direction than I wanted to go. FB has been the demise of several forums over the last few years. I've enjoyed it, but the no-filter thing wears on me at times.

And no, I don't think either of us was responsible for originating the concern over the Spring Fling. As a safety precaution, I cleaned up the discussion after it came up in one of the groups, I admin. It's come up a couple of times since, but I've tried to tactfully explain that the Fling is a forum function, without making it sound like we are an unfriendly bunch. I don't think I've interacted with a more welcoming bunch of people in my life.

As a gardener I feel like I'm still light years behind, but I can guarantee, I'm way ahead of where I was, with the help of this bunch!

So, for those that had to gang up on me, Thank You!

While I'm tempted to prepare one of my more interesting wild game dishes, I may take the safe way out!

Unless we run into a conflict with grandkid's ball tournaments, the other (some say better) half will be attending, also.

Thanks Carol. I may not be as active posting on the group but I think about everyone very often. In fact, hubby said this week (while planting onions) "I hope we can get some more plants from Okiedawn this year". I told him she just might be able to spare an extra plant or two. He loves those Biker Billy's and yummy tomatoes.

Lisa, I did the happy dance at the mere thought of your cornbread salad again this year. That just screams spring fling to me. Very happy dance!

I also want to thank our gracious hosts. It just wouldn't be the same anywhere else! Please call on me to help with any extra needs before the shindig! Looking forward to seeing everyone again this year.

okoutdrsman, I would like to put my name in for hoops! I've never used row covers, but I think I'm ready. I want to extend my growing season.

There may or may not be some row covers in the door prize category....I'm still cleaning out the garden shed. After having to take a break last year - I'm discovering I'm truly an addict with all I've the "stuff" I've found out there.

Lisa - I'm glad to know that cornbread salad is already on the menu!!! I can eat it this year!!!!

You all are just the best group EVER! You make it so fun to host. How could anyone not look forward to this gathering?!? The sign-up thread will be posted some time this week. Do we have a limited on posts here? I think it was 164 when we were on iVillage but I don't recall if this format has a limit.

Paula

Hoops and row covers....sounds like the greatest gift ever - hoping to get/win at least one :-D
Sharon

okiedawn. thanks for all that great info, it sounds really great !! but where will located, town, address. that info ..I'm near durant close to the red river. I'm still learning oklahoma. lol

Sandra, it is held close to Norman, so south of OKC. All the details will be sent via email so that it isn't posted publicly. :)

thank you Lisa :-)

I am extremely interested in the swap!!! I'm very, very new to this and I've read about these swaps. I love close to Norman AND it hasn't passed!!! (I always get in on things way too late) How do I get on the email list for the details?

Jessica, At some point, Paula will post a Spring Fling thread that you can respond to in order to let her know you're coming. This thread is more of a heads-up that the Spring Fling planning is in the works, and the sign-up thread will come along later. This allows people to mark their calendars early so they don't miss the event.

Dawn

Just popping in to say Hiiiiii to all my GW friends and hope to see y'all again this year! Sprout keeps me running my legs off but I've managed to get six bunches of Dixondale onions in the ground. I've acknowledged that the price of a gardening assistant such as Sprout is that there will be a few casualties in the harvest. :) Luckily the onions seem to bounce back from his frolicking through them pretty well. He also "helps" to rake leaves and his favorite activity is "sorting" dirt from one pot to another - with liberal taste tests along the way.