DATE: June 3, 2006. the first Sat in June.

RAIN DATE: June 10, 2006

TIME TO START: 10 am and we will go till we decide it's time to go home. LOL I'm already home.

LOCATION: Billerica, MA.
I will e-mail directions to those that want to come directly
about a week before the swap.

.

I really want to keep this as simple and friendly as possible. No big formal thing.

So, I have a big and I mean big long driveway that can be used to pull in and unload all your stuff, then pull out and park on the street, which is a dead end and walk back to the house.

Pick a spot in the side or front of the house to set up all your plants. I have a carport to put any that really need all shade and sun wouldn't be good for them.

When we think everyone is here that we expect to come, we can introduce ourselves, tell what we have in plants and then just swap with each other. I FEEL THAT THOSE WITH NO PLANTS TO SWAP WITH SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE HOME WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TOO. So unless prior arrangements for swaps where made with someone coming, everyone can just start taking plants.

Be sure to bring boxes or something to bring your plants and stuff home with. Based on last years swap, you will no doupt need lots of boxes, etc. to bring stuff home in.
All of my plants will be winter sown seeds. I expect to have tons of extra seedlings to send home with everyone, both annuals and perennials.

A good idea for those that are new to this is to make sure that your plants are labeled with their name, and such info as height, sun requirements etc. if possible. I will try to have some print out info on mine and will have some seed catalogs we can look things up in as well.

I have some chairs, about 10 we can use, so it may be a good idea to bring some if you want to sit.

Last year many of us brought some drinks and food goodies with us to Maries to share. Seems like everyone brought something. plates, napkins, cups, coffee, bagels, cream cheese, popsicles because it was so hot, ice water, coolers. I think there was a fruit bowl, cookies, brownies etc.
I have a couple of coolers and we can use the tables that I brought to Marie's too.
Oh, yes, someone brought alot of name tags and a sharpie so we could right our names and GW name on them and Dewiff had a digital camera and she took some great picks.

Must warn you though, my house is a disaster on the outside and a mess on the inside. Will try and straighten as best I can. My lawn is pretty much non existent, but since I found winter sowing, that disaster of a lawn looks good to me. Easier to dig up and make new flower beds. Looks better and cheaper than the expense of a beautiful lawn. Yup, I got beautiful flowers and horrible lawn, so will make me some more flower beds and have less of a horrible lawn.
I should be able to have some forsythia cuttings for anyone who wants some. Easy to root and beautiful if they are kept under control. Is it you Greening who hates them?

OK, there's the basic info, so everyone, let's get the ball rolling and join in. who's coming from last year and who is knew? I warn all that if my WS seedlings are like last year I will have well over 50 seedlings that will need new homes.

Fran

One thing that works great for those with color printers is to go to an online catalog and look up the plants you're giving away and print that page out, so people can see at a glance what it looks like and all the other data. Someone did that last time and it was a brilliant idea.

Name tags double for emergency labels of plants, or I can bring some masking tape and a sharpie.

Sheila, hope you and your sister can come. Bring what ever you have.

Greening, overgrown ancient forsythia growing in the wrong places are bad news. I love mine and keep it really hacked down too. Wish I had put the rooted seedlings in a different location than I did 25 years ago. It was perfect at the time, until I got this great idea to widen the driveway a few years ago. Now it's right at the edge of one side and really gets a hack job every year.

Great idea about the printer and info.

Looking forward to seeing you and anticipate even more seedlings for the swap this year than I had last year. Same ones and lots of new ones too. Now if they would only start to sprout. The weather has been so crazy this year. Should start to see some green any day now.

Fran

I FEEL THAT THOSE WITH NO PLANTS TO SWAP WITH SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE HOME WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TOO. So unless prior arrangements for swaps where made with someone coming, everyone can just start taking plants.

My list will certainly include gaura, verbena bonariensis, angelica archangelica, caryopteris, and thyme, and I may have some slightly more unusual things like crambe cordifolia, a couple of interesting hydrangeas and possibly winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima, which is blooming now but should normally be even earlier. It is NOT the invasive yellow vine type, but a large shrub).

