Well, at the risk of sounding ungrateful - I have soooo many seeds - many of them given to me by kind people at DG. There are some seeds I am unlikely to ever sow - because they are for warmer zones or have to short a flowering stage, or whatever. But, on the other hand, I feel awkward in using them in trades - I mean - what would it be like if you traded your seeds only to find out six months later they were returned to you from someone you didn't even know existed?
So, are there sort of understood rules? 'cause my little fridge is busting with seeds and I know they won't remain viable forever.
I also have extra seeds from when I ordered during 1/2 price seed sales this summer - but the seed swaps only want seed packets marked for 2008 - not 2007 (though they have been in the fridge in plastic containers since the packets arrived. Again - any ideas on rules? expectations regarding trading?
Thanks in advance
Michaela
Sooooo many seeds - what to do?
Good question; I have been on DG for a few months using the tomato forums and plant files. I have found the people here to be very friendly and helpful and whose primary concern is to share information and the love of tomatoes, especialy heirloom ones. I think most all of us reach the point where we have too many seeds and/or not enough room to plant all the varieties we want every year. Its not a matter of poor planning, just mostly getting the "fever". So don't worry about all the small stuff; most of us have been there. Trade or give away what and as you like. The only thing that might be a consideration is that if you have promised to grow out a "special" variety for some reason.
This message was edited Nov 5, 2007 3:41 PM
The technical school near me needs seeds, they have a 10,000 sq foot green house and they are re-starting their horticulture program for High School students. If interested, you can send extras to:
Kevin Tucker, Horticulture
North Tech High School
1700 Derhake Rd
Florissant, MO 63033
Thanks! Cathy4
I'm not picky about the dates like that for most individual trades. I'm willing to give them a try, heck I have oldies that I still try out because I can't find them for sale any longer and I'm hoarding them. I buy and collect a lot every year/all year so I have fresh stuff for swaps and trades though.
I sent a huge box of at least a 150 pack of older coveted/hoarded older seed to one lady who was willing to try them for postage. They filled a size 7 shoe box very snugly.
PM me, I would be interested to know what you have:)
Donna
This message was edited Nov 5, 2007 5:38 PM
If there is any left to spare, I also would give them a try. I would be happy to send you postage/SASE, stamps, whatever is best for you. I am a newbie and just looking to try different things. Thanks! Misty
I don't mind if people swap my seed for something they want/need. That is what is so great of DG. I also find that the seeds from trades germinate better than store bought ones at a fraction of the cost. Go ahead, trade the seeds you can't use. I'm sure almost all the gardeners at DG won't feel bad.
Personally speaking, I would repackage the seeds to avoid detection. Then put on a trenchcoat, hat with the brim pulled down, and dark glasses...and walk to the mailbox.
LOL-thanks for the smile Bright-to funny!
The rule of thumb is just be honest. You put them on your trade list and under notes, write that they are from a trade.
Also, on the package you can note that they are traded. This way, if a person gets them back they can understand why.
Have you added them to your Have list?
If so, I love to trade-some say I am an addict-LOL (still looking for the group to go to for seed addicts-LOL)
If you would like, D-Mail and maybe we could do a swap :o)
Bottom line, let it be know they were from a trade and all will be fine....oh and don't forget the dark glasses and the hat-you have to have that hat-LOL
Robbi
I put trade leftovers or bonus packs I can't use on my exchange list (at the other site) and indicate that they are from trades, and the year of the trade. When I start harvesting this year's seeds, I put leftover duplicates from last year in my bonus box; They've been stored in a cool, dry place, so I hate to just dump them when I can gift them to someone.
Susan, I would love to have some of your extras for my neighbor who is starting to garden. Would you be willing to share for a SASE? Thanks!
When I send seeds to someone, I don't care where they're ending up, as long as they're not getting thrown out!!! I love the thought of my plants' progeny coming up somewhere that I've probably never even been.
I'd be interested in seeing your list of seeds to trade or SASE, Michaela! I don't have much for trade actually (this is our first year down south) but would glad to send you an SASE or postage, or whatever.
Seandor, I NEVER thought I would hear you saying you have too many seeds!!!
Quick take your temperature, you must be sick. Take a couple of aspirin and think about this. LOL
I organized my seeds and found I have 230 plus the swaps I have done lately that I haven't filed yet. I still have a long way to go to catch Distantkin or Candycow, but new seeds are just so hard to resist.
LOL!
Hey dylan-don't tell on me-LOL...I brought mine down to 423 that are logged in-pretty good hugh..well that is not including the 6 RR's still to come in-LOL
Hi group, my name is Robbi and I am a seed collecting addict. It first started when I moved to my first home (in June of this year) and didn't like the plants in the yard, I found Dave's to trade and have been going down hill ever since. I now have 423 seeds in my secret stash and another 120 some off in my trade list. I don't want to be cured though-LOL
That's the bad part, none of us want to be cured.
But Robbi, do you ever plant any of these seeds, or do you just collect to trade? I hope I'm not going to become addicted, I've just packaged up my second trade, but I specifically wanted the seeds I traded for, with definite plans to plant them. Is this how it starts? Ya'll are scaring me!!
Ya aren't scaring me, but I'm sure lusting in my heart!
Lust comes before addiction.
LOL dylan.
