It's that time again...come one, come all to a plant swap at MacArthur Park (on loop 410) on March 21st. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends when we all get tired of talkin' and swappin'. Bring your own lunch. There is no admission, but we do pitch in donations to offset the fee for the pavillion.
This early notice should give you time to split and pot up some plants to trade or start some seeds if you are so inclined.
Anything goes as long as both people trading are in agreement. There are usually seeds, bulbs, cuttings and potted plants. I, for one, will trade plants for empty pots, too!
Hope to see some of you fine DGers there. Would love to "pick your brains" in person.
If you want to see what folks are bringing go here.... http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/con011235202805.html?33
Tonya
This message was edited Feb 20, 2009 10:36 AM
San Antonio Plant Swap
Tonya, Congratulations on hosting a swap for your area, I hope everyone responds and it will be a very good one, I for right now can't say whether I can make it, but I wish you great success.
Josephine.
Thanks Josephine. Can't say that I am hosting it though, just spreading the word. It was started by a group on Garden Web and they are very gracious to let non-GWers come, too. This is their 6th bi-annual swap. I went in the fall and had a lot of fun. Came home with lots of plants and lots of new knowledge. I actually subscribed to GW just so I could be in contact about this! I haven't heard of any swaps hosted by DGers in this area.
I know SA is a bit of a drive from Arlington, but would love to meet you in person if you can make it.
Well, I guess I misunderstood, but you could really start one in your area, it is not that hard.
I'm sure that's true, but this one was so great last fall that it fits the bill already. Thanks for your confidence, though!
This sounds great. I'm looking forward to it.
LiseP
Great Lise, I look forward to meeting you in person! You can bring picks of everything you've done to that front bed! OK, no pressure...
I would really like to make it to the RU. The CS RU is really fun but a very long drive. I don't know yet what I'll be doing on March 21 yet. I'll dmail you.
***Bump***!
Just thought I'd bump this again. If you want to see what some folks will be bringing, go here.....http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/con011235202805.html?33
Two weeks until the swap in San Antonio!
There's room for more folks. If you don't have many plants to trade, you can also bring gardening supplies, baked goods, pots, seeds, etc! We've got some interesting lists posted already, too. So be sure to check the thread in the first post.
Come on out to the park, y'all. Enjoy beautiful spring weather with fellow gardeners and take home some wonderul plants!
Tonya
Just a note about the sad passing of another DG subscriber. Carolyn2733 (Carolyn Fennell) tragically passed away on February 18, 2009. I became aware of this yesterday when another DG member who had been a friend of hers for some time mentioned her passing. Anyone who knew her or with a pending trade, please refer to a note on her DG page posted by a family member at the bottom of the page...
http://davesgarden.com/members/Carolyn2733/
I was looking forward to meeting her on the 21st. So sad!
Sorry to hear about Carolyn. Does anybody have a picture of her? I don't know if I ever met her.
someone needs to let admin know so they will post an "in memorium" (sp?) on her member page and keep it there forever
I already notified Melody and they are getting it together.
Josephine.
Oh, thanks! Everyone, please remember to put your seatbelt on wherever you go. The report on Carolyn's one-car accident said she didn't have hers on, which seems odd, since she was a nurse. I don't think she had been on Dave's such a long time and probably didn't post much, so might not be much remembered here. But to my friend, she was a very, very special person and that makes her special to me.
I, too enjoyed corresponding with Carolyn and her member page lists some wonderful comments from folks who had glowing reviews of her and her trading. I am glad they will be putting a memoriam on her page. I am really sad that I didn't have the opportunity to meet her in person.
Tonya
Wow, I somehow missed the link of 'who is bringing what' until today, and as a newbie, I'm, well, somewhat overwhelmed. I didn't realize that folks were sort of arranging swaps ahead of time. Is it okay to just show up on the day, with a few things that I haven't necessarily already offered/declared/arranged (or in some cases, even identified) ahead of time?
LiseP
Hi Lise, not a problem at all. Fell free to just show up with your goodies and swap then. As for anything on my list, you can still ask me to set them aside for you, if you know something in particular you are interested in. I don't mind doing that and then looking at what you have when we get there. You will find that we are a pretty flexible group. I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Tonya
Oh, yes, quite a few people do that! Some like to pre-trade, but it's not necessary.
Oh good! Maybe in the remaining days before the swap, I'll be able to post a few things, but as a relaxed, clueless and disorganized newbie, I am relieved that I can also just 'wing it'! LOL.
One more week folks! Just thought I'd bump this to catch the eye of any San Antonio and area gardeners that were not aware of this swap or had forgotten. See the link in the first post for info on pretrades. See y'all there!
Tonya
LisaP,
I just love your comment above! I completely identify with it as a fellow clueless, disorganized, and relaxed newbie! Thank you nbgard for assuring us it's ok to show up!!
Glad we'll see you there Erin! The more the merrier!
Tonya
I'm just happy it wasn't scheduled for today! I did go outside a number of times today, but I had my nice warm coat on. By next weekend there should be highs in the seventies again. Perfect!
Yes I think it will be beautiful "sit at the park" weather. Not too hot, not too cold.
*bump*
Tomorrow is the big day! Following are some things to remember: (copied from a post on GW regarding this swap)
Posted by roselee z8 SW Texas (My Page) on Thu, Mar 19, 09 at 16:21
Thought I'd repost this as a reminder so you won't forget to bring a lunch and something to drink, mark the plants you are bringing with their names, have some boxes to take your plants home in, a note pad for taking notes on culture, as well as good plant swapping etiquette.
