Finally, made it through the tour weekend :) It went great, the rain held off until it was over. Literally started raining as people were driving down the driveway.
Got the "tiki bar" finished, including the tiki bar is open sign ;) I think I'm definatley ready to sit in it for a day LOL.
Now to concentate on our get together :) I'll even dig and divide hosta now. Didn't want to do it before the tour ;)
VA Eastern Shore Get Together/Plant Swap
well, iris bloom season is about over here. One ot two straggler blooms that I'm working on. Unfortunately, we've had unseasonably cool and damp weather, which has brought on all kinds of black spot/leaf spot on irises and roses, not to mention ten tons of weeds. So I've still got my hands full while chasing away the mosquitos that are in every puddle!
Will make reservations now - virginia Beach is about as far as we'd get anyway, I think, the first day in one long afternoon drive. I've never seen this area, and although DH was stationed in Qunatico area 25 years ago, neither has he. Sport fishing I love it! Haven't done it since I was a girl, at least not on the ocean! This should be heaven to me.
Do we have an idea of how many traders yet? Need to know how many irises I should load in.
I just read this thread today. Sounds interesting and Jody you are in one of my all time favorite areas.
Is there another thread with what different people are bringing along? I am not sure if my husband and I will be able to make it on the 7th, but sure does look interesting. I have a lot of things that I could bring, but they are probably plants that most will have already.
Will keep checking the thread.
Ruby
I'd like to attend. I don't really have anything to swap but I'd love to see what everyone has.
great orb weaver photo!
ruby, there's a swap list link on the first post of this thread. I think theres' been mostly comments about hostas, but the hostess Jody has listed tons of other perennials and pond plants. I'm bringing TB irises, and there's been some discussion on tropicals like cannas and elephant ears (alocasia and colocasia), bulbs, etc.
Of all oddities, I've got some small cedar trees potted up - I grow one or two just to hack them down and chop them up for sachets to ward off moths.
Haven't done a "head count" bonjon, just bring what you comfortably have extra of. I love sport fishing! We keep the boat at a little marina on the ocean side of the penninsual about 10 miles south of us. We are usually fishing most weekends (weather dependant of course) from mid June to mid Sept.
Hi Ruby
The other threads are linked in the first post as bonjon mentioned :) It would so wonderful if you could make it!!! Don't worry about what you have to bring though. There are going to be some brand new gardeners here who probably don't have anything and even if you couldn't bring a thing we'd love to see your smiling face sitting in the shade of the tiki bar just enjoying the company.
Welcome gail! We'd love to have you join us. Feel free to check the threads in the first post and let me know if there are plants I have listed you'd like. I do have starts of most things already dug and potted up but there are some that I haven't gotten to yet.
This message was edited May 19, 2008 4:49 PM
Oh! I mentioned the 2 nursery's in the first post. One will be very easy for anyone traveling from the North.
Well for anyone coming up from the south there is another about 20 mins south of me called Maplewoods. Pamspace and I went down there a couple of weeks ago. It's not real big but very nice plants and the prices were very reasonable. If you want to stop on the way just follow the sign for Maplewood you will see when you get to the town of Exmore. It's right off Rt13 and will be a right turn for those coming north.
Pam... thanks for the company, it was great to meet you and looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Well, I have been doing some swapping in the back ground with Bonjon. My husband just reminded me that we promised her some blackberry plants and they might be too heavy to mail........so it is looking as though we might be attending your swap also. I say also because we are already attending one this coming Saturday in Woodbridge VA.
Kubi, I have made note that you would like some Pineapple Sage. There are two things on your list that I am interested in swapping for. I have as yet had no luck with growing Liatris and would like some of yours if you have more. I also am interested in the Bee Balm cuttings. Please explain to me what you mean by cuttings? Are they just to put in a vase and enjoy or take seed from when dry? Or is there a way to have them live from cuttings? Sorry for my ignorance. I have also tried on several occasions to have these grow for me and can't have any success. I love both Liatris and Bee Balm.
Alright, sounds more and more like I will be among this group that is getting together. Jody, thank you so much for offering to host this special meeting.
Ruby
Ruby, the bee balm can be propagated by taking cuttings, but if you prefer I can dig some for you. I might have to cut them back a little just to get them in the car though-- they're up to three feet tall right now. I'd be happy to bring those and the liatris for you. So glad it looks like you're coming!
ruby that's awsome that you (hopefully) will be here!! :) :) :) I'll see ya saturday at Beckys.