I collect in the thought that I will plant them. It started off after planting season so I planted fast germinaters-Cosmos and African daisies etc. Then I went through my lists to find any that didn't need as much sun and planted them in the house, just to see if I could. Most of these are seeds for hotter zones-I have brugs and a parasol tree and a few more that have not come up yet, and then I did get lucky on a orange Japanese Iris and Datura. Now that it is cold I can plant many many many more and I am soooo excites. The question isn't IF I will plant, it is where in the world I will plant them in the spring-LOL, I have already informed both neighbors that I may have to use some of their yards-LOL I am not kidding either.
Have I stopped yet-heck no, if it is pretty-I Gots ta have it! LOL
Michaela,
I would be also willing to take some of your seeds for postage. If this is possible could you post a respones or please e-mail me at spunky7478@charter.net.
I have been trading seeds since July and I just can't wait until next year to harvest seeds to share. (Do we really need winter?)
spunky7478
*ponder* Well, at least all my seeds are 'useful'... that is, we can eat what comes from them! Dunno why that makes them more 'useful' in my mind than, say, roses or pretty hummingbird-attracting things, but hey, such is me.
I've been on DG for a week or two, and am mid-trade in several group trades. It's FUN!
But I've also spent over my budget on seeds this year, to get the garden really going for next year, so... *looks over shoulder to be sure noone's watching* I'm still looking for more.
*laugh* I'm a hoarder. But I do plant them!
.... I'm even borrowing a friend's garden next year, in addition to mine, to be sure of having enough distance between my husband's hot peppers and my sweet ones (along with a few other things - they have floodplain near a river, great for melons and squash).
And if we're doing SASE or trades, I don't care how often they've been traded - if even ONE SEED sprouts and gives fruit, I've got multiple packets' worth for next year, so I'm happy! :)
-Sev
here here Sev-100% agreed (one of my pet peeves is 110%-I mean-what is that anyway LOL)
Hoarders UNITE!! LOL
Thanks everyone. I am happy to know that people won't be too offended if I trade away their seeds. But now you ask me to put things into order a kind of seed list? OMG - well, I don't think I have anything like 200 packages of seeds (well, I do have a lot of seeds that I collected - but those don't count - I will probably send those to Cathy4 tech school).
But I have stuff like trailing carnations, and mystic merlin malva, and magnus echinacea all from T & M, and then there things like astillbe seeds, and shoo-fly seeds (what is this? - maybe I do want it lol)
Anyway, I am really supposed to be working right now. . . can you give me a week or two to sort everything out?
No problem...the easiest way is to use Daves have and want lists. If you go to a page of something you have, scroll down and you will see 'add to have/want list' click on add to have and it is done :o). To see your want/have list-go to my tools and click on trade list :o)
Robbi
Thanks, distantkin :-)
How can I over winter Double Red Gernaniums without having to keep the whole HUGE thing inside? Please help me out here. If someone can help me with it, I will see about saving seeds so I will have something to trade! Thanks, Misty
Well, I suppose you could take cuttings and start lots of new plants lol
oooh but be aware, that want-list is _addictive_. I need to clean mine out - I wound up going through pumpkins, and put them _all_ on it LOL
Misty, post to the propogation forum and I'll bet someone there can tell you what to do with your geraniums.
Thanks dylancgc! I need all the help I can get since I am so new to DG. I have all of them potted but one, and I am gonna try cuttings from it and see where it leads me. I will try the propagation forum. Thanks again! Misty
Sev-addictive-LOL says who-not me!!
LOL
Gardening addictive? LOL
LOOK misty-you are new and you are on at what time of night-LOL NOT addictive at all-I have a feeling you will be right there next to me at the next seed collectors annonomous (or however you spell it) meeting-LOL
ROFLMAO! Shoot, I was here this morning before I even made a pot of coffee! Lets just start a new thread called SCA! LOL
Planting in the neighbors yard, huh? I thought about asking my elderly neighbor if she minds if my cannas make it to her yard next spring! Bought some Hardy banana plants, but I don't think they are gonna make it even here, let along make it to hers!
By the way, I did take some cuttings on the geraniums. :)
LOL-I went next door and asked her if I could grow vines up her wall!! Now how sad is that-she said "SURE:!!!!" I have so many MGs that I ran out of place to grow them.
My other neighbor said I could grow a flower garden in his hard all around my privacy fence! LOL
OMG- that is so funny. I will give you space in my yard, too! LOL It will be my "distantkin" spot, growing all the ones that aren't hardy for your area! :) :) :) Coffee time, I actually made it FIRST this morning. LOL
The tea is ready, too. Who is bringing the muffins? Find a new subdivision and you will find plenty of people who would let you garden. I'll share my 2 daughter's houses, they each have a tree and a bit of grass.
Put those seeds up for trade some of the best seeds I've gotten were from older seeds I love'em!!! I have a flower out there now the the hard freeze is going to get that I've been waiting on seed forever and I started those from three year old seed was so afraid I wouldn't get seed off of them and then they were offered the other day on here, if I hadn't planted these I would have missed out on these beautiful flowers and never known what they were!
I always tell people if they don't want the seed they are free to trade them :) I try to put the year on my seeds too when I trade them just for that purpose. I'm sure everybody has come across this question a few times.
So when are you putting your list up Seandor? ;o)
cathy4-you should find growgril59 and let her garden at your daughter's! she is a st. louis-an also! LOL