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seniorballoon

Anyone interested in a PNW Plant swap? 2025 Version

3 years ago
last modified: last year

Doesn't look like there's been one in quite a while. I remember going to a few many years ago and it was a great fun way to meet people and get a few new plants.

I"m thinking early Spring? If there's enough interest we can figure out a location.

SB

Comments (75)

  • 3 years ago

    June works for us. Please make some suggestions and we can start to nail down a date.

    Time: 11:00 to 4:00 or 12:00 to 3:00 is a good time frame - gives driving time for some. Pot luck lunch and plant exchange will make it a full day. We are in Shoreline, WA and just across from the Shoreline Community College. Kids welcome too but the garden in on several levels and not safe for toddlers. But they are welcome as long as they are watched. Older kids will love exploring the Boeing Ravine behind the garden.

    I will send some photos later.


  • 3 years ago

    I will be there with bells on, even though I have nothing to swap :-)) I am coming for the social aspect and to see my best gardening buddy and dear friend, Shirley. It's been far too long!!!


    Come to think, I will have something to swap but will only bring if requested. I need to do my annual thinning of my patch of gooseneck loosestrife and will share with whoever might like. But read up on it first - this plant should come with a warning label!

  • 3 years ago

    Weekends are filling up fast, but I hope to make it, too!

  • 3 years ago

    I will throw out June 17th and 24th. Saturdays work best for my schedule as I work during the week and do like to be home on Sunday to prep, but I can be flexible as this is worth it.

  • 3 years ago

    Let's call it a Social/Swap! lol Everyone is welcome and the swap part will be a bonus.

  • 3 years ago

    My daughter will be visiting on July 1 and would love to meet you all and be part of the GardenWeb family! The hydrangeas will be fabulous then and the date works beautifully for us. Comments Please

  • 3 years ago

    I hope that July 1 works out. My daughter will be here and is a great help in the kitchen as well as the garden. She is looking forward to the get-to-gether. Do we want to declare dishes for the potluck or just have people bring one dish? I am always amazed when dishes are not declared and the variety that arrives. I will provide plastic plates, forks, cups and knives and napkins. Also iced tea, coffee and water. I will also make tabouli and chicken salad along with baked stuff. We are always open to suggestions and your favs.

    Home cooked, deli or even Costco, it will all be delicious and fun to share.


  • 3 years ago

    I am available July 1st. My only concern is it being a holiday weekend, and people may be going out of town. I am definitely up for a pot luck. Will ruminate on what to bring.

  • 3 years ago

    Hi Everyone, My daughter had to change her plans so we could change the date for the Swap/Get together. End of June or later in July. Senior, a later date would probably be easier for traffic. Please let us all know what you think.

  • 3 years ago

    I am very flexible. If we go into July sometime after the 8th, so the 15th would also be a good date. As I write this I think the July time frame is best as June is upon us and it gives people time to plan.

  • 3 years ago

    July works for me! Please chime in for possible good dates. Sat. or Sun?


    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    I prefer a Saturday as I work and it's nice to have Sunday at home. My choices would be July 15th or the 22nd.

  • 3 years ago

    Either date in July works for me. Much better than the first, as holiday ferry traffic will be at its usual backup and no doubt experiencing delays. Sometimes I feel trapped on this island!!

    Would appreciate any suggestions for the potluck contribution....... 😊

  • 3 years ago

    Since we haven't seem any objections to these days, let's set it for July 22nd, Noon to 3ish, for a swap and pot luck.


    I'll bring some kind if cold chicken. Other suggestions would be potato salad, and or a green salad.


    Some of the plants I plan to bring:

    American Rose

    Darlowe's Enigma (rose)

    Westerland (rose)

    Lacecap Hydrangea (unknown cultivar from Heronswood)

    Variegated Mockorange

    Duetzia scabra variegata

    Ligularia Othello seedlings

    Variegated hosta (unknown cultivar)


    I'll probably pot up a few other perennials from our garden as well.


    I'll also bring some pots, rooting medium and rooting hormone for those that want to try making some cuttings.


    If this sits a few more days with no objections I'll cross post this to the other threads.


    Look forward to sharing plants and meeting some new people.


    SB


    For cuttings

  • 3 years ago

    This sounds wonderful. I would love to bring something too. Any links on what I can divide and how to divide/ propogate? Is it ok to bring kids? (In case I need to pop over between activities.)

