During our conversation, Wayne mentioned that it seems we usually get together on the last Saturday of September (29th), or the first Saturday of October (6th).

I say we start with those two dates and get feedback from those who are planning to attend. Either are fine with me.

As far as location, Oak Mtn. State Park seems be the overwhelming favorite of most, although there have been exceptions in the past.

Nelson

Either date and the OM location are fine with me.
Susan

Either date is good with me also. It will be good to see you at a swap again Wayne! I think of you when I look at all the hostas and other things I've got from you.

Todd

the first weekend in October would be best for me and I would love to be back at OM. I lookforward to seeing everyone.

oct. 6 works for me. sep. 29 is ok also.

wayne

Saturday, October the 6th is the date most mentioned, so I say we go with that. We usually begin assembling at 10am and have lunch around noon. I guess we need to decide what's for dinner, how big a pavilion we'll need, etc. I believe the small one we had a couple of swaps before was $40 and the larger ones we've rented the past couple of times are $80. IMO, we need a few more commitments before springing for the $80 one.

(Thought I'd check out the new photo feature on GW and include a picture of our dearly departed friend, Jan. Hope that's OK.)

Hi ya'll :)

I'm kinda new to this site and not sure how the plant swap works...if I would be able to join how many plants would I need to bring to swap?...are there guidelines or rules?...and are kids allowed also?...I'm in lower AL (Florala) and not sure whether we'll be able to show or not but I'd like to try if possible...I may have lots of seeds but I'm a bit short on potted plants I have to swap as I've been trading my extras out in trades and sharing with my neighbors...I didn't even think about a plant swap so haven't saved any back really...so I may be able to get some to swap between now and then if i'd be able to go and participate...please fill me in on how this works and what i'd need to know...thanks, Dianne

hey dianne----we call it a plant swap, but we'll trade anything related to gardening. i looked at your trade list and you have plenty, seeds are good. i'llget with you later on what i want. check my list. we trade some on line ahead of time and bring more to trade on site. i drive 120 mi. to the swap and it's worth it.

wayne

Thanks Wayne :) ... I talked to my hubby about it and he said we could probably swing the trip...I'm a little new to this kinda thing so I may need someone to help walk me through it to begin with lol...i'll go through in the next few days and make sure my trade list is up to date...and check everyone's trade list for their wants so i'll be keeping an eye out for any good priced "want" items that I don't have...and even if I don't come home with a lot of plants I still love the chance to meet new people and make new friends and hopefully there will be others there that are experienced gardeners who can give tips on things lol...sometimes it's easier to understand when you talk to someone in person...thanks for answering me back :)

Dianne: Kids are welcome and you are welcome, with or without anything to swap. If you have seeds to bring, well and good, but just your presence is enough till you get the hang of it. Come get acquainted and have fun.

It won't be the same without Jan.

I had knee surgery last December and two hernias repaired three weeks ago. On top of the hot, dry weather this summer, that has really put a kink in my gardening, but I may be able to find enough plants to bring. Will have to check and update my list. I'm going to plan on coming and hope that it works out. Hope to see everyone then.

Alice

Thanks all for being so generous and open hearted!!...Somehow it just doesn't seem fair that I won't have a lot to offer but I am looking forward to meeting everyone if something doesn't happen to stop us from going...hope things start looking up for you Alice...gonna try my hand at rooting some things but i'm not very experienced at it so ya'll wish me luck lol

Moonfire,
I am interested in the following seeds:
Swamp Hibiscus, Cascabel pepper, acorn squash, false yellow lupine,Cassia alata and double purple datura.

I see that you are interested in houseplants. I have Sanseveria trifasciata (Mother in law's tongue/snake plant) short variety, Opuntia (bunny ears cactus and another spiny plant that I haven't identified yet. You can also take a look at my trade lists.

Please let me know if you are interested in a trade.
Thanks,

Susan

Alice,
I'm glad you are coming to the swap. It doesn't matter if you bring anything or not. It will be good to see you and I will bring you something. I hope Kenneth and some of your gardening friends will attend the swap as well.

Susan.

