Technical Help for Newbies

PLEASE GO TO YOUR EDIT PROFILE PAGE AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED CORRECTLY.

Then go to ADVANCED SETTINGS (<<--click here)

(located under “Account”on the left side of the “edit profile” page or at-

https://www.houzz.com/settingsAdvanced )

Scroll down to "Privacy settings"

and select the option of “ALLOW ANYONE TO MESSAGE ME” under "Who can message me".

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To add your growing zone:

Go to ADVANCED SETTINGS

Look for - Climate Zone for Garden Forums - and fill in your zone.

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To make/edit your wants/have list:

Go to ADVANCED SETTINGS

-Then click on the box under “My GardenWeb Trading List”

-Type/paste in your seeds in a vertical list

(much easier to read than a horizontal list with commas between).

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To access these settings:

if you are currently logged in, click on your name anywhere on the site, or the “Your Houzz” button at the top right of any page.

Then go to ===> Edit Profile ===> Advanced Settings (located under “Account”on the left)

also, this page can be accessed by going directly to the web address -https://www.houzz.com/settingsAdvanced

this is the page where you can edit your preferences, allow people to email you, list your growing zone, and fill in your have/ want lists.

(THANKS LEILA for putting this together!)

Hi,

my name is Anna and I'm a newbie to Houzz and seed saving, but not to gardening in general. I live in Northern Maine (zone 3) on 14 acres, however, most of these are still wilderness. My garden is devoted to veggies and I love to can the harvest. Eventually, I'd like to add ornamental elements to the property, but that's not in the near future. I'd like to participate in this offer and in seed exchange, but only have 'Soldier' dry beans to offer.

Love to hear from you!

Anna

Hello, my name is Connie and I just signed up. Even though I've been referring to the information here for a little while, I just now found this area. I would love to participate in the newbie program and I love it all - flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables!

I am still fairly new to gardening but I've learned a lot from my friend so I have a little head start at least!

Messages sent to Anna and Connie -- WELCOME ladies!!

Hello,

My name is Sarah and I am still a newbie at gardening/seed saving. Though my account is old, I haven't done much except lurk and read on the forums. I live in Ohio (zone 6a), I live in a small house in the suburbs with my husband and four children. I really love gardening but I am pulled in a lot of directions. So I devote my garden to veggies mainly tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash. I don't have a lot of space to garden so I would love any suggestions of varieties to grow that are prolific. My husband likes the front yard to be bushes and flowers so I reluctantly plant those to, but, when I can, I sneak in a herb or lettuce that is pretty but also food. I too would like to participate in this offer, I will send the pm shortly. I think all of my setting on my profile are changed and I will look through my seed packets from that I bought year and see if any one wants to trade.

Thank you,

Sarah

Hi! I'm Kristen and I'm still trying to figure out this site. I have tried to read what I can about the rules, but I'm not very confident so I hope you'll forgive my ignorance. I live in zone 9 and have a suburban backyard garden in which I mostly plant edible vegetables and herbs. While I have done very small gardening for many years, I have only recently branched out to maintaining a year round garden, starting everything from seed, etc. Seed gathering is still on my to learn list. Is it acceptable to trade seeds I have not harvested since I'm not confident in my seed gathering skills? If trading extra seeds from over purchasing is not acceptable, please excuse my faux pas. Thankyou for your support & understanding!

Hi, I'd appreciate a starter pack for newbies. Trying to get the garden off the ground and received some seeds last year from generous folks on this site. This year's project was installing a raised bed in my sunniest spot. Hopefully next year I'll have plenty to share with others. I'll send a PM. Thanks, Rick

Hello, I’m somewhat new to gardening. We put up some raised beds
and I’ve been sourcing 5 gal buckets to begin planting some veggies and
maybe native flowers to attract some butterflies. Eventually I
want to accumulate my favorite landraces
and share/expose them to others. Thank you.

Starting over & would appreciate a starter pack for newbies. Thank you.

Sorry. I can't figure out how to send a private message on here.

Messages sent to all of the above

(except Alphie)

Alphie: See 2nd post in this thread as to how to set up your messaging. You can send me a message by clicking on my name on any of my posts, but I wont be able to send YOU one unless you enable your messaging to "Allow messages from anyone"

Hey there. I'm fairly new to the site. I bought my first house this past January and I have quite a large yard, so I'm trying to make the most of it. I've been planting a myriad of ornamentals around my yard and tried a small "test" garden, which yielded fairly well. I've always had a passion for gardening and owning my own home has only reaffirmed that passion. I recently broke in the ground for my much expanded garden which I will plant in the spring.