  • 3 years ago

    @Starry PNW Zone 8b You can divide anything that is clumping, such as hosta, or a ground cover that spreads like Oxalis. You just need to get enough of the root I have even done it with Clematis. I would recommend that you pot up divisions when you take them.


    I'm sure others may have even more suggestions, as well as google/youtube is full of tutorials.


    @spswash Mentioned that kids would be ok, but that the garden is on multiple levels and might not be good for toddlers.

  • 3 years ago

    Here is a link to a good site that explains how to divide. Don't make it more complicated than necessary! lol Dig, divide and replant and water. That is it. Keep new babies out of sun and they will recover quickly.

    https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/dividing-perennials



    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    We got a date!! July 22nd, Noon to 3ish, for a swap and pot luck. I will do a salad, pasta salad, and bake a lemon pound cake and some cookies. Please let me know if there are any dietary restrictions. We will also provide water, Ice tea and coffee for those who request. Please bring your favorite beer or wine if you want to have some. I will also have paper plates, cups and utensils. Other suggestions - soda pop, chips, ice cream, green salad, potato salad for some ideas.

    We are at the top of the Boeing Ravine and it is perfect for adventurous teens and preteens. Little people need to be with parents if they want to go exploring.


    We are looking forward to meeting everyone in person! I will send map and directions closer to the date, or when requested.

    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    Thanks for the division tips! I didnt have much success last year, but I think it was from underestimating how much I would need to water and baby the babies. That’s gardening, though- lots of experimentation and learning by doing. Hope to see everyone in July.

  • 3 years ago

    Hi All,

    July is almost here and we should firm up the plans for the July 22nd, Noon to 3ish, for the swap and pot luck!

    Cold chicken is spoken for and I will make a vegetarian pasta salad and bake carrot cake, brownies, cookies and ? lol Will also provide some iced tea and sodas. Ideas for additional dishes could include veggie platter, fruit, green salad, chips and dip and other drinks. We have paper plates and cups and utensils. Any other ideas? For those who are not sure about rooting cuttings, you can dig up stuff the same day or day before and water generously, wrap in heavy plastic and we can divide here and take home pieces.


    Please let us know who is interested. I will email directions to the house.

    Going to be a fun day!

    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    Hi spswash, I am a bit reluctant to post an email address directly, I've seen them coded so let's try this- my email is brian numeralzero silvey at gmail dot com, no spaces. If this doesn't work we could do it via DM's here on Garden web. it looks like your DM's are not open, which I can understand if you are reluctant to do that. We'll figure it out one way or another.


    As I said up thread I can bring some rooting medium, pots and some rooting hormone. Along with the plants I've listed I'll also bring some cuttings from plants that are in a good state to root.


    SB

  • 3 years ago

    Senior - DM is a great idea and I used it long ago. I don't remember how to change my profile. Can you help me? Searched the profile pages and could not find where to change.

    Thanks

    You can direct mail me at shirley dot sidell at gmail dot com

    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    l’ll be there and will be bringing chips and dip!

    SeniorBalloon thanked Starry PNW Zone 8b
  • 3 years ago

    @spswash Apparently you have to be following someone to message them. I just followed you and the Message option showed up.

  • 3 years ago

    Thanks for the info SB. I have a new email that we can use for the swap. Please use this and I will send directions next week to everyone who is interested. It is not a commitment but will get us started.

    Here is the direct email: spswagarden@gmail.com

    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    ^^^ I'm not sure that's true :-) I don't follow anyone and I am able to message anyone that has that function enabled.

    Shirley, I just checked and you want to go to Advanced Settings on your profile page. If you scroll down almost to the bottom there is a dropdown "who can message me" and that gives you several options (including 'users I follow', so that does come into play at least sometimes). Your message tab is showing so that feature IS enabled.

    And I don't think I need directions :-)) I'll be bringing some food to share - not sure what yet - but no plants :-(

    SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 3 years ago

    The date is fast approaching, July 22nd. Bumping this so more people will see it.


    Hope to see you there.

