Green Elephant Swap Trade Lists & Confirmed Trades

She likes me best. (she says with an evil grin)

Yes, I'm likely to get absorbed in the possibilities of more plants. I passed my next door neighbor today on the way home from the swap. She was walking her dog. She looked at me with this hilarious grin . . . like, "I knew you'd come home with a truckful, you crazy girl . . . "

This message was edited Nov 3, 2007 9:29 PM-

This message was edited Nov 3, 2007 9:31 PM

Yes, she clearly likes you best!! But of course, that was BEFORE she met me! I will grow her dahlias, if only because I love her goat manure. (Well, that's not the only reason.) But a woman who gives out goat manure must be a very interesting person! Oh, and a true gardener!

I am pleased. I have way fewer plants on the return trip.

I feel so sad I didnt get to go. work, work, you know.
I would have love to meet those who I havent, YET I will some day

Tilly (Mary)

I see that I'll have to work my way into Pooch's dahlia heart - it's not hard to be inspired, though, by the sight of those beautiful babies (the dahlias, though the goats are pretty darn sweet, too). Katye, my neighbors have horses; I'll try to get over there this week and ask whether they have any manure for donation, if you want. There are several people near me with horses - anybody else want me to ask?

Pixy - I'm determined to expand my hydrangeas in the next year, as well - would love for you start a thread on the different varieties you have (wink, wink). My neighbor is also a nut for them and I'm trying to suck her in to membership in dave's.

Mary -

I still have your dogwoods. Maybe it will cheer you up to have a (not so) little elf bring them to you at work this week. What do you think?

Here's the secret to giving away urine and dung laden barn waste: get two people to load it up and snicker while only one drives it away! Continue feeding the goats and producing more and more and more compost material. It's a surefire way to entertain yourself with amusing pets and making gardening friends who don't mind the smell and a little hard work. :) In April Katie will be doing the 'secret sniff' of fresh, wonderful compost like none other. Just remember to turn it a few times and break up the glued-together clumps as well as possible.

Can't believe I missed JBuresh: she's a staple! In March, I hope to have more time to dig up perennials and join in the swap, but chances are good I'll be 100% focused on those darn dahlias again.....

I want to see RachieRabbit's Mantruck! Those come in handy for all things gardening. Pixie, even if you don't have a mantruck, you would be welcome to barnwaste anytime.

Hahahahahaha. And between loads I was making faces and and babbling to the goats and dog. And I drove away with a BIG smile on my face at my treasured load. I can hardly wait to rub the beautiful stuff between my fingers.

That would brighten my life up about right now this has been the worst 2 weeks that I can think on for the past 9 years as far as job goes, ready to pull the plug so to speak, I just dont understand some people. I have been doing 15 hour days and have not had very many days off. long story won't go into it.
Thank you, LOL
Mary

Gee Mary, If urine and dung laden barn waste brighten your day; maybe it IS time to pull the plug on that job. It sounds like you've been in an unpleasant interval there and I hope for your sake that it ends soon. My answer is always "Make a Pros and Cons list and when the Cons far outweigh the Pros, tell them to recess their job firmly in a place where the sun hesitates to shine." Something like that..... 15 hours a day should be reserved for gardening and gardening only, don't you think?

Mary -

I'm so sorry!! You just tell me when and I'll be right over. Kitties (especially this little calico polydactyl chasing the cursor right now so that mom has to type with one hand) say, "Hang in there" and "Don't let them make you do anything you don't want to do - at least not unless they promise tuna."

Here are Gemini and Topaz, who have CH (underdeveloped cerebellum due to the panleuk virus) last spring when they were about 6 months old. She's not too affected and has been a little terror. He's pretty affected and falls and bumps into walls alot, but tries to be as much of a terror as he can. They are a hoot.

Hi Everyone!
What a fun day! It was so great to meet all of you! I just got home a bit ago and got all my treasures unloaded and organized in the garage. Thank you all so much for the wonderful plants-and your incredible generosity! I am also pleased that I had more space in the car going home and yet such excellent things still in it! I'm also starting to think about next spring but I know I'll have to wait and see what the winter does for most things. I definitely want to be a little more organized. I've gotten some great ideas seeing how you did your labelling and lists.

I do agree with Pixy that it was a bit chaotic with the multiple conversations and all going on. But it was a fun chaos.
Add my vote for three hours for the next one, too! (Especially if it starts a little later, lol, yawn)

Pixy, thank you again for Most Excellent Fern and Extraordinary Hydrangea. I'm super glad I got there when I did, but sorry you had to deal with someone being rude about a plant because it took me so long to get there. I never got a chance to go to Heronswood when they were open, or buy anything from them, so having this hydrangea is super-special to me. I will give it a place of honor here.

