If you haven't already found this thread, check it out, it's got alot of great info:tt

"Attention Newbies: Please read"

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3371179/attention-newbies-please-read?n=147

Including some tech help to help get your personal pages set up, messagings, etc

NO Newbie questions? I find that hard to beleive...I think you are all too shy to post! :)

The best way to send seeds: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3717426/newbies-and-others-the-best-way-to-send-seed-trades?n=3

Another helpful link.

Rodney

Bump.

Hum

I have questions

Where does the white go when the snow melts?

Hehe

Trades?

Bulbs and bulbis count as seed?

Hi. I am a newbie I came looking for fellow gardeners and to find a seed swap.

Thanks shawn,

I'm on the road today. Appreciate your stepping in to help!

Bill, I think bulbs count more than seeds but in the end, it is whatever 2 parties agree on. ;0)

Have a great day everyone

Thank you!

your welcome val and grace

I am still new here I only been here for about a month and a half (Newbie also)

I am just catching on to everything sometimes is discouraging and might take time stick with it will be alot of fun. (we were all newbies at one time)

I recieved seeds from the newbie threads but just did my first actual trade 2 weeks ago. And have done about 3 more since then.

How I did it was I went and purchased seeds that I saw what members wanted by researching there want list and messaged the active members (active member meaning they have posted or commented lately with in the past 3 months) but made sure it was something I would like to plant also.I took some seeds out of the package of seed I bought for me to plant. and then posted the rest for trade it seems like that gets more trades. So now the seeds that I bought will not go to waste and I also get something new by trading them away.Plus I listed the ones I already had extra and also from Newbie seeds which I did not want.

The Newbie threads are to get us started but it is not all on them thats why the members ask us to post seeds that we have or need to purchase and list them for trade on our profile and post before they will offer the seeds to us.

There newbie offers gives us something new to plant and helps us to start trading also to show that we are not just here for there seed offers.

How to do your trade list and start your messaging look at 3rd posting above this one

OP- means original poster/creator of the post/thread-main heading of the page

GH-means greenhouse

SASE-means self-addressed-stamped-envelope

SASBE-means -self-addressed-stamped-bubble-envelope

PM-means-private message

Just make sure if you see a post/thread with SASE or SASBE that it is still offered I always look threw the posted thread to see when the original poster/creator of the thread posted/responded last on the thread. (days/weeks/or years)

Greatly appreciate the veterains for offering the seeds to newbies but rule of thumb DO NOT call them free seeds or ask for free seeds.

(Just a hint the more you can trade to 1 person is better makes it worth the postage)

(for example 5 different items with around 20-25 seeds each for small seeds. But only trade what you want to get rid of. This was just a example but alot depends on size if you purchased them and how many came in a pack or if you grew it yourself.Larger seeds would be less quantity vs. seeds you grew yourself you would be more generous)

always let your trader know quantities of each item you will trade them.

HOW TO SEND SEEDS

Let your trader know how you are sending the seeds there are several different ways you can send them

1. You can use a bubble envelope this is the most expensive way to send your seeds to cut cost try to reuse bubble envelopes that are sent to like when you purchased seeds from somewhere (walmart has them for $0.58 with tax) then postage which is more than a $1.00 to send this way is good for big big orders)

2. You can use a regular envelope with some sort of padding over the seeds I use bubble wrap (some use foam) this cost $0.71 in postage so all together with cost of everything with envelope and all it cost total of $1.00 or less

These 2 ways your envelope you are sending DO NOT go threw a machine

3. You can just put them in a envelope and postage cost $0.50 for postage and cost of envelope total cost $0.63 but this way the envelope goes threw a machine run a chance of seeds getting damaged.(there are ways to protect them this way if it is a small order with cardboard and padding of some sort)

So the number 2 way is the best way to go for a few extra cents there is no problems with seeds getting damaged but check with your trader

Think seeds are a investment think of all the seeds you are getting for that little bit of postage normally you can not buy a 1 pack of seeds for under a $1.00 unless you go to the dollar store

Also let the trader know when you sent the item and when you received there item.They will do the same for you.

((Last but not least do not be scared to post on threads and have fun )) :) :)

Thanks for your help it is different in format here, but I will try to stick with it I am trying to branch out other than Facebook these days, and I need new ideas for gardening when I say gardening, I mean my flowers I have a hard time keeping the deer away

I lost almost everything and had to start over with plants and flowers I was so excited to see a Peony sticking her head up from the flower pot today I think that is my only one I am going to buy a beautiful white one

when I have the time, I am going to upload some pics of a flower someone sent me seeds for many years ago I cannot find it because I don't remember the name

Great info, Shawn that answers number of questions! Thanks for taking the time to post all that excellent info!

bump

bump

bump

bump

Hi. Def a newbie. Having trouble planning how many seeds of each vegetable to plant. Is there a rule of thumb? Or just put them out, see what you get, and then adjust your needs next year?

There is no one true answer for that question

Instead

Ask yourself these questions

How many ppl am I trying to feed

What will I do with the extra if I grow to much

How much time and space do I have available

What are the light and water requirements for each thing I'm trying plant

Will I have time for harvest

Hi Jayna,

Always plant more seeds than you want, as there are several things that can happen along the way. You can always make room or give away the extras if it comes to that. Think about how much you will eat...You may only want a 2-3 squash plants, for instance, (need more than one to polinate) because they take alot of room.

I think it's also a learning experience. You might grow 5 cuke plants and find that they went to town and now you have tons of cukes that your family can't eat (again, people are always happy to get free produce, so you can share); but to maximize the space in your garden to grow what you want, you sort of have to figure out what veggies you like best, how much room they will take, and experiment the first year. Looking forward to hearing how your garden goes this year!

Corn takes a lot of space and a lot of water. I don't bother growing corn--I just buy it when it's in season.

I always grow peas--not for the peas. I pick the pods and eat them like a stir fry. I have fence along the back of my yard where I can grow pole beans so they maximize the space. I tried potatoes one year and they were good, but I didn't get many and I wished I had grown something else. I also don't grow onions because of space and they are inexpensive to buy. Tomatoes are my #1 priority. I want a couple different varieties. My kids like cherry tomatoes so I grow those.

Melons and squash take a lot of water and space, too. Maybe you can utilize a fence. I'm going to try that this year. My experience with cukes is not great so this year I'm planting more seeds to make sure I get some! For those that take a lot of water it can be helpful to have the plants close together with an edging around it, like cross section of plastic pipe, to keep the water at the base of the plant.

I have trouble pulling a plant up. So often the seed package says to plant 5 and thin to the strongest seedling. That feels so wrong. I know it's my problem--I'd have a healthier garden if I only kept the robust babies! But they're my babies! LOL

Thank you all for the great answers!

I will always plant more than I need just for seeds and to also giveway to friends and family also can sell at local farmers market and can also give it to your local food bank.You never know because of animals pest and diseases if you might loose somethings you plant so for the price of seeds and with doing trades always better to plant more of things you really like.Then dwindle it down by items that you are growing to your least you would like alot of.I know its hard cause we like them all but it also depends on room you have and how much time you have to dedicate to it. I hope this helps

Last year the rain here was incredible. I had to replant my veggie garden alone, 3 times. it's always better to plant more than you need. Believe it or not, send the spares to a retirement home. There are tons of people there that can actually garden but cannot leave or get out to go get the plants. I always send my leftovers to the nursing homes. Just a thought.

bump

Bump.

bump

bump

bump