Hi Susan...it's nice to meet you :)...I've set aside the cascabel peppers for you...you got the last of them...so i will have to remember to go take them off my list or put "out" beside them...the double purple datura's are gone :( ...if i'd have known anyone here would want them or that I'd be doing this I wouldn't have traded so many seeds and saved a lot more back...i had 1 pack left and it went out a couple of weeks ago...forgot to take it off my list...i have the acorn squash tho and the swamp hibiscus, false yellow lupine, and cassia alata...how many seeds of those are you wanting?...I'll put them in an envy and hold them back for you :)

I have no snake plant or bunny ears and have been tempted to buy a snake plant many times from walmart or lowe's but have held out, always telling myself that next time i'll get it...i'm one of these people that walk around and put it in the buggy and then make another round putting things back because i change my mind and feel guilty for spendin the money hahaha...it's good for me when hubby is with me as he either says "put it in the buggy and let's go" or "not today"...he doesn't like the back and forth...he's a get in and get out kinda guy...wow that's a lot of words just to say "yes I'd love a snake plant" :D ...i'd also like the bunny ears and the other cactus too if you wouldn't mind...i don't want to be greedy tho!

I'm looking so forward to meeting all of ya'll in person :)

I will bring you the three plants.

I don't know how easy the seeds are to germinate. I'm guessing 20-25 of each will probably be fine.

Thanks,
Susan

where are all the gardeners ? it looks like a small pavilion
will be more than adequate, maybe just a picnic table !
FOOD--i was thinking chicken, biscuits, potato salad, sliced tomatoes,desert. what do you think ? i could bring homemade
biscuits and sliced tomatoes.

wayne

Hubby said we can pick up chicken when we get there and we can bring an easy desert like brownies or cookies or something since we'd be driving a little ways...don't want to take time to cook anything too big and then it ruin on the trip...

please let me know where to send our part of the rental $ for the pavilion or table... :)

I'll call Oak Mountain State Park tomorrow and inquire about renting a pavilion. The one I have in mind is on an entirely different part of the park - the peaceful side of the mountain (Oak Mountain Lake - which is accessible from Highway 119 in less than 2 minutes).

When my family rented it on Sept. 8th for my b'day it was $45.00 and seats about that many. Believe me, it is a VERY nice, secluded area with canoe and 2-person kayak rentals on a very large and scenic lake. I think we'd all enjoy it, but that's up to ya'll. Let me know ASAP.....

Nelson

nelson---sounds good to me,DO IT.

wayne

Sounds perfect. Thanks for seeing about it.

Please go ahead and rent it. It sounds great!

Susan.

Hi all,

Well, the "Mallard" pavilion my family rented is already taken but, there is another $45.00 pavilion available on the same lake that is probably better anyway -it's closer to the lake, real restrooms, and the boat rental office! It's the "Beaver Pavilion" pictured below, is said to seat 20, but I would encourage bringing lawn chairs anyway.

Let's do this thing. Yes, we've lost many generous traders over a very short period of time, but I still look forward to seeing each and every one of you, new traders included.

Their policies have changed in that the rental is due up-front and is non-refundable. I'll go out on a limb and reserve it tomorrow (Sept. 21st) using a friends credit card (I no longer own one), in hopes that everything turns out alright with regard to the weather, attendance, etc.

Again, I look forward to seeing ya'll again, and let's plan on spending the day together. We have the pavilion until sundown, and I do believe ya'll will enjoy this area of the park as much, or better, than where we usually meet.

Your friend,

Nelson

NICE! Looks better than where we were last year and has plenty of room to set up our plants. We'll be sure you get your money back, no matter what. Thanks again.

Re food: I'll bring slaw and carrot salad.

Tell your friend a super thank you for us and please let me know where to send you our part of the rental...unless you want us to just bring it when we come...we don't have credit cards either so i know how it is to do something spur of moment without one :) ...as catbird said we won't leave you stuck with it...i've been in the same boat before and have a friend that orders online for us when we have to...

That spot is beautiful :) Good choice!

This thread is getting so long and covers so many things I thought it might help to separate out the food plans. To see what's for lunch and add your contribution, go to the thread at the link posted below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lunch planning thread

Whoops I must be doing something wrong...that link brings me right back here to this page lol

OOPS. Guess that's because I put in the wrong link. Sorry. Here's the right one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Correct link to the food thread

Moonfire,

Thanks for the offer, but we'll divide the pavilion cost once we have a head count on swap day.