Katye, please add me to your list for the old fashioned superfragrant mock orange. That sounds like the one I remember from the house I grew up in, and I have been looking for it for years. Is it by any chance a double?

Poochella, I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet today, too. I think you did drive by me as you left, though. Goats! I didn't know you had goats! Fun! We'll have to meet at the next swap.

As for that co-op, oh you just HAD to say "Terra Nova", didn't you?? I have been telling myself no more, no more! But noooo, someone had to go and say "Terra Nova". Now I'm probably doomed.

I've got to tell you about the rest of my day. After I left, I headed over to Seattle to spend some time with my mom and maybe go to a few places that I try to visit when I get a chance. So I'm in this shop that has recycled things and garden art, and I find a gnome and decide to buy him. I put him in a basket and a woman comes by and says "Piedmont! Piedmont has found a home!" I am apparently now the proud owner of a garden gnome named Piedmont. (Piedmont? for a gnome???? I will discuss this with the gnome and see what he thinks tomorrow.)
Anyhow, the guy running the cash register carries my gnew gnome out to the car for me. On a whim, I ask him if he'd like a few strawberry plants, and he says "Sure". So, we get to the car and I get out the tub and he starts pulling them out of the bin. (Under his breath, I hear him happily muttering "Fragaria"...) He took ALL of the plants-the whole bus tub full-and the dirt! He even invited me to come back for berries next summer.

Then what did I do for the rest of the afternoon? Garden, of course! I helped my mom transplant a bunch of her houseplants and then headed home. What a terrific gardening day. Someone gave me a beautiful little Blackberry Jam African Violet for my mother. I'm sorry, I don't remember who it was, but my mom just loved it. It's front and center on the plant shelf. Thank you!

Mary/Tilly,

Sorry work's been so rough! I know how it's really draining and tiring when you work that much. Hope you only have to do this for a little while longer until they get a new manager. Until then, keep your eyes on the pri$e and hang in there! :)

Welcome home, susybell. I think you get the award for the longest trip and the longest day. Thanks for coming so far. It was great meeting you.

Hi Kathy,
Now there's a contest that I don't really want to win, I think! It really was fun and it was great seeing my plants going to good homes, too. It wasn't that late when I got home, it just took me a while to get to DG and get my post done. But I will sleep quite well tonight.

Talk about a fun time.... This was better than Christmas!!!!
I now have faces to go with gardens/plants! Next spring will be a blast for sure... Thanks so much to all of you for your generousity. I worked yesterday afternoon getting things in the ground and those I couldn't I potted until today.

Susy, the "Iris" are already in near my sitting area in the garden. I have the Echinacea in a pot waiting until today to find that special place... I have potted my new found salvias and will watch them grow. We need to go over my list so I can be ready to root some of my things for you.
I have not decided where I will put the ever so fragrant oriental lilies, but rest assured I will find a place.

Poochella, I didn't even realize you were coming, how did I miss that? What a delight to find you there giving a demo about the dangerous and addictive "Dahlia". I have so admired your dahlias and knowledge this summer and to finally meet you (sigh) what a thrill. I really feel so honored to be able to share mine with you, I will get the "Pink Attraction" and the "Eveline" for you by the spring trade. I will let you check past posts we have had and if you find others you would like I will get those to you too. Thanks so much ...I can't wait until spring!

Pixy, my dear sweet DH is going to dig my big holes for the "Large" Malva and Lavatera from you today. When Pixy says "large" look out!..lol I was going to cover my rain barrell with grass but I changed my mind and will use one of these....Pixy which one has the biggest spread, it will be a nice corner feature? The Iris' will go near my sitting spot with the group I have there...

Rachie, I cannot wait for the Verbena Banaseris to bloom, I know I am easily amused. But if you look back through my post that is one I have wanted from the beginning. I could not find it up here this year but found 4 other Verbenas and bought them. They are all special because they remind me of my Grandpa.

Katie59, what a clump of Stella, I have already divided it in two and will continue today to divide. My plan is to use this and some of the tinier daylillies to soften the cherry wood we put around the garden this year. I hate barriers and would rather have had nothing, but with the sand I was fighting a losing battle with the grass roots traveling to get water!
So if you have more and want to get rid of it in spring keep me in mind. If you still want a Salvia Leucanthia I will root one for you...Dmail me so I can get started...