Once I know for sure that I can come, and as it gets closer to the date, I'd like to check on a few things to see if anyone wants them; they're things I won't dig unless I know they'll be used.

Thanks so much for hosting this, Fran! I wish you lived a little further south, but it should still be under 2 hours for me - WELL worth the drive, if only to meet more garden webbers.

How about if I bake something yummy to eat and bring that to make up for my lack of plants? :)

This sounds like fun. Thank you for coordinating this!

A friend of mine comes up from Brewster to conferences beside the Lahey Clinic and she makes it in 1 hour and 15 minutes. I'm only about 15 minutes or so from there if you use route 3A, but should be quicker if you get off 128 and go north on Rt 3.

Boitaapplebum, something yummy to eat sounds great and a welcome addition, with or without plants.

Greening, labels, masking tape, sharpie all sound great. Having a teacher in the house also provides the opportunity for plenty of sharpies too. Never have to many of them, and find they dry out really quickly, once you start using them. Could be I never get the caps on tight though.

Those WS flats are sprouting now. Alyssum, blue thimble gilia, red hardy hibiscus, prennial babies breath, toadflax.
The fun begins now and still have tons of annuals going out.

Hope to have a bumper crop of seedlings for the swap.

Fran

I'm not sure what I will be bringing, but it will likely be potted. And it will probably be stuff you have, but may be colors/varieties you don't have...

I have tons of:
iris sibrica
Hosta (refuse to specify! lol)
I have tons of other things, too. But a lot of them have yet to reveal themselves... so you'll have to patient/trusting.

As it was last year... my goal is to leave with nothing in the back of the wagon. I am totally into "offloading".

I can't help but wonder if there will be Iris sibirica sprouting along rte. 95.... ;)

Interested in sedums, esp. "Autumn Joy".

Bigdaddybondo, Hope we'll see you this year. Last spring we where a fairly small group, I think it was about 10 of us. None of us had ever gone to a swap befoe and we just sort of winged it. The fall swap was much larger, I'm told, as I couldn't attend. I don't know how large this swap will be at this point, but do know that there will be at least 10 people including myself coming. Of those 10, 3 did not attend the spring swap, live across the street from me and next door, and their WS seedlings are in my back yard. We work as a threesome with WS and put all the containers in one location. LOL, they are all in my yard.
No need to start extra seeds unless you want to. You are welcome to come with or without seedlings. As my pal Chelone says " As it was last year... my goal is to leave with nothing in the back of the wagon. I am totally into "offloading". Great minds think alike. My goal is to have all my seedlings for the swap find new homes, nothing stays that I set up for the swap. If things are like they where last year for me, there will be atleast
more than 50 seedlings just from my yard.

Chelone, are those the same iris you had last year at Marie's? If so bring quite a few of them. the ones I got from you, I don't think made it through the winter. Some critter kept digging them up on me all summer. Moved them to 4 different locations and the digging kept going on. I'd love several of them and no at least 1 other person who want some too.
We think alike, my yard has to be empty of all these extra WS seedlings at the end of the swap.

So everyone, that's 2 of us so far with big goals and lots of seedlings to find new homes. Be prepared for lots of new plants to swap and take home. those of you with nothing to swap, don't worry, we'll fill up your car with lots of seedlings.

Fran

Everyone, just keep posting here about the swap, questions you might have, etc.

As time gets closer, we all will have a better idea of what we will have for seedlings and can figure out what we will need to bring etc.

Anyone with suggestions, just chime right in. I really don't want to do all the planning myself. This is a joint venture plant swap, so everyone should have some say in how things are. I just want to see easy, relaxed, enjoyable, fun, seeing "old swap friends" and making new ones. Lots of swapping, lots of giving seedlings away, good conversation, and good munchies. Sounds like an old fashioned New England farm get together, doesn't it.

Fran

I have a few teeny shrubs started, and don't know if it's better to keep them growing on until the fall swap, or just bring them now. Some are only a few inches tall, I guess I'll hang on to those and see how big they are in October.