I plan on bringing you several "elephant ears" in 1-gallon pots or larger, including alocasias 'Cucullata', 'Macrorrhiza', and 'Poradora', and colocasias 'Coal Miner' and 'Purple Stem' (maybe others as they get established).

I'm interested in the following seeds if you still have them: sunflowers, zinnia, bachelor button, cypress vine, red sesbania and senna alata cassia - just bring whatever you have.

Looking forward to meeting you and your husband....

Nelson

Thanks bunches Nelson :) I'm amazed with EE's lol and our son will be happily surprised as he will probably claim them as his ... we plan on getting up really early and making the drive as the 5th is our high school homecoming and Garry (hubby) is escorting one of the girls on the homecoming court...normally dads, granddads, uncles, brothers or family get that honor but this girl's dad is away and so as one of our daughter's friends that is like one of our kids we get the honor :)

Alice,
Please ask your gardening friends to take a look at our plant and seed lists and to post theirs. I'd like to bring something to share with them. I can also pot extras for your spring swap, if you want them at this time. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Susan

Susan: I'm encouraging our newbies to sign up with gardenweb, but you know how it is figuring out how to do all that. For now, I'm mostly just trying to get them to come and get involved. Kenneth and I will help them get set up for the Spring swap. This time they'll just have fun doing on-the-spot swaps and catch as catch can.

The Master Gardeners here would love to have plants/seeds/large or interesting pots for our spring sale, so bring 'em on! Whatever the swappers don't take we'll bring back for the greenhouse. The volunteers repotted amaryllis bulbs for days after we brought them back from the last swap.

So far, the weather looks perfect for next Saturday: 76 degrees, 0% chance of rain! Keep your fingers crossed that it will stay that way.

Just a quick ?

If I can get some white rainlilies how many would be interested in them?...I'm not making any promises as I'm not sure how many I can get but if it all works out well I can bring them to the swap...just needed to know if there would be any interest in them before i go about digging them up as i may have to get permission to do so...it shouldn't be a big deal or any trouble but i didn't want to take more than i could use/give away as they're not on my land...thanks, Dianne

I would love some white rain lilies.
Susan

I wouldn't turn any down ;-D

Okie dokie...I have Susan and Nelson for white rain lilies so far :)

Another ? ...We planted a fall/winter veggie garden and some of the veggies are coming up really good and we're gonna need to move some of the ones that are growing to pots because of spacing...I am very willing to share these veggies...here is what I can share if any are interested...

Spinach-Mustard Tendergreen (4)
Jersey Cabbage (2)
Curled Leaf Mustard (4)
Purple Top Turnips (4)
Mustard (4)

with the rain we've been having they've been growing faster than i thought they would...they went from itty bitty sprouts to decent sized starts overnight it seems...if we get more rain I may be able to share more...

I know it may be weird to offer veggies/produce plants lol...I just wanted to offer since I have them :)

Debbie,

It's not weird at all - people have offered their first-born child for the right plant ;-) It's weird to not have anything to offer.

We've had people bring homemade canned goods (veggies, jellies, etc.)...you name it. Some of my most valued items are pieces of driftwood that Wayne & Sandra brought me - I even soak them in water-seal every year so they won't rot.

If ya' got it - bring it!

Kenneth sent me this picture of us coming home from a plant swap, even without stopping at any nurseries.

Be sure to take pictures so that they can be posted here! Have a wonderful time, you all.

DITTO......rhizo 1. Please, post a lot of pictures. A PICTURE DOES SPEAK A THOUSAND WoRdS. Seeing the swap will be soooooo great. Thank you all for the little look into your plant world. From the side lines......enjoy! joseph

I will be there with plants, my husband and his truck, possibly a child or two and my camera. I will load what I can remember.please be patient... life is a little unpredictable. See you all there.

Fun swap today! Perfect weather and a good turnout. We missed some of you old timers, but enjoyed getting to know some newbies. There were pictures taken which will be posted when everyone has a chance to wind down.

We loved the pavilion and appreciated Nelson's reserving it for us. It was so nice, we want to go ahead and set a date for next Spring so we can reserve it now (or the larger one next to it if more people are interested). Watch for a new thread on that soon.