  • 3 years ago

    Any hydrangea lovers near Shoreline WA? The swap/potluck will be at my house and I have about 61 different hydrangeas in my garden. I will be happy to share cuttings if anyone is interested to join us. The plants beautiful this year and most are blooming or will soon. Please email me if you are interested. If you don't have time to make cuttings, don't worry, bring plants and we can divide here. If you dig them up, put in plastic bags or tarps and PLEASE label them. You can post the names if possible. The garden is on a hill so can be a challenge for some and little kids have to be watched. We border on the Boeing ravine and is a great place for hiking - for the older kids and teens. We are meeting on July 22, about noon to 3ish. Come and meet some of the folks that also love gardening and some even hydrangeas. You can email me directly at

    spswagarden@gmail.com

    I will send directions and map to our house.

    Hope to see you and meet you in person.


    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    Just wishing you all have a great day

    SeniorBalloon thanked rosaprimula UK (Cambridge) Z8/9
  • 3 years ago

    Thank you for a fun and educational garden exchange. I learned so much and really appreciate spswash sharing their home and garden with us!

  • 3 years ago

    The swap was great fun. I want to thank spswash and her son for graciously sharing their home and their knowledge, excellent hosts, and everyone for sharing their plants. It was a special treat to meet GardenGal in person after chatting on the gweb for many, many years.


    Here's a pic of the haul. Mostly cuttings of hydrangeas and hardy fuchsias, which only time will tell if they end up with a place in our garden and some very nice saxifrage.



    SB


  • 3 years ago

    Thank you for the lovely comments about our garden and the preparations for the swap. It was a delightful day with lovely people and sharing so many plants and delicious dishes. It is our pleasure to be able to share our home and garden with all. Thank you everyone for driving on the super busy highways today to get to our house. It was a great day.

    SeniorBalloon thanked spswash
  • 3 years ago

    What a wonderful afternoon!! Many, many thanks to my dear buddy sps for hosting and sharing her gorgeous, hydrangea filled garden. And what a pleasure to meet some other local GW'ers......it's always good to be able to place a face to name :-)) Good people, good food, great plants - what better way to spend a sunny afternoon!!

    And I didn't have to wait 3 hours for the Edmonds ferry!! Was only about a 40 minute delay.

    SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 2 years ago

    Bump! Senior can you please email me? We can take more cuttings to replace the ones you lost. I think the rot was because the plants were over-watered.

    I can't fine your emai.

    sps


  • last year

    Hi! Is this group still active? I followed you all back in the golden days of Garden Web (mostly lurked) although I can‘t remember my username. LettuceLaw perhaps? i remember GardenGal very well.

  • last year

    Hello Lexi, some of us are still around. @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) still posts and in fact I got to meet her at the plant swap that came out of this post.

  • last year

    How many would be interested? Last year was fun and loved meeting new gardeners. Pam, how are you? Been a tough winter for us but would consider a swap/social this summer if enough are interested.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Hi Shirley!! I am fine although getting older and more decrepit on a daily basis. 🤔 Been thinking about you and a bit concerned since you seldom post anymore. Glad you are still up and running!!

    Would love to see you and any other PNW gardeners so I am up for a get-together whenever.

  • last year

    I would love to join again, too. It was amazing meeting all these knowledgable gardeners and I learned so much. The hydrangea cutting I took are leafing out and doing great! Very proud gardener moment for me.

  • last year

    I am up for another swap/social. I have not had good fortune keeping cuttings alive over winter. Rooting goes well, but after I pot them up only a few make it through winter. Not sure why so would love to try again. Mid June would be good for me.

  • last year

    Count me in, for sure! I’m recently retired and am up for grab! My contribution will likely be limited to baked goods and sweet pea seeds if that is cool.

  • last year

    Everything goes for these swap/socials. I am also recently (hmm, one year and 4 months) retired.

  • last year

    Congratulations on your retirement!


    Despite evidence to the contrary (i.e., ”I” being up for ”grab”), please rest assured I am well versed in the nuances of subject-verb agreement and I pledge to indulge in only well-reasoned, intellectually stimulating and grammatically correct discourse at any future swap/socials :)

  • last year

    Just for the record I took it as available for a Plant Swap. :o) And congrats to you as well.

  • last year

    Noted on the record, SB :)

    SeniorBalloon thanked Lexi Vanderbilt
  • last year

    I am still here and I just sent you an email. Late June would be good for me. I wonder if we should start a new thread?

  • last year

    Please start a new thread. This one is way too long and hard to navigate. Late June seems to work here. Best to all the garden friends.


  • last year

    Was a new thread started? Kind of hard for me to follow things here on Houzz.

    SeniorBalloon thanked Lexi Vanderbilt
  • SeniorBalloon thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)