I'd like to participate...

Thank you again for the seeds I received last year... I would preferred mostly vegetable seeds this time; I will start on my list tonight.

I'd like to participate also. I have a ton of seeds that I got last year through you, and I'd love to share those and more with others. Still trying to learn how to garden, so it'd be neat to get some new variety of seeds too. :)

I’d like to participate ! Total newbie here from Hawaii

I would like to participate. I've only been gardening for a few years, but I've been enjoying it tremendously. I've never participated in a seed swap, but I have some to offer from plants that did well here and would like to try some seeds for plants that others have had success with.

WELCOME Mary, Tina, Annette, Kristan, and Catherine! SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU!!

This is the place to get your feet wet (for swaps!).

If you have questions, please feel free to ask. You really dont do much wrong :D

I enjoy a good swap (even just hosting!) as much as the next gardener! It's also nice to get to know your fellow swappers.

I'm going to start a participation list, this will be updated in this thread as we add new people, because GW/Houzz doesnt allow you to edit after a certain point.

PARTICIPATION LIST:

1. mary grether
2. Tina Johnson
3. Annette H
4. Kristan Suniks

Catherine /NJ

You all just post your wish lists on this thread when you get to it:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862)

I have a question regarding the maximum number of seeds I can send. I was just sent a free packet of perennial seeds with an order, but they are not hardy in my zone (they are for zones 8-10) and I'd like to pass them on to someone who might like them. I have no idea how many there are - do I open the package and count them and repackage them in smaller quantity?

Catherine, you get more bang for your buck if you open the package and see how many seeds are in there. There might be a generous amount enough to make 2-3 (or more) individual trade packs. It's a nice idea to generally to pack 25 seeds for a trade..more if they are tiny, less if they are big like squash.

Val sounds like great fun. When wish lists are posted I'll see what I can send. I have mostly veggies and I like being able to send things folks think they want to try in their gardens. I really don't want any back

Thank you, Beth, that's VERY kind of you! :D

Hi Val. How wonderful, thank you for this opportunity! I will sign up. What a great way to share with others and obtain seed you are looking for without individual swaps or breaking the bank trying to purchase everything. I have mostly veggie seeds that I will send. It will be great to participate since I am looking to start my flower gardens over since we moved into our new home last spring.

Wonderful idea Val, I'll check the wish lists as well and see if I have any I can donate

What a great idea! My spring fever is starting, but it will be months before I can really garden. There's always fun in planning and wishing. It's exciting to see new gardeners! Glad to all of you who created a profile and set up your messaging so we can all send/trade seeds! Heidi

PARTICIPATION LIST:

1. mary grether
2. Tina Johnson
3. Annette H
4. Kristan Suniks

Catherine /NJ

Susan Nieves

You all just post your wish lists on this thread when you get to it:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862)

Hi Susan, I've added you to the participation list and looking forward to having you in the swap! Swapping is a great way to swap your veggie seeds for flower seeds -- I'm sure there will be some people looking for veggies that have plenty of flowers!

Heidi -- I know! I've got spring fever already, tho my knee surgery is slowing me down. This year I had it earlier than last, tho, so i hope to be out in the garden by June! :D

Dragonfly - THANK YOU! I'll be happy to send extras to the newbies along with their swap seeds and/or the seeds on their wish list if you want to send for specific participants according to their wants!

You all make this such a great gardening community with "oldies" pitching in to help the "newbies" and it's greatly appreciated!

TO ALL PARTICIPANTS --

REMINDER

It's the middle of February, and only a couple weeks left in the swap to get your wish list post and seeds gathered to send to me for the swap.

When you are ready to send your seeds in to me, please message me for my address.

REMEMBER -- all swap seeds should be mailed to me by MARCH 3rd, 2018!

Val, can I send seeds that don't appear on anybody's wishlist? I have lots of seeds from plants that did well in my garden, but what if nobody asks for blackberry lily or teddy bear sunflower or whatever?

Adrian8231, welcome to the swap (Adrian messaged me and has posted a wish list)

I'd like to join, I have lots of veggie seeds to trade

Welcome, Kaylee, we'd love to have you!

PARTICIPATION LIST:

1. mary grether
2. Tina Johnson
3. Annette H
4. Kristan Suniks

Catherine /NJ

Susan Nieves

Adrian8231

Kaylee

You all just post your wish lists on the following thread ASAP

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/first-newbie-wish-list-seed-swap-feb-march-2018-wish-lists-only-dsvw-vd~5125862)

HOW TO PACK YOUR SEEDS FOR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:

Each of your seed packs should have the name of the plant/flower (plus the color or variety), the date collected, and YOUR name. If you dont want to buy stickers (you can get a small pack at the dollar store, etc), you can use a piece of paper inserted INSIDE the seed baggie. All should be packed in clear ziploc craft bags like this:

Then if you have seeds for someone off their wish list, all seeds for that person should be put in a small ziploc snack bag or such, with the TO (who it's for) and FROM (Your name) clearly visible on the front

Get your wish lists posted for a better chance of getting more seeds you really want Deadline is 2/23 (FRIDAY)

and

The swap deadline is coming up fast! ALL SEEDS SHOULD BE MAILED TO ME BY MARCH 3rd (Next Saturday)!

PS Above on your seed packs should indicate (G) - from your garden (T) - Seeds from a trade or (C) Commercially purchased on your label

Ahoy Val! I'll finish packaging up seeds this weekend and get them out to you on Monday or Tuesday, I'll pm you for your Addy

Participants: Please see updated posts -- and message me for my mailing address when you're ready to send your swap seeds in :D

most of the wish lists are great. I especially like Tina's. Specific but not too fussy. Perfect!

Saying " I want any seeds" is way to general to be helpful or realistic.