Wonderful Kubi, please dig some for me. Hopefully I will have better luck that way. Also the Liatris will be wonderful to have also.
Didn't realize until a bit ago that you were going to Bec's on Saturday Jody. Wonderful. I am looking forward to meeting you then.
Ruby
My daughter's maid of honor and another bride's maid are having a shower here at my home...then I think they are heading over to VA Beach for a bachelorette party. If they leave early enough, may I still come? Might even have some great left-overs from shower. And, I will also try to bring something to swap. I'm not an expert on hostas but they seem to thrive here on my farm...must be all the horse manure!!!
We would love for you to come any time you can get here :)
Oh shoot!!!! Just hit whatever button it is that erases all that I had typed. I was just going to say that those of you who havent met Jody yet, that you are in for a treat. I met her at a plant swap yesterday and I was truly impressed with she and her mother also. I never looked Jody's way that she didn't have a great big smile on her face. That is so nice to see.
Oh my gosh!!!! I absolutely cannot bring home as much stuff from Jody's swap as I did yesterday. Our car is packed full. We were so tired when getting home that we left everything in the car and will unpack this morning.
In an hour or so we will be leaving to get together with John's family who will be celebrating their parent's 60 wedding anniversary. So, no planting for me this morning. Possibly get some planting done later today, but most likely will the most attention tomorrow.
Anyway, to those who might be reading this and haven't made up your mind on attending the swap, think again and please try to come. If this one goes off as well as the one yesterday, everyone will be very delighted.
Well, I must be off to get ready to face the day. I hope that everyone will have a wonderful day.
Ruby
I have hope at this point. Interviewing a sitter for the Boston's tomorrow. LOL I'm looking at the statement I just made and am thinking we ARE nuts! But I can't leave my furbabies for that long. So, hopefully this lady will be the answer to this situation. My old sitter moved out of state, sigh.
My three dogs are the major obstacle for our traveling too doc. I have someone who has so far been able to come and stay over night when we have left town the past few years. It just is an outrageous expense though. I hope the new lady works out for you.
Ruby
have a great Memorial Day all!
just got back last night from the spring conference for AIS (American Iris Society). Got to see Winterberry Gardens in full bloom and have come home so jazzed up. My neck acted up (chiropractor just about had it fixed, darn it all) so that put a limit to what I could and couldn't do.
have naught else to do but prepare new hosta beds and see what else in the yard needs division. Have two Elegans hostas that have grown too big for the front bed they are in, ditto on the spiderwort (redviolet). Of all things, have azaleas in bloom, again! they didn't bloom come azalea season, now they've decided to bloom! Have a Nikko Blue hydrangea about to color up - it's covered with bloom.
Hope all of you can make it. I'm excited to be going someplace I may have never been before, or at least haven't been since early childhood. y'all call it the "eastern shore" heh?
Now that last Saturday Mid Atlantic Gardeners Swap is over, I can give this swap some attention.
I have azaleas blooming now, too, bonjon! Very odd.
ruby you are just too sweet! :) I loved meeting you and john. What a great couple you are!!! Can't wait to see you again and hopefully get to chat more. There never seems to be enough socializing time at these events no matter how much time one spends there ;)
Ok, here is the "Tiki Gazebo" I've been working on. It's still not complete but it's getting there. I think it looks good stained :)
:)
Jody, it's looking great!
Laura
doccat, how did the sitter interview go? Here's hoping it went well!
Thanks Laura! I've been out there about 4 days a week, 8-12 hrs a day for the last 3 months! Phewww! Can't keep up with the weeds... as soon as I get through weeding all the yardens, they need it again :( I'm ready to just relax at the tiki bar now ;)
bonjon! Prepare new hosta beds? Are you becoming a hostaholic? ;) We will do our best to help enable you while you're here :)
Jody - I am going to be nosy and ask what the UBER under your name stands for? I am going to check on the Comfort Inn that is near your place and possibly reserve a room for Friday and Saturday evenings. As far as I know, John and I plan to come to the swap.
Is there another thread for listing what we have to trade and what we would like to have? How about refreshments and that sort of stuff? Do you need help of any sorts before Saturday? Since I only just decided to come, I don't feel as though I know the specifics that I need. Is there a map to your place somewhere, or a mailing address so that we can run driving directions on here? What else have I forgotten to ask?