Once the perennials are really up, I'll post my list here.

Can't wait to see you all!

diggingthedirt, glad you glad that you aren't going on that cruise so you can join us.

I'm not sure what WS seedlings I'll have for the swap and won't know till May, as the seeds are just germinating now and still have tons of annuals that will be going out in the next 2 weeks. I will have plenty, should say tons of seedlings potted up by then, both annuals and perennials, vines as well. If it's anything like last year, the list will be too long to post, but the variety will be extensive.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and keep on posting here with questions, seedlings you're looking for or have as the time gets closer.

And please keep your fingers crossed for no rain, no humidity and no really hot temps on June 3. I know, that's asking a lot for crazy NE weather, but it doesn't hurt to ask, pray, keep our fingers crossed and anything else you want to do to help us get good weather.

Fran

Fran

Dunno. But there won't be any "pretzils" this time around... besides, if you blew it with them last time what makes you think I'd give you MORE?! ;)

Fran

I was a member of GardenWeb, and gave all my houseplants and a lot of various bits of my yard to friends before I left. So I am a plant-pauper! But I am so glad to be around for a swap this spring!

Thanks!
Shava Nerad

Fran

I am so bummed the time and dates of both this swap and the NH one are the same. So I will have to pass this year. To the person who needed Vinca,e-mail me directly and I will pot some up.We can make other arrangements to get it to you. I can drop it off a day early if the host does not mind. Otherwise you can swing by here and I will leave it out for you.
I hope the fall swap dates are different. Thank you all.
Sheesh

I think I've got 2 potted divisions of this from when I transplanted it last fall. I'm asking about it in advance because I'd prefer to bring them only if someone actually wants them, after having a chance to think about whether they really have a spot for this monster perennial. It takes a *lot* of room and has some definite drawbacks.

If there are no takers, I'll offer these to local gardening friends.

How is everyone's seedlings doing? I've got tons of them growing and will be potting them up for the swap.
Anyone have a list yet of what they are or might be bringing?

Fran

LOOKING FOR:
- mildew resistant border phlox
- liatris
- cleome
- sweet alyssum
- honeysuckle 'Goldflame'
- lavender
- Canterbury bells
- pleasant surprises

For perennials I'm looking for, a 3" tip cutting or two, taken that morning and wrapped in damp newspaper, would be fantastic, if anybody feels inspired. :)

I do still have tons of seeds, I'll bring my seed boxes...

Tiger lilies, Greening? Are they the orange ones with brown spots? please please please!!!!!!

And Chelone, those unspecified hostas would be great--we've been clearing out poison ivy under our pines and I'd love to put in something attractive there and under my lilacs.

- Kerria, double yellow. Really a glory. The mother plant towers up to about 14' and that's with near-criminal neglect over the years.
-- Calycanthus sweetbush. very fragrant. Odd growth habit. Funky but lovable.
--- prunus x cistena, purple leaf sand cherry
---- lillies of the valley (and lots of em)

I'm VERY keen on hearing from anyone who could spare a variegated solomon seal or two or Japanese anemonie.
best
mulchie

My small lawn is a wreck also, as I only pay attention to the garden beds, small as they are.

Judye

I do have lots of flowers and veggies. I dont think I can put another plant into the garden. but giving some away would be great and make some room.

if this works out I will grow a bunch of seeds out for next years give away.

I hope I have time to come up. I know it will be a blast just meeting all the crazy gardeners like me.

Mulchie, I don't have any of what you're looking for, but someone else sure might, looking forward to meeting you.

Judyefed, you're more than welcome to join us. Yes Autumn Joy is wanted. I want some and at least 3 others are looking for several Autumn joy plants. Glad to know I'm not the only one who ignores the lawn. Too much expense and time wasted for green grass that turns brown and ugly in the summer. Rather time, energy effort on the plants that put on a beautiful show all spring, summer and fall.
I'd suggest making a list of what you want or have to divide and posting the list before digging up and seeing if anyone is interested. I'd hate to see you dig alot up and then have to bring it home and put it back. come with or without plants.

