What is a plant swap?
It is a social gathering of people who love to garden. They bring plant seedlings, seeds, cuttings and other garden-related items to share with other gardeners.

If this is your very first plant swap or you are a new gardener, you don�t have to bring anything, but first time swappers who are already gardeners should bring stuff.
Just come and see what it is all about. Please be sure to tell everyone there that this is your first swap or that you are a newbie to gardening and you will see how nice everyone is and how they make you feel right at home.

The basics:
Bring plants divided from your garden beds, potted up and labeled.
Bring cuttings, labeled of course.
Plants are the stars, but get creative about what else you'd like to swap, such as garden art and sculpture, books, seed packets, extra tools, garden hats, cute pots. Bring your tips, too.

Each person will want to know what they are getting. By they time they get home many have forgotten what the name of the plant is, so please label each item.

Some people note any tips that might help the plant's new owner be successful enough to divide the plant again in a few years. Some traders/swappers print out care sheets for each plant to hand to the new owner. But if you have labeled properly, the new owner can find info about the plant easily.

A potted plant has roots. A cutting does not.
A cutting stuck in a pot of dirt is not a potted plant. Please do not try to pass one off as such.

When swappers receive plants they always put them under or behind their table.

DO NOT take any plants under tables or on garden carts or wagons. These plants are off limits. Please DO NOT take anything without asking. (unless it is on the �free� table).

It is good etiquette to ASK if it is OK to take a certain plant.
Sometimes swappers have done "pre-trades" on the internet with other gardeners and they are saving those plants to give to them. Pre Trades should be well marked and set aside but in the chaos of getting to the swap and setting up, some things just don�t get done. Always ask. 

There will be a designated table for free plants for the taking. These will be extra plants that swappers will bring to give away and no trade is expected.

When marking your plants, you can use permanent ink on popsicle sticks, cut pieces of old blinds, plastic knives, forks or spoons and anything else you can be creative with! Printed labels are fine too.

Should I bring food or snacks or drinks?

We�re planning a potluck luncheon, you should bring a quantity that is enough to feed your party. Some bring entrees, some bring drinks, deserts, vegetables, casseroles�you be the judge. It is a good idea to bring something to drink for yourself too.

Should I bring a garden cart or wagon?
Bring a garden cart or wagon to carry your plants back and forth to your vehicle. You will be glad you did!

Should I bring a table and chair?
YES!

What if it rains?
WE WILL BE THERE RAIN OR SHINE! We are die-hard gardeners and the swap will go down regardless!

What is a pre-trade? How do I pre-trade with other gardeners before the plant swap?
A pre-trade is a plant trade made with other gardeners online who are going to the scheduled plant swap. Gardeners are looking for certain plants to swap with other gardeners and agree ahead of time that they will bring those plants to the plant swap for each other.

Does the plant swap cost any money to attend?
ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY IS TO BE EXCHANGED FOR ANYTHING! We allow swapping or trading of plants or garden-related items only!

North DFW Fall Swap
Date: Saturday Oct 2. 2010
Time: 10am - 1pm.
Place:
Kid Kastle Pavilion
2210 Briarhill Boulevard
Highland Village, TX 75077
A few tables and BBQ grill at the pavilion. Parking, rest rooms, and playground close by.
There is another party booked right after us, so we need to gather our stuff and vacate right at 1pm so they can set up their party.