Hello there!
I would like to welcome you to the 6th Annual Rare/Unusual/Named Variety (runv) seed exchange! In the past this swap has been hosted by Julie (Julie_mn), but unfortunately Julie is unable to host the seed exchange this year. With not wanting this seed exchange to go undone/away Julie has asked if I would be willing to take the reins this year and host for her. Ive decided to give it the old college try. IÂve been lucky enough to help Julie in years past with the runv seed exchange so IÂm not totally wet behind the ears and Julie has offered to help as much as possible.
Now down to business -
This is an exchange for named variety, rare or unusual seeds whether they are annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, or trees. Any kind of seed will do, hand collected (that we all know may or may not actually come true to form when lovingly gathered from your own gardens) or commercial, as long as it meets the criteria of named variety, rare or unusual seed.
Every one is welcome to join! This is not just for "Newbies" or "Old Hands" it is for anyone wishing to participate!
In the past the amount of seed to send in was unlimited, but to help maintain my sanity and to get the seeds turned around as fast as I can, I am setting an upper limit of 150 packets. You can send in more than 150, but I canÂt guarantee that youÂd be getting over 150 packets without sending back more than you may want in duplicates and such. There may be bonus packs, as we always seem to have several generous folks who offer their abundant seeds with abandon by sending in more than they want back. If you wish to send in extra seeds packets to give as bonusÂs to others please feel free to do so.
Also, please no more than 3-5 packs of a specific seed please. That way we can have a larger diversity of seeds to exchange, and a smaller chance of too many doubles in the return envelopes.
For clarification-
A named variety is a cultivar of a particular type of plant such as- Gaillardia ÂFanfareÂ. Gaillardia is the name of the plant, and ÂFanfare is the variety. Another example would be - Black Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta ÂPrairie SunÂ. Rudbeckia hirta is the Latin name of the plant- ÂPrairie Sun is the variety- Black Eyed Susan is the common name, hirta is not a variety name. The color of the plant is usually not the variety name.
The general amount of seed in each packet should be close to 6-12 for large seeds, 24 or so for the usual size and a nice healthy pinch of the tiny seed. If you are feeling generous- go right ahead- and know that your seeds will be well appreciated! Generosity has its own rewards!!
Understanding rare seed is just that- rare and hard to find- the amounts may vary than the suggestions listed above, but please try to send the amount of seed you would like to receive. We all like to feel as good about the giving as the receiving.
I would ask that if you send mostly veggies in to be prepared to receive mostly veggies back. Not every one is open to trading their flowers for vegetables. I cannot absorb 100Âs of veggie seed packets myself but I will do my best to be fair. Also, if there are seeds sent in that do not fit the requirement such as "yellow marigolds", (unknown) "Ornamental Grass" with no other name given, or "sweet" cornÂ. I will need to return those to the sender. Somebody somewhere will LOVE those seeds. I too have a few of those "no names" myself, to share and to grow, but as wonderful as they may be they do not belong in this exchange.
If you are interested, please post below by January 27th. I will send you an E-Mail through your GW Page with info you may need and my mailing address to send your seeds to.
Individually packaged and labeled trade ready viable seeds should be sent in a bubble mailer (will be used to send your seeds back to you) with your GW name on the outside of it, and be posted/in the mail by February 6th and:
1) Return postage equal to what it cost you to send, a return address label, and if you wish, postage to cover a confirmation slip upon returning to you.
2) A list of things you would like or are interested in or a copy of your want list from your trade page, what ever is easier, with your GW name on it.
3) A list of seeds sent and total number of seed packets sent in.
I would like to ask you if you can find the time or have the willingness to look through the others wish lists posted on their GW Page to see if you can fill anyoneÂs wishes for it would be most appreciated! It is going above and beyond, but I believe it is what makes this exchange so wonderful! It's not just the seeds them selves, it is the thought and caring put into selecting them, by so many who sign up. However, please keep in mind these seeds fall into the category of Rare, Unusual, or Named Variety. Also, you donÂt need to try to match all your seeds you're sending in to peoples want lists.
It is also very much appreciated when you identify whom the packet of seeds should go to, without writing their name on the packet if at all possible. Placing multiple packets into separate baggies with the intended named on the outer bag; or taping packets to another small sheet of paper with the name on the paper; or paper slips inside the clear baggies; are all very effective ways to identify to whom the seeds should go to without actually writing the name on the packet. I wouldnÂt want to miss an opportunity to give someone what you intended to give them or is wanted if they are not identified in this way.
I ask that the intendedÂs name not be put directly on the packet in the event that I cannot send the seeds to the intended. If someone who sent in 20 packets asked for say Gaillardia Fanfare- and 10 people sent in packets for that person- I would not want to send them all 10 Gaillardia Fanfare packets back and only 10 other seed varieties. I would want to send them 20+ different packets, one of them being Gaillardia Fanfare. Also no one will think they have received seeds they shouldnÂt have- because they received a packet with someone elseÂs name written on it.
I hope to have all your new seeds in the mail and heading back to you the last week of February. This should still give participants time to do more winter sowing, spring sowing and such.
If you have any questions at all please let me know.
Thanks and let the fun begin!
Sandy
(sandysgardens)
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