Organic nut, A plant swap is fun. we get together with plants to swap and/or give away that we have grown from seed or divided from our yards. We have light snacks, coffee, tonic, water etc to munch on and just talk and learn from each other on different plants. It's a great way to get new plants for your own yard, divide and give away extra plants you already have and just plain give away all the extras that you've started from seed. I'll have tons of plants just to give away. As you said, if you divide what you have, it makes room for more. This gets addicting for us too.
Hope you have time to come join us and bring some plants that you divided so you can make room for more.

Fran

Fran's concerned that her lily leaf beetles will find my plants if I bring them to the swap, but IIRC you live reasonably near me... drop me an email if you want these, and I could drop them off. There's about 5-6 plants, nothing huge. They're very healthy and no beetles yet.

(I would also love seedlings of:Purple Castor bean, blue morning glory and red or pale yellow sunflowers. In the perennials world,i'd love: medium blue Iris Cristata,Yellow leaved Lamb's ear, Gillenia, Red Astrantia, and Tradescantia Bilberry Ice and Osprey.)

I'll likely bring: Lysimachia numularia aurea, Tovara, Polygonum Bistorta Superbum, Cryptotaenia jap. atropurp;ass. Geraniums, Lysimachia atropurp.

I will also try potting gaura. Recently dug out many, ones that bloomed last year that had not yet leafed out. I potted them, but few survived that little operation. I'll try potting seedlings instead, I should have several hunderd if the little ones don't object to the process the way the big ones did. But, they'll be tiny, so don't be disappointed!

The only hellebores I'd probably have will be H. foetidus, which have self-seeded with great abandon. If I can get some decent potting soil (recent purchases have been awful!) I'll try getting some into pots for anyone who wants that type. Sorry to say H. orientals doesn't self sow as sucessfully as H. foetidus. It's got its own charm, but is not to everyone's taste.

Also will have some young caryopteris - that's been pretty prolific this year.

Can't wait!
DtD

Ornamental grass (Miscanthus, can no longer read the variety on the very old tag). Big, rugged, very pretty!

Hosta (unknown variety from a very old Portsmouth home); I have TONS of this.

Iris sibirica

There will be some other things, too... depends on when the rain stops and the ground dries out.

I'll have plenty more for sure, just need some dry weather to get out there and and get things potted up.

See, I'm not asking for a miracle now, otherwise known as the sun, just asking for the rain to stop and dry weather.
It has to happen sometime doesn't it?

Thanks.
-prats

Fran

I also dont have much to bring, I'll be bringing primarily seeds and probably something in the donut world....

Thanks again.
-Prats

I would love to come to the swap also, but I don't have a lot to bring. My garden is in it's 3rd year, and a lot of the perennials are only 1 or 2 years old and just starting to fill out.

I have some tall-bearded iris that are bicolor white and lemon yellow (variety is about 40 years old), and a division from a peony that is deep pink and fragrant, also about 40 years old. I brought these plants from my previous house, and they were planted by the original owner there, so that's how I know that they are older varieties.

I also have a small peace lily houseplant that I'd like to get rid of (already have two larger peace lilies). And I could pot up a lemon balm seedling if anyone wanted it.

Gardenweb is great and I hope to make it to the swap and meet some other gardeners!

I just posted a new thread on this site with more info about the swap. check it out.

Hope to see you at the swap

Fran

Thanks,

Fran

I feel badly about not having more to bring, but I know I will have more to get rid of in the future. The iris and peony were extra from some transplanting I did last fall. This coming fall I can be sure to make extra divisions of things people might want at the fall swap!

I am testing out the links and photos and stuff - hopefully you can click on the link below and see a photo of the irises???

Fran

I would dig up even more, because it's a big patch, but the irises are just starting to bud and I don't want to wreck any of the blooms!