Tom, I saw you and said hello but that was it. Thanks for the Delphinium and the coneflower seeds. It was so nice meeting your wife. You are more than welcome to come by anytime, we need to exchange email addresses. We need to talk about your daughters garden, I will probably have some things or can root somethings for her.

I told Thane he needed to come onto this forum, he said he had only used DG for plant reference...we need to convince him this is fun! If you are here thanks for the lavender and the penstemon!

My DH was totally amazed, I am an introvert most times around strangers. He said, "you need to find a job in a nursery or dealing with plants if you decide to go back to work. Your face just lights up when you talk about plants" . He said I was in my element ...well duh where has he been all these years. LOL I guess he has always thought of it as busy work or a hobby. Now he understands after seeing all of you and the interactions we had it is a passion.

Laurie, you would have had a blast so much activity and fun. Much like following you in your taming just a delight! It would be nice to do a taping and send it to you...hmmm (thought process going again)....
I will ask my DH if he can drive again next spring and we have a DVR recorder...lol

To all of you thanks! I am looking forward to a fun winter on DG getting things ready for spring! If there are mispellings and such, just ignore them I am still in a fog from all the excitement yesterday, I even slept for 9 hours....DH checked to make sure I was breathing, just too much excitement for one day...lol

Happy gardening, Carla

Susy - got you on the list for the Philadelphus.
It's not a double - It's a single white, that is uber-fragrant. I can smell it 75' away when it's in full bloom. But I'll warn you: she's a very tall girl!

Katye, sounds great! Thanks!

Carla - enjoy the Stella de Oro. I think they'll perform outstandingly for you, especially since they'll get divided and get the attention I haven't given them. I'm now inspired to get my 25-year old clumps divided up and spread around.

I'd love a cutting of the salvia - thank you!! These are such great varieties of salvia. I'll d-mail you.

Carla, you are so organized! The Echinacea was easily 4ft tall this year and the flowers are good-sized. Not big enough to be Ruby Giant, but noticeable. "He" will make a statement anywhere you put him, and I'm sure he will be very happy to have more sunshine. With your sandy, well-draining soil the Irises are going to be loving you, and the lilies, too. I'm going to really look forward to seeing your pictures next year and picking out all the new plants "Oooh, look! There's the Lavatera, and over there, I recognize that Iris (wow, it's really happy in its new home)"..

As another introvert, I was a little nervous knowing I was going to be meeting so many new folks all at once. I've never found it so easy to just start talking to folks as I did yesterday. Looks like you're stuck with me now!

Yay!!

Susy- Sounds like you had a wonderfully busy day. I love the story about the gnome, when you get a chance please post a pic of "Piedmont" for all of us to see.

Carla- We gardeners are a rare breed! I got home at 7 p.m. last night and was floating on a cloud; if it wasn't for the fact that I was completely and utterly exhausted I would have ran out and started planting by flashlight!

After the swap Pixy and I went to Thane's and dug up (with a little help pulling from the "mantruck" and a chain) a gorgeous rhody that found a new home at Pixy's. When we got to Pixy's we unloaded her stuff and then proceeded to dig around and then pull (again with the truck) two wonderful cherry trees that are now happily snuggled in the ground at my house. We were on such a role that we "loosened up" two more of her rhody's that she wanted to move to different areas (again with the truck :0) And of course I had to wander around her beautiful garden and drool on everything!

It was so much fun meeting everyone! I have attached a picture of the "mantruck" as Pixy calls it for those of you that may have missed it. By the way, have I said that I loooooove my truck!

Rachel, good thing you didn't have the bobcat with you yesterday, any number of people probably would have begged you to go home with them first, or tried to trade you for it!

Hey Poochella, I was talking about the Dogwood not the Doo Doo. Ha made my day. after another 15 hour day ugh.

Thanks for the good words Suzy, everything has to run its course, I know it has to end sometime. ( please make it soon) LOL I'm getting to old for this ####! and very tired of these dumb shifts. Its taking my gardening time away.

Katie Love that kitten I have a very much love for calico's anyway Tilly is one and so was her momma who I lost a few years back, she was a long hair, Tilly is short.
The best cat I have ever had her name was Smoke (she had smoky grey fur) She was born cross eyed . but that never stopped her, She would take a running leap to jump on the coffee table and totally miss, and thought thats what she was supposed to do. I think a hawk got her, she love sleeping on top of the house. she was a very small cat. and thanks for the support, I'm hanging (by a tread, but hanging)

Here's "Miss Tilly"

I tried to post to this thread twice yesterday, but the internet was squirrely and I lost both posts. Here's what I remember I tried to post:

Cocoajuno, the Lavatera 'red rum' is much wider than the malva. I would choose that as a screen over the other one. Be sure to keep it well watered until it is settled in nicely. Same with the mallow. They resent disturbance when they are that large.

