Alice, sounds like you have a "full plate" (and then some). I'm glad you are making good progress with your hip replacement. I just wish the news was as encouraging with Kenneth. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the both of you, and look forward to getting together on the 14th.

Take care, and a big "Thank You!" for your efforts on behalf of the swap.

Nelson

Please copy this and print it to share with gardening friends or paste it on your Facebook page -- and bring a dish, a chair, and some plants and come to Gadsden Saturday.

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To the gardeners of Alabama:

If you’ve never been to a plant swap, you’re in for a real treat. The Etowah County Master Gardeners invite you to exchange plants and other garden items, along with ideas, information, and fun conversation with people who share your love of gardening. You’ll find favorite pass-along-plants that you won’t see in local nurseries - things that have flourished in the heat and humidity and clay soils of Alabama gardens just like yours. Bring a dish to share for a covered dish lunch and visit after the swap.

Bring a friend, some plants, and a chair and join us:

Date: Saturday, May 14

Time: 10:00 a.m. – Gates open by 9:30 a.m.

Place: ECMGA Greenhouses, 3200 West Meighan Boulevard (behind the Etowah County Bd of Education), Gadsden, AL

The best part: it’s free and no money changes hands [unless you want to buy marked-down plants left from the recent MG plant sale]. Here’s how it works:

Load your car up with plants or other garden-related items to swap:

plants (potted and clearly labeled!)

seeds, bulbs

home grown fruits or vegetables

cuttings suitable for rooting

pots

garden ornaments, decorative rocks

gardening books, magazines

potting soil, soil amendments

When you get to the Master Gardeners’ property, pull through the gate, find a place to park inside the fence, and get a name tag from the table near the building.

Arrange the things you have brought on the ground by your vehicle. It’s a good idea to write your name on a sheet of paper and tape it where everyone can see who to look for if they spot something you have that they want to swap for.

That’s when the fun begins. Check out things other people have brought. If you find something you like, ask the person who brought it what they’d like that you brought and arrange to swap. Feel free to ask for information about a plant: How big will it get? Sun or shade? What color are the flowers? Gardeners love to tell you all about their plants.

As you gather your new goodies, be sure to put them in your vehicle or another place where people will know they are not available to swap.

Then, when the swapping is done, we’ll enjoy a good old-fashioned covered dish lunch! At least one MG is bringing a tray of subs and I’ll bring a big salad.

See you Saturday!

I will be there! I am bringing a dessert. Thanks for organizing this, Alice. I look forward to seeing all of you on Saturday!

Susan

I'm bringing 2 lbs. each of potato salad and sweet cole slaw, 24 bottles of water, 1 jar of Claussen pickle spears, salt & pepper shakers, 8-ea. forks/spoons/knives unopened from last swap, Wet Ones antibacterial wipes, a few plants....and me. Now to pack the car (ugh!).

Everyone please drive carefully!

I'll second what Susan said, and add a special "Thank You!" to Sunnita for the tray of subs, and especially Betty (Kenneth's sister) for her generosity in sharing his special collection of plants. Many are rare and/or endangered in the wild.

I have been able to ID most of the ones I brought home, and will be glad to share that info with anyone else who was lucky enough to take some home. I will treasure them, Betty.

I must say that a certain sadness came across me while I was repotting them Saturday night - the realization that Kenneth was absent that day (at least in the flesh).

For those who were, I captured four lovely ladies on film before I left.....

Thanks again, everyone!

Nelson

I loved seeing everyone and am glad that you enjoyed it. The only thing that could have been better would have been for Kenneth to be there. Like the friends we have lost before, he will leave a big empty place at our swaps, but lots of wonderful memories. Start now spreading the word for this Fall and let's build this into a major event! The more the merrier.

Susan: Can you get your pictures posted or email them to me? They want some for our June MG newsletter and I was too busy to take any. I tried to email you, but houzz apparently doesn't forward messages and the address I have for you must not be current. Mine is abpruett@bellsouth.net. Thanks.