I might be out of town on the swap rain date, so if the June 3rd date gets rained out I may not be there, but I will save these babies till the fall swap or people could pick them up if they want them before then. :)

Okay, I spent the past few days potting up WS seedlings that where large enough to pot. So far I have 175 and believe me when I say that I will have at least another 175 to go with the first.
So far I have the following ready for the swap

rose campion, tons of these
rose campion angels blush
lobelia crystal palace
hungarian poppy
blue lupin, don't know what seeds where from a trade
toad flax mixed colors
california poppy white linen
california poppy purple gleam
blue thimble gilia
bachelor buttons mixed doubles
alpine poppy
snapdragon magic carpet
snapdragon gumdrop
snapdragon mixed dwarf
poppy angel's choir
poppy lauren's grape
poppy red unknown kind from traded seeds
Poppy best king of queens

Will be potting a ton more over the next week

Fran

I have one or more of each plant.

Tree lilac seedlings. The seeds were collected from a beautiful tree, and sown in 2004, they germinated last fall (05) and wintered over just fine. potted up a month ago.

Potentilla, seeds originated in Siberia, low cushion, 4-5" tall, slow growing, white flowers that looks like a small strawberry blossoms. They have never been watered in 15 years, so I think there fairly drought tolerant. 4-5 plants

hosta and perennials

several very rare trees, and a few shrubs. herbs,

I can bring plant labels, or what ever else is needed? Please advise!

ron48

I'm really sorry to miss this event, I was looking forward to meeting more NE forum folks! And I especially apologise to anyone who wanted verbena bonariensis, perovskia, caryopteris, crambe cordifolia, or gaura seedlings, or whatever else I've got ready to go.

If anyone is coming to the cape, please email me if you'd like any of these, otherwise I'll find homes among gardening pals around here.

Have a great time (I know you will!)

Fran

Autumn Joy
Monarda Raspberry Wine
azaela 'stewartsonia' really bright glowing red
geranium 'biviko'....i think. some nice small prennial geranium
Misc. other items

I would like:
alchemilla, alchemilla, alchemilla
that little strawberry leaved ground cover var. "Lipstick"
monkshood
daylilies (not orange ditchlilies)

Marie aka Idabean

I really enjoyed the last two swaps we had at Marie's place. It was so much fun, but we really missed you at the Fall swap. Looking forward to this weekend. I have to check to see what I can bring and will post my HAVE list tomorrow.

Snow on the Mountain (aegopodium)
Variegated Miscanthus
Sweet Woodruff
Coreopsis Tickseed
variegated Solomons seal (for mulchie)
and two varieties of noname

I'm interested in iris and day lilies (all types/colors), poppies, lupines, mayapple, to name a few.

Also if anyone has cocozelle squash, peppers (hot and/or sweet), heirloom tomatoes (San Marzano sounds great - I love good cooking).

keighty

NEW DATE IS: SUNDAY JUNE, 4, 2006

TIME AND LOCATION ALL IS THE SAME.

Now, I've finished potting up all the seedlings, hundreds of them from WS, here is the list.

rose campion
lychnis angel's blush
assorted dward snapdragons
assorted cosmos
california poppy purple gleam and white
annual poppies
perennial poppies
morning glory
4 0'clocks
assorted bachelor buttons
mixed toadflax
lobelia crystal palace
lobelia trailing saphire
lupins, blue and cherry red
gazania mixed colors
baslam impatiens
nasturtium jewel mix
sweet alyssum
tall alyssum
nicotiana alata
probably some I missed righting down

Also have 2 large sedum, unknown variety that look really beautiful to start then they flop over and the center is bare. will dig out if anyone wants them.

a very small hosta I have to dig out.

plenty of lily of the valley I can dig out. spreading into my flower bed

I believe they are bright purple siberian iris, again spreading into my flower bed. Not sure it's the right time to dig them out, but they have been here for 26 years, planted by the prior owners. Can dig them out if anyone wants some. especially the ones in the flower bed.

forsythia branches, all you want that I can cut fresh.

3 potted up pussywillow bushes that may or may not root.

A friend just left with me the following and she will be here at the swap.

fresh dug up chives,
oregano
black eyed susan
bleeding heart
vinca minor

And a neighbor will be coming with vegetable seedlings.

REMEBER THE SWAP IS NOW SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Fran