I think we all have Spring fever! I probably won't have anything to trade. But I know my mom really wants some blackberry lily if anyone has any.

The first three weekends of May are typical dates for the spring swap.

It's definitely not too early to start planning--especially with the severely decreased number of people around here now!

I checked, and the earliest Spring Swap we've had was May 5th, and the latest was May 30th. That doesn't mean we need to stay within those parameters!

If it is gonna be in May this year, the only weekend I could make it would be the very first weekend, May 4/5. After that I couldn't attend until the very first weekend in June which would be June 1/2. But it's usually decided by whoever is gonna be the host, what works for them, and by when "the most" people can come.

This has been a looong and dreary winter for me, so I'm beyond ready for spring!

Skybird

I was actually considering hosting one of the swaps this year now that we have a place to do it. It's a bit out of the way though and I don't want to make any commitment just yet.

I think we are going to be gone the last weekend of April, both the second and third weekends in May and the second weekend in June so the first weekend of May and the first weekend of June would be best for me as well. Although, if someone else is hosting, definitely don't make my schedule part of your plans.

I've been to RMG swaps from Castle Rock to Kersey. They're always wonderful, wherever they are. I'm maybe 10 minutes south of you, Zach, so if it was at your place, I'd love it! But, it's early yet and stuff changes. It's just so nice to be thinking a few months ahead when we'll have good weather and planting to do!

I am ready to talk about the spring swap! Earlier is better for me. The first weekend of May would be great.

I will try to bring in at least one new gardener this year. We need new plant blood!

Hi All! I’ve been super busy for the past 6 weeks or so, but my last big conference ended yesterday and I just thought, “Time to get back to my gardening buddies.” First weekend in May should work for me, if we could do Saturday. I am out of the running for hosting, though. Zach, where are you? Last I heard you were in Arizona?!? Obv I’m behind the times.

I just led a workshop called “Bringing Nature Back to the Playground” and I told them about our swap, so we may get some new blood if any of them look us up! I hope they do.

Ill be attending this year with both of my sisters, Camille and Lucy. Lucy held a swap at her farm in Berthoud couple of years ago. I am down at the ranch now in southern Co, I would love to host, but i think it might be a bit too far for most.

Shoot. I may be going to the Sparks Flea Market in Kansas the first weekend in May. And Liz, yes I do want to visit your peonies again!

Not too early at all! I'm ready!! :)

Hoping to bring at least one new(ish) gardener, and should have at least a few things to trade -- hopefully they're bigger this year than in the past.

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and I just bought a house this past fall. So I won't have anything to swap! I did move my flower garden from my old place, so I'm hoping some of those survive! I would love to go to the swap just to meet you all! I'll follow the forum for updates!

Heidi, one of the "rules" of our swaps is that you don't have to bring anything! There are always plenty of plants for everyone -- and if you wish, you can bring a tasty dish since there's usually a potluck. :)

Welcome!

By the way, this doesn't seem like it merits its own thread, but the Acme Hydroponics "Customer Appreciation Day" is coming up on April 6th, and I recommend attending -- they're a great local business and it's a fun event with free food, gardening-related vendors, and generally a few good sales as well.

If I make a decision about hosting by the first week of April will that be too late for everyone to "plan accordingly?" by the first weekend of May? It looks like that is when we may have (tentatively) decided, unless I'm misinterpreting. If I need to commit one way or the other before then so everyone has time to get ready, I will. Popmama, Kansas really isn't that great, I spent six weeks in Salina a few years back, the swap is way better LOL!

Faith, sadly I had to move back to Colorado last year and I am now up in Weld County. I think I'm actually closer to Milliken than Platteville, but that's where our address is I guess. We're about 25 minutes north of Brighton, about 15-20 minutes southwest of Greeley.

That works fine for me, Zach.

Well no one else has stepped up to offer hosting, afaik , so ZachS's proposal sounds fine. But we'll need to figure out an alternative should that not work out.

Happy almost spring everyone! It’s been a crazy busy winter but I just got bit by the gardening bug again :) On the hunt for compost to buy today since I still don’t have mine figured out. I don’t think we have any plans in May so first weekend should work for us. I don’t think I can host as I hope to continue our backyard deconstruct and get into putting it all back together. Might be a mud pit. I belong to a Facebook gardening group as well and can post on there...or not. Just let me know!

Zach, I think that sounds fine if you tell us by the first week of April, especially if the answer is yes, lol!

If you can’t host that weekend and nobody else can step up, I can do it in a pinch; my space is fine, it’s just that I’m flying to London the next day so I’d need extra help with set-up and clean-up. Plus I love seeing other people’s gardens... Anyhow, let’s plan to have the Swap the first weekend in May, either at Zach’s, or someone else’s, or my place as a last resort. Does that sound good to everyone?

Sounds good to me. Saturday the 4th or Sunday the 5th?

Faith if you wind up hosting Leslie and I should be able to help with the setup and cleanup.

It will have to be Saturday the 4th if I’m to be involved; I’m flying out Sunday.

