I have copied part of Mike's post below.

"Hi folks, It has been a few years since I have been real active on here or gone to a swap. I am looking forward to coming to SA unless something gets in the way.
I hosted one in Bastrop once during which we had a gully washer of a rain storm and we still had about 7 or 8 people, some from Temple, I believe.
What to bring: anything garden related. Does that cover it? indoor and outdoor plants, trees, seeds, pots, herbal soaps, books, tools, garden ornaments, etc. When I first started going to swaps I had no plants or anything so I brought rock. Texas Honeycomb rock, that is, otherwise known as Holey rock. They were some HUGE pieces that folks used as planters or just landscaping.
You might want to bring your own table and chairs instead of filling up the picnic tables.

Folks can also bring something to donate for a door prize if they would like. At the end, numbers are passed out or names in a hat and either the number/name called can choose their prize from the table or a prize is chosen then a number/name is called. The donations should be garden related.
One of the posters was concerned about showing up and folks not having what he wanted. Well, it is not against the rules to post what you have and what you want and even to set up swaps in advance. That way you know you are going to get at least some of what you want.
One of the conditions is that everything is free. There is no buying or selling here. Do it somewhere else, please. And most folks don't want to take home what they brought. They brought it because they have plenty. The want to take home new stuff.
A swap is fair if the two traders think it is fair.
Linda, it has been a long time since I have seen you but you should have some ideas about what to bring from your experiences in San Marcos.
Would people object if I brought information on creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat? I am a volunteer with the National Wildlife Federation and that is my "job" as a Habitat Ambassador, to inform folks