I checked the calendar of events, but I did not see any current dates. Is there going to be a RU near Austin or San Antonio this year? CSRU is to far for me right now and I was hoping one would be closer.
Thank you,
Dana
RU ? On Future Locations
Why don't you have an RU? Betcha lots of people would love to come to Fredericksburg for one! All you have to do is provide a couple of PortaCans and maybe some tables, some shade and everyone provides everything else. You can do it!
Ann
Maybe in the future, but not this year. Way to much on my plate as it is. Plus, I would like to go to one first and see what all is done. ; )
Hi Dana! We are having fall plant swaps in both San Antonio (October 10th) and in Buda just south of Austin (don't know the date of that one yet). I've been to both and they are lot's of fun, very informal and friendly. I usually try to post about the upcoming swaps when they get closer so you can watch for those or d-mail me closer to the timing of them and I'll be glad to get you all the pertinent info. Would love to have you join us! Both of them have some folks that do prearranged swaps in threads on GardenWeb. I have enjoyed that, but you can also just bring your plants on the day of the swap and do all of your trading that day.
I saw your post about tree's too. I don't have any to trade, but got a great deal on a clearance satsuma orange a few months back right near you at the Wildseed Farms. Might be worth giving them a call ever so often, to check on what they have.
Tonya
I try when I can. They are expensive on some things, but I will keep an eye on them. I got 2 lemon drop trees on clearance ($10) and I am rooting a Meyer lemon. Then I have pomegranates started and of course apples, peaches, plums, and pears. I just wanted to get more citrus and I know I will have to protect them b/c we get so cold. It is so hard to find some of the nut and citrus trees around here and then I can not order them. I have some pecans, but I can always find room for more! I would love to go to the swap in San Antonio. I bet I could even get my husband to go to the one in Buda and hit the big hunting store up there!! LOL ; )
Great, I look forward to meeting you in person! Thw swap in Buda is just a few blocks from Cabella's. I bet he'd have a blast. I know you would!
The problem is we both would be running back and forth from Cabella's to flowers! LOL We would be worn out!! ; ) So, basically I can start things from seeds and cuttings and just bring to swap? Vines, flower, trees, etc. (trumpet vine, confederate jasmine, hot pokers, etc) I just wanted to get started so I know I have something to swap.
Thanks,
Dana
You can bring plants from seed/cuttings or some you have divided of your existing plants. I have even seen people bring parts of six packs that they bought and didn't need all of. Also, people bring other gardening type stuff to trade, like pots, books, tools, etc. Some plants are very small and some are big ones that the owners just don't want anymore. There are really no hard and fast rules as long as both traders are satisfied with the trade. There are also many plants that just get given away, especially toward the end of the day, because people don't want to tote them back home.
That's funny about Cabella's. Of course he could go scope it out for any specials and then take you with him when the swap is over! DH's are also great to have at the swaps to help unload and load!
I live in New Braunfels so I am just about in the middle of both swaps, relatively convenient for me since there is not one here.
Thanks for the info - I will get started and plan on being at the one in SA. I will try to get to the Buda one also. I will keep checking in and if you hear the date on Buda - please let me know!!
Thanks,
Dana
Hi, nbgard - I'm in Driftwood, (near Salt Lick BBQ south of Austin - and I'd love to attend that swap meet in Buda. I've never participated in one before, although I used to be heavily involved in trading water plants via mail. I'll have a lot of babies that need new homes by the end of the summer, but I don't want to look like a complete idiot at my first swap-meet! Can you give me some pointers when the time comes? Anne
I'll give you all the pointers you want, Anne, but there is no way you could look like a complete idiot. Everyone is very gracious and helpful and there is plenty of info before hand to make you feel comfortable even before you come. The atmosphere is very relaxed from one standpoint, although it may feel a little crazy when you first get there, because you want to hurry up and get your own stuff set up so you can go see what wonderful goodies everyone else brought. It's fun crazy, though. Both swaps also have drawings for door prizes and even though it's free to get in, they do accept donations to help pay for cost of the pavilion rental.
Both swaps are hosted by folks that usually converse on GardenWeb.com. so once a thread has been started about it on that site, I put up a thread here with info and a link to that thread. They are all glad to have anyone come to the swaps, whether you are on either site or just someone who heard about it throught the grapevine.
At any rate, I'll be glad to answer any questions you (or anyone else) have at any point in time.
Tonya
Tonya
So, we pick a spot and set up a table with goodies or bring wagon and travel?
Pick a spot, yes. At the SA swap, tables are already in the pavilion. At Buda, you need to bring your own. Wagons are helpful to load and unload, but you don't have to tote your plants around for everyone to see. It's kind of like setting up your own "booth" at a fair for people to look at your plants. Part of the time you are at your table "hawking your wares" and part of the time you walk around to other people's tables to see what they have to offer. If you see something you want, you tell the person you would like it then they either go see if you have something they would like in trade, or sometimes they just say "please take it off my hands!" and expect nothing in trade.
Another fun element is the pretrades. This is where some people list what they will be bringing on a thread and other folks pipe up and say "I want that!" In that case, we label those plants with that person's name ahead of time and just make sure we get that to them at the swap. Not everyone has time or a desire to do this part. Some just show up with their plants and that is just fine. I like the pretrades because there are so many plants that I am not familiar with that I can look up on PlantFiles to see if I would really want it.
Neat!! That would be me - I need pretrades so I can research. Well. I will start getting some perennials started and go from there. I am excited!!
I'm glad you are excited Dana. It really is a lot of fun and one of the best ways for a frugal gardener (like myself) to really fill in flower beds and the veggie garden with varieties that I probably would never purchase.
I did not even think about the veggie garden! I guess I will pack seeds also. Thank you for all the info!! ; )
Oh yes, seeds are traded also. You're more than welcome.
That sounds great, everyone. I'm Whoopdedeaux on Gardenweb, btw, and I'll check out the info there.