Surely you have some thoughts and choices. Do you have a small garden or grow in pots or is space unlimited....... short or long growing season..... does your family prefer cucumbers or hot peppers.

I'm not trying to be difficult but I'd rather send seeds where they will succeed and or be useful. OK, rant over. Thanks for listening

Hello Val, thank you for this initiative and to all the generous gardeners who give their seeds, time and advice. Yes please, I hope I am not too late. I had written and messaged you but suddenly realized perhaps I should post on this thread as well. I have morning glory and marigold seeds to share. Although my goal is to create a butterfly, bee and hummingbird garden, last year I ended up creating a feast for squirrels and chipmunks. It is an ongoing challenge between human and rodent which I lost miserably last year, so am deeply grateful and thankful for ANY seeds. I will be more specific in my wishlist though.

Hi Akhila -- and everyone else.

The way the swap works is, you send seeds in for the participants, hopefully from their wish lists. I am willing to take SOME seeds no on others' lists (up to 50 packs), and those seeds will be distributed among the swap participants. PLEASE NOTE: If you only have 2 type of seeds, you can send up to 5 packets of one type of seed (ie morning glory or marigolds), but I can't take 50 seeds of 1-2 kinds and then send back seeds from your wish list. And frankly, most people are looking for seeds that are not as common as marigolds. You will get back the same number of seeds you send (and probably with some bonus seeds), but essentially you have to send seeds to get seeds.

If you really want to participate you can go and buy a few packs of seeds you're interested in, and share part of the pack as your trades. That's always a good way to get started in trading/swapping.

We have one more week to get your lists up and swaps seeds packed with seeds from everyone's wish lists...and mailed to me so they reach me by at least 3/9.

Questions? please let me know!

Hi Val,

Many thanks for the clarification. It's just a wish list Val. If there is anything to available after you've distributed to others, that's fine. If there isn't, that's absolutely fine too. Like I mentioned earlier, any seeds are appreciated. Wishing everyone all the very best of luck in their gardening efforts this year!

Best regards,

Akhila

Hi akhila, the wish list is only for those participating in the swap. Each person gets at least the same number of seed packets back that they have sent in, so if you are not participating,your wish list should perhaps be a post on the seed exchange. You can make a post asking for seeds for sase. I do not want to confuse people in the swap and have them send seeds from your wish list if you are not in the swap.

mmmm yes, now I am confused

Beth, what are you confused about?

PARTICIPATION LIST:

1. mary grether
2. Tina Johnson
3. Annette H
4. Kristan Suniks

Catherine /NJ

Susan Nieves

Adrian8231

Kaylee

Paper Finch Studio(7a) - I have been unable to contact you. Please message me

Please read the posts above re: how to pack your swap seeds, and more!

Reminder: Seeds should be mailed no later than 3/3 and in my hands by 3/9!

OK< I was thinking that the people who posted wish lists were in the swap. I'm clear now with the list posted above

Beth, I think some people came across the swap wish list post and didn't realize it was for those specifically in this swap-??

I have received seeds from Kristan, Annnette. Akila, and catherine; and Tina has let me know hers are on the way.

Hi Val, I mailed my seeds yesterday morning and they will arrive by Thursday.

I just mailed mine, sorry I had car trouble. Hopefully it's there in a few days.

Mine are in the mail too

Looks like everyone followed thru and mailed seeds except for Adrian, Mary and Paper Finch!

Thank you for taking on this project. I know it it was alot of work. I really appreciate it, and look forward to receiving and planting my seeds.

I received my seeds today, and could not be more pleased with them. Thank you all so much, and especially Val for doing all the hard work. Happy gardening!!!

Yes, thank you all for the wonderful seeds! I got mine on Tuesday... Thanks Val for all you do!!! Good luck with your gardens!

Hi Val, many thanks for sending such a wonderful variety of seeds. I received them on Tuesday, and apologize for not writing sooner. Thanks also to all of you that sent me special seeds from my list. I love all of them and am excited to get started gardening as soon as the weather breaks. I wish all of you a wonderful gardening season with bountiful and beautiful harvests!

Hi Everyone! I got my seeds today, after excitedly checking my mailbox every day, lol. Thanks to all who swapped seeds, especially Catherine, Elizabeth, dragonfly20210, Kaylee, Susan and anyone else who might have donated seeds. It was fun receiving individualized seed "valentines" (they remind me of addressing valentines as a kid).

Special thanks to Val for creating this whole seed swap and making this happen. I can't imagine the work involved in having to check and divvy everything out according to individual wishlists. I think I sent way too many seeds, to make things even more complicated for you!

Without one organized person in charge of all of this, we definitely wouldn't get this amazing variety of seeds! Val, you rock!

I'm excited! Bought my first bag ever of chicken manure this week, hoping it wouldn't stink up my car. I was like, am I seriously paying for chicken poop??? But I hear it's great for growing veggies. :P

Got my seeds and a big thank you to Val, Catherine,Dragonfly and the others for sharing their time, energy, seeds and kindness. Wish the weather would make up it's mind whether it's coming or going. It's time for spring. My poor crocuses put their heads up and boom 8 inches of snow. Now to plant seeds and keep them alive against the onslaught of the critters- squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and deer. thank you once again everyone!

So glad all your packages are arriving and you're pleased with your seeds and your first(?) swap. I hope that this will give you the courage to join other swaps and have some FUN! Hoping all your gardens are bursting with beautiful blooms (and produce) this season!

Thank you Val for this fun swap! Just received my package :) Can't wait to plant it! Thanks again!

I got my seeds today! Thank you everyone, I'm already sprouting some tomatoes I just couldn't wait any longer! Thank you Val you did a great job! I love everything, I can't decide what to plant next but it's a good problem to have :)