I have an interest in seed preservation and food storage so I'm very keen to get my hands on some heirloom seeds, preferably hard to find stuff, as the normal fare can be readily found on a number of seed sites. I'd also like any perennial flower, tree, shrub or fruit seeds. But I won't turn my nose up at anything and I'd be very grateful for anything I was given.

Hi all, greetings from Florida. I would really appreciate seeds to get my veggie garden going. I just sent you a PM.

Sillimank, apologies for the delay in responding to your post. I meant to come back and the past week or so has been crazy for me for different reasons. I'm sure most can relate with the coming holidays as well.

Just to clarify: for the newbie seeds, you do not need to have seeds to trade. This is a free offer for the price of stamps/paypal for convenience if you wish - to help you get your garden started or expand, etc.

Regarding seed trading. I understand your trepidation as to whether the seeds you are collecting are viable. You should check out the internet re: how to collect certain seeds and what mature seeds are etc. Just google "how to collect x seeds", or "how to collect zinnia seeds, for instance. I would suggest that you do a germination test on your seeds if you are not sure they are viable. If you trade seeds that are not good, traders will not be appreciative. Google "germination test in paper towels" or "deno method of germinating seeds". Basically you germinate a few seeds to make sure they are viable

For instance, zinnia seeds are not all 'viable". you should collect only the hard black, non flexible ones. I have had people complain to me that they received some zinnia seeds in trade and most of them were not viable. So you really need to do your homework.

Some vegetable seeds are not mature if you eat the fruit and save the seeds...the veggies need to stay on the vine/plant to mature in order for the seeds to be viable.

Hope this helps!

I never got a message back with your PayPal email. My message settings are configured correctly. I messaged you again. I'm ready to send payment as soon as I have your info :)

Adam, let me try again....Houzz messaging, we have found isn't ALWAYS reliable, so if you dont hear from someone, it's good to do what you have done (posted and message again). Please let me know if you dont get this next message by say, 9pm.

I just sent the money via PayPal. I messaged you. I'm replying here as well just in case another message goes missing.

Edit: As of 10:50 pm Eastern time, I finally got the message you sent this morning. Weird that it just now showed up.

I just moved into what will hopefully be my home for the next 30+ years. I eventually plan to have a food forest and several intensively cultivated bed areas, but I am on a shoestring budget so I will be doing things the slow, cheap way. I've started preparing two 4x10 bed areas for next spring and am looking for any way to get a variety of free or inexpensive seeds. I am in North Georgia on the border between zones 7 and 8. I am looking primarily for vegetables, but will take anything I can get.

I just joined the site today after finding this group. I would appreciate a starter pack. I can send peppermint, lemon balm, and wild columbine (mixed colors) in exchange.

val (MA z6) (6a): I would love some seeds! Sending private message now.

Hi all, My name is Vivi and I'm at community garden in zone 5b. I'd love a started back as well. I'm mostly into non-gmo/heirloom/organic seeds but will take anything. Love medicinal herbs and edible, pollinator flowers.

JUST A QUICK NOTE TO EVERYONE:

Between work, the holidays and other commitments, it might take me a little longer to message you back and get the packets out to you during the next couple weeks. Dont despair, I wont forget you!

Heroes and Heather: I got your stamps and will get your packets out as soon as I can.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Messages sent to everyone; Welcome! (All caught up to this point)

Vivi, you didnt message me your address, etc. I need addresses/info from a couple other people as well.

Happy to send stamps to you all - but need required info as above -

I'm Linda living in the Pacific Northwest. Zone 7/8. In 2015 we took out our grass yard and planted vegetables, fruiting trees, scented shrubs, and perennial flowers. I love scented flowers and unusual vegetables. Having so much fun! Thanks for the offer, gardening is expensive without sharing!

I received my seed package today! Thank you!

Hi, I'm Mandy. I live in Idaho, Zone 5. We just bought a fixer upper on 5 acres and I am looking for mostly vegetable seeds for now. I'm new to the site but love what I've found so far. I am going to work on getting my trade list up soon and I look forward to trading with everyone.

Alphie you go to settings and go to advanced settings and scroll down and click allow anyone to message me

and do you still have any queens tears I would like to trade but I have tons of flower seeds only thanks

Hi Val, thanks for the great post, i am a newbee a live in area 9b. Updated my profile as mentioned above. Love to get started, got a backyard but havent got a single vegitable growing. Love to see some help.