I probably won't be able to attend, or if I can I may not be bringing anything other than food to share. Going to be busy the next couple of months preparing for my daughter's wedding weekend of June 7th! We are having the reception party in our backyard, so will be getting it as spruced up as I can by then. Hoping my plants do extra well this year! Although the party will be a fairly casual affair, I may want to supplement any gaps closer to the date with some store boughts. Was also thinking about planting some bulbs now for some show by then - any ideas of ones that might work, or do you think it's too late for that? Want some with at least 12 inches of height and do well with full sun.

Mstywoods, how exciting!! Congratulations to your daughter, and I’m sure your garden will be a lovely place for it.

I think most spring-planted bulbs are summer bloomers, so they might not be ready in time for a June 7th wedding. That said, I just soaked and pot-planted some ranunculous tubers (40 for $10 at Home Depot). I’m sprouting them in my window for an earlier bloom, and I’ll put them in the ground mid-April. They are supposed to bloom early summer so I’m hopeful that the early start will lead to early June blooms. They make great cut flowers.

Also, everyone here might already know this, but I recently learned that you can extend the vase-life of many flowers dramatically by dunking the cut ends in boiling (near-boiling?) water right after harvesting them.

Well, how about I just commit now. If everyone is willing to make the trek, I'll just go ahead and plan on having it at my place. Saturdays are best for us we typically drive down to Littleton on Sunday evening. We can make either work, but if we do Sunday it will probably have to be a little earlier in the day.

Faith, I'll be interested to see how your ranunculus do. I love ranunculus! About 3 years ago, I also planted about 40 bulbs. Not one succeeded. Pretty devastating. I may try again, but one has to take some time to get over that last failed relationship. Haha.

Thanks, Zach! It looks like Saturday May 4th worked for most people. It seems like we usually start around 11am, eat and mingle first, but you're the host so let us know what works best for you.

It sure was great gardening weather today. It feels so good to be digging in the dirt again!

Thanks, Zach! Can't wait to see the area where you're living!

Now that that's been decided, if you want to start the "actual" "Spring Swap 2019" thread, I'll keep an eye out for it and post the FAQs right up near the top for any newbies!

With the weather starting to warm up it's time to start getting things in pots! I already know of a few things I'm gonna be potting to bring!

Thanks again for volunteering to host!

Skybird

Yay Zach! Thanks for volunteering to host! I'll be there!

Once the actual Spring swap post goes up, I'll commit to what I'm bringing.

I have a special request this year for all you generous plant sharing types that I wanted to post early, though. Through a craigslist "free deck wood" encounter, I met a young man working on his Eagle Scout service project. He's making raised garden beds for an Easter Seals camp up in Empire. (5a, maybe 4b?) There are no available irrigation systems, so everything needs to be drought tolerant. I told them about the swap, and hopefully he and his family will join us, but regardless, he could really use some contributions to his project. If he can't make it, I'd be happy to be the go-between in getting the plants to him. Please think about what you have that might work that you'd be willing to share. Thanks!

Looking forward to seeing you all again in May!

Hey guys, I have been out of town for work the past week. I will get on the "official" spring swap thread once I make it home!

Wherever you are, hope you're having fun!

Skybird

Saturday May 4th has become a hot date on my calendar! Three events have appeared and one of them is Girl scouts (which usually wins!) If Sunday the 5th or the weekend after works better for folks, I am certainly game. I'm not sure I'll make the 4th. Maybe I could send some plants with soneone still though.

It wasn't bad, Skybird. It was an herbicide applicator and certification training put on by the Bureau of Land Management down in Albuquerque. It was hard to stay awake through classes on Pesticide Usage Reporting, Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, NEPA, and BLM policies and vegetation mapping programs. Being as I am employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rather than the BLM, it was a little challenging to find relevance in some of that stuff. Otherwise though, it was wildly informative and quite engaging. Plus the climate in Albuquerque was pretty much perfect.

Aww, Cat, that's too bad! Instead of plants, you could always send cookies as your penance for missing the swap ;).

((de-lurks))

May 4th works good for me, as Saturdays' pretty much the only day I have off.

Is anyone interested in houseplants again this year? 'Cos I have a TON of 'em that need to be adopted. Also a lotta volunteer outdoor plants that are already popping up.

I’m always interested in house plants! I did pretty well with the last round from Skybird. I only lost 1. I also lost an aloe though I’m not sure how that is possible.

I could do a houseplant or two!

EVERYBODY - EVERYBODY - EVERYBODY

This thread has served it's purpose--very well!--but from now on do all your posts over on the new "real" Spring Swap 2019 thread to be sure they don't get missed here on the "old thread!"

Also, Zach should be starting a "what are you bringing" thread soon, so keep an eye out for that one and post things you plan to bring--or things you might be looking for--on that thread once it's started!

If you posted on this thread that you plan to come, go to the "real" swap thread and post it there too, to make it easier for Zach to keep track of who's coming!

THIS THREAD IS OBSOLETE! GO TO THE NEW SWAP THREAD TO POST!