Hints, Etiquette, and Other Stuff
Posted by castro_gardener 8b (My Page) on Thu, Feb 19, 09 at 10:14
Hello All! Just a few reminders that will help us all have a nicer swap experience. After 10 years of hostessing and attending these swaps I've learned a lot from others.
When you arrive, please seek out the hostess if we don't greet you first. Especially if you haven't been before. Any of us will help you with any questions you might have. Get a name tag, sign up for door prizes, and if we have one, sign the list for future notifications of swaps.
Don't forget to bring a sack lunch. We'll need sustenance for continued swapping !
We will have door prizes. If you'd like to donate to our stash, please bring a new or gently used gardening item. We usually include things like fertilizer, gloves, tools, outdoor decorations, books, etc.
Garden Junk and Garden Art is also welcome for trading. Hoses, trellises, rusty buckets, signs, you name it ! We've had people bring homemade soap, mosaic pots, and other great items.
We welcome donations to help pay for the rental of the pavilion. Although it is voluntary, please consider that you're leaving the swap with plants that would have cost so much more at a nursery. A few dollars in the jar will go far to help us rent this nice pavilion in the fall.
You may consider bringing cardboard boxes to haul home your booty. You may end up taking home more than you bring, and it's not always easy to get it all back in your car. Packing in boxes will allow you to stack them and keep your plants safe.
Bring something to use for labeling the plants you receive. Old window blinds are excellent for this purpose ! They last forever and they're kept out of landfills.
On that note, please label your plants for others. It saves a lot of time at the swap. You don't have to tell everyone what each plant is, since they already have names on them.
Another helpful hint, which takes more time, but is great to have: consider putting a notebook together of your plants. Add pictures and descriptions of each plant you bring. Over time, you can add to it as you accumulate different types of plants. This also saves time at the swap. Others can view your notebook to see what a certain plant will look like.
While swapping, please don't take plants off other's tables without asking. They may be across the room promising that same plant to someone else. Please find the owner and ask permission. Everyone's different, of course, and may bid you take whatever you like. But it's good to err on the side of caution, and ask anyway.
Plants under the tables are not for swapping. This is where we place the plants we're taking home.
Some plants are special and rare and the swapper may want something special in return. This is understandable. On the other hand, some of us don't always need something in return. Please consider everyone's feelings while swapping.
Last but not least, have a good time. Make new friends ! I've met really great folks at the swaps and we're still swapping 10 years later !!
If you can't make the San Antonio swap, consider the swap just up the road in Buda in April. I'll be there, too.
patty
I've never been to a swap meet so I'd like to come just as a spectator to learn what to expect for when I want to swap plants.
Would this be OK or no? I would be more than willing to donate to the kitty.
Thanks
Jerry
Jerry, I'd be happy to meet you. I've enjoyed your photos and posts. Come on down! Do you know where it is?
Jerry, please do come! I have actually been hoping to meet you anyway since we are almost neighbors. I'm in New Braunfels and also have some land in Spring Branch. Feel free to just come observe and if you're feeling adventurous and have some plants just sitting around that you don't want anymore or even seeds you're not going to use, toss 'em in your vehicle and see what happens. No pressure of any kind. We always have fun just shootin' the breeze about gardening stuff, too.
I've enjoyed your posts on several different threads. Will look forward to pickin' your brain on stuff.
Tonya
MacArthur Park (on loop 410) on March 21st. It starts at 9 a.m
I don't have a clue where this is without an address to map it.
Jerry
2700 Chisholm Trail, San Antonio, TX
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=San+Antonio&state=TX&address=2700+Chisholm+Trail
I wanted to come to this but I have to work tomorrow.:( Hope to meet atleast some of you at the CS RU.
Change in plans. I won't be coming today after all.
My nerves start breaking apart inside Loop 1604 cause of traffic. Also the amount of work left to do for planting in the garden tells me I really need to stay home and do that. I still have to make rows (by hand) for peppers, southern peas, green beans, okra, and cantaloupe. I need to get planting tubs ready for cukes and squash.
This is over whelming. All of a sudden I am way behind in this game.
I will definitely make the Buda event, weather permitting. Please post up the date and time for this event when y'all find out.
Jerry
Silverfluter and Jerry, sorry you won't make it to day, but we sure understand. I'm planning on being in Buda, so I'll meet you there Jerry. I'll post info on that in the next day or so. Silverfluter, I'm thinking College Station will be a bit farther than I want to drive this year, especially since I'll probably have more plants than I'll ever need from these other two swaps. I'm sure we'll have another opportunity to "swap" plants and tales. May both of you have a blessed day.
It's not too late if anyone else wants to join us!
Tonya
I'm quickly gathering up some stuff, then heading out the door! I can't stay 'cause of the AV sale in Austin, but I'll drop some things off . . . I've got those roots for you, Tonya . . .
Thanks for organizing this. I enjoyed meeting people, and trading for pots!
Kendalia
I missed the exit this morning, and after that there were no more exits from 410! I figured I'd get back from Austin in plenty of time, but that didn't quite work out!
Hey Kendalia, So glad you enjoyed it. Can't take credit for organizing it as I just spread the word around. There will be another one in the spring. I'll post about it then. Hope you can join us again!
Syrumani, sorry you missed it! I hope you had fun in Austin, though! Maybe you can make the spring swap.
Tonya