Hi Val, I have been around gardens most of my life. My great Aunts, grandmother and mother hall had green thumbs. I was hurt on the job and can no longer work. I am trying to get in to flower gardening along with some peppers and tomatoes. I can no longer weed much and I am the only one who eats the veggies. So if possible I would love some flower seed. Thank you Tom

I received my seed packets. OMG what a variety. Thank you and those who contributed so much. This puts my garden off to a great start and even allow for trading.

Hello, I'm Michael, Georgia 7b. I'm interested in starting a vegetable garden and learn how to grow good food for my family and learn from a community of like-minded individuals. Happy holidays!

I got my seed packet yesterday! It is such a interesting assortment of seeds, I am so inspired! Thanks

Santa (Val) came early this year! Just got my seeds today. Thank you so much--I can't wait to sketch up a planting layout for my raised beds. Happy Holidays!

I would love to participate in this offer. I am an SLP in a small rural elementary school in Ohio. We are looking for some vegetable seeds for our school garden.

I got my seeds in the mail this morning. Just wanted to say that I was surprised at both the amount and the variety. I owe a huge thanks to Val and the members who contributed seeds. Hopefully my garden/yard will yield a bounty of seeds in 2017 so I can pass on the massive favor that has been done for me. Thanks again to Val and the contributing members.

VERY INEXPENSIVE SEEDS. It always hurts financially to pay $5 for a packet of a few seeds, plus $5-8 postage if mail order. This seed distribution project of Val's is wonderful. And I want to introduce newbies to an additional source of great quality almost-free seed.

There is a seed company called American that is always sold at Walmart and sometimes at dollar or discount stores. I have never understood how this company can make much profit because printing the paper seed packets probably costs more than they charge. Their seed packets are about 30-50 cents each. They only sell open-polinated, but often the best cultivars of the OPs. The seed packets are put out in Ohio in walmart in March, and generally sell out very fast.

I buy all my herb seed from American at Walmart, most of my vegetables (other than tomatoes), and some flower seeds. I have bought this seed for many, many years, and have always been very hsppy with my plants.

When I read about Val's wonderful project, I thought I would buy American seed next March to contribute. Then I realized that the postage would cost more than the price of seeds. So it would be less expensive for people to buy this seed themselves instead of paying more postage.

Hi All, So pleased to hear of the newbie packs arriving and your pleasure in what you received. This is why --I-- do it, and the other donors are so very generous so that we can offer a wide variety of seeds to get you started.

Stamps received from Anthony M, Heather R and Andrew P. Your packets will be mailed out in the morning mail tomorrow (12/28)

Marta H and Amanda G -- Your newbie seeds are going out tomorrow (12/28) as well

where do we send the money for postage?

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR ALL -- PLEASE READ!

Unfortunately I am unable to continue to offer newbie packs of vegetables, unless we get new donations. I DO still have Flower Newbie packs to offer to those who are interested.

As always, please keep reading for updates!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Val, if you are still willing to share your seeds, we also plant 2-3 smaller areas with flowers near our vegetable gardens to attract pollinators. We would gladly use the seeds you send in these areas. Thank you so much! :)

Hello,
I’m so grateful for this project! I’m yiming (“e-ming”) and I live in Southern California (zone 10b). I just started gardening about 8 months ago, although I’ve been studying herbs and plants informally for the past few years. I currently container garden on a small south-facing balcony. I’d love any flowers you are able to send, especially ones that do well in pots / containers. I’m also particularly interested in medicinal herbs (except echinacea). I can send stamps.

Thank you!!!

yiming

Im new to the sight and to gardening i got a cold fram and cheap greenhouse im looking for some easy starter stuff to grow veggies or flowers. Id like a newbie pack please.

Hi All,

It's nice to see so many newbies joining us here at GW.

I DO ask that you read the entire first post, and following the instructions. I have received messages from some of you, but not your address, others have posted, but have not messaged me at all or sent the info requested. I dont ask too much, but it helps me in the long run. So please follow through and once that's done, I will message you my information

THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NEWBIE SEED UPDATE - JAN 1, 2017

PLEASE DO NOT POST TO THIS THREAD ANY LONGER

Despite the name/heading of this thread, I am closing this thread, as there have been alot of posts....and opening a JAN 2017 thread here:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4360861/m=23/newbie-seed-offer-for-january-2017-only

THANK YOU!