Mary, one of my favorite people has changed jobs about every two years for the last 6 years or so. She has a great attitude about jobs when they begin to drive her nuts or the supervisors begin to take advantage of her good nature by overworking her (since she has a good work ethic, she tends to get more work than others...hmmmm.) She always says 'I had a job when I found this one.'. This motto has saved her a lot of heartache.

Yes, I seriously love Rachel's mantruck. Oh, the POWER!! Although, those rhodies at my house gave it a run for its money. I've never seen a plant pull a big 4x4 truck sideways before. I wasn't sure who was going to win at first: the truck or the rhododendron.

Good morning all,

Susybell....so glad to be stuck with you!

Pixy, Red Rum will be hiding my "Big Blue" rain barrel...Thanks again! I will be sure to keep them both moist!

Tilly is gorgeous! Do you have vacation time coming? I think it is time for a break! I left a job of 9 years for the same reasons you are talking about....and I actually loved the job for a long time. With the holidays coming you need to take a break before you break! Take care of yourself, especially now.

Rach, I was outside until it was to dark to see Saturday and Sunday...I took a break Sunday to go to Lowes to get more "pansies, grasses, sedums, and verbena....just couldn't pass up the bargains...lol

Happy gardening all... I am off to the yard until lunchtime at least...
Carla

OOOOOOOO Carla, there you go tempting me to go back to Lowe's again........ It's so hard loving plants, especially bargain ones!

Tilly,
There is something very special about calico's. Our sweet girl May sends her love to Tilly. My mom and my husand both adore calico's. Carl my hubby got May when she was a kitten, she's 7 now.

Rach,
I really need to go get another paint brush, I just finished putting a coat of paint on the front door and did not like the brush. I was actually coming in to get lunch when I decided to do a quick 1st coat of paint on the door while the sun was out, I can do the 2nd coat tomorrow before the rains come back. So I may have to run to Lowes again, I am very afraid to go back to Lowes the darn plants will just jump right into my basket...That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Good story Carla! What color did you paint your door?

Rach,
Boring color... Lemon Edge....If we get to stay here I will go bolder next year.....It is an aluminum storm door and the metal front door that are being painted. The vinyl siding on the house is lemon edge with a baby blue trim....I wanted a dark slate blue door, dh wants to wait on the dark colors until we decide if we will stay in the NW.

Pretty Calico, Rach.

No time off til Jan. But hopefully will have next 2 days off !!
Then I can ketch up on things, I hope.

Calicos are sweet and so is Gemini. But she's a terror sometimes, too. Fortunately, she'll be a year old pretty soon now and past the insane stage. Her brother is a doll. He's such a love and such a trooper with his disability. The CH gives him a "bob" when he focuses on things and he has to use lots of extra energy to walk. But he doesn't feel sorry for himself and neither does his sister. LOL

Mary - you had a typo. You put an extra f in there . . . "I'm very tired of these dumb shifts . . . " LOL You can tell what kind of mind I have. I had to reread your post. ROFL.

Its my tired mind, can't think, can't spell.

Oh Mary -

It was a joke . . what do you get when you remove the f from "shifts"? :-)

I know. thats what I mean, I should of left it out, works better that way.
Off today and just going to let body and mind rest.

Good. Hope you're having a fun day off.

Been playing on the computer and voting on the photos, So many great ones and so hard to chose. I should have entered some I took at Draconfly. some of the ones I did enter don't hold a candle to mine, but its fun.

whew!
Glad we have a while to browse through the photos - there are wayyyyyyy too many! It already consumed a couple hours, & I've not passed the 1/2 way mark.

question: is it really November, darker than normal earlier & 8 weeks until 2008?

How did I get here?
"This can't be Kansas..."

Belive it or not, this year has gone by way to fast, and sorry "Dorthy we not in Kansas" anymore ( I know I spelled that wrong spell check didnt work)
I just finished voting Its taken me 6 days, Awsome pics.

Okay, so I'm not nuts. 6 days? Sounds reasonable...
I guess that I will have time nor that the rain is about to start & it's too dark out when i get home from work.
ERRRRRGGGH! 4 months to go...