Ruby
ruby, just click on the word uber and it will tell you all about it :)
In the very first post on this thread there is a link to the trading thread and to the potluck thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/823783/
I haven't worried about food too much; as you saw at Becky's, there is usually more food than needed at swaps. I will have the necesseties; plates, silverware etc. I have a few drinks, water, sweetened ice tea, coke and will have some goodies to eat.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/844997/
I don't need any help but if you are already around on Friday I would love for you to come on over! :) We can have dinner here or go to the little diner up the road or what ever. And of course as I mentioned at the swap last weekend, feel free to come as early as you'd like on Saturday. Mom and I will just be doing last minute preps and hanging out in the yarden. I think Pamspace may be here early too, though I haven't spoken with her for a bit.
I haven't posted any addy or directions. My addy does not come up on any maps or GPS yet. You can just run some general directions to Accomac, VA. I'll be dmailing my addy and specific directions from RT 13 within the next couple of days. (just gotta stay out of the yarden long enough to dmail everyone, LOL) It's fairly easy to find and get to.
These posts have some hotels listed:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4856053
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4953789
Did I miss anything?
Very interesting about the UBER status. Where in the world did you find the time to do all of that? Wow, a girl on the go. Thank you for the links. I will spend the next little bit checking them out and making my plans. I have just come in from spending a few hours outside planting things from last Saturday's swap. I still have more to do though. Hopefully I will have the first swaps plants in the ground before yours, so that I won't have so many to plant at one time.
I am looking forward to seeing you and your mother again.
Ruby
Jody, did you already say what time the festivities begin? I'm bringing one more gardener from Gloucester whom introduced herself on the Hallson Garden's forum, she is here on DG . Bellie may also ride along with us.
I've got to figure out what I have time to make to bring to the potluck.
Laura
I haven't yet figured out who I'm bringing. tggfisk is checking to see if she can come along. I know she would love to see your hostas, Jody. And she already loves my irises! I've asked mom or dad, but I haven't heard yet.
Jody -
Been out of the loop for a bit, crisis on the homefront. I WILL be there early on Saturday, so count on me for any last minute help. Am so looking forward to it. Pam
Laura, I think I said any time after 10 am, but really any time is fine. We will be here and we will be ready :)
bonjon, that would be wonderful if tggfisk could join you! The more the merrier :)
Pam, hope everything is ok!
I will get directions dmailed probably later tonight. Got em all typed in word, just got to put a list of "friends" together in dmail so I only have to send it once ;)
Jody, I finally went back and read the original topic and "got it". :-) I'm bringing two people with me, Bellie and Cindy from Gloucester, who I met on Hallson's last week. I think instead of food, I will bring folding chairs, a bag of potting soil, and some extra plant markers. We should roll in around 11-ish.
Laura
Hey Jody,
I have been lurking around here for quite sometime and think I may just venture out with Laura (largosmom) to your plant swap. I am in Gloucester, Va...and been gardening for a while. I havent decided which plants to bring, but I am sure I can find some goodies around here somewhere. I love hosta and daylillies and oh well any plant that looks good (lol)!! I dont know if I have as much as others are bringing, but I will do my best!!
I will let you and laura know definitely if I am coming next week.
thanks
wild (cindy)
Cindy, hope you can make it :)
Oh my gosh, you are an early bird today also Jody. I just finished reading all of my favorite threads, so need to get up and begin doing some of the things that are on my list for the day. I will be attending a birthday party this afternoon for my granddaughter Emily who turned one year old yesterday. I can imagine all the goodies that she will receive. I just hope that lack of sleep won't interfere with the festivities.
Have a good day all.
Ruby
Yeah, I'm an early bird... Love to watch the sunrise :) Have fun at the birthday party!
Directions have been sent. If you didn't get them let me know.
If anyone else thinks they may like to join us and needs directions dmail me.
Unfortunately, I can't attend after all. I have unexpected company coming that weekend. I'm really sorry I can't be there because it sounds like a fun time will be had for all -- as well as lots of plants. Maybe next time. Betty
Sorry to hear you can't make it Betty. Have a great time with your company though :)
Hope you can make it Cindy!
LOL - this ought to be a hoot !!!
- never firmed up a hotel, since I didnt' know who would come with me
- don't have a vehicle confirmed, as both went in shop yesterday and day before; plants are stacked up in shade "awaiting their carriage"
- haven't finished digging, wanted to pluck up roses late, nothing large enough to pot them in
- just reviewing my bring list, realized I never decided what to bring to the potluck
this is sounding more and more like my college days, when I'd decide to go and not have a plan in the world! LOL
except that I'm bringing as many irises for those new beginner gardeners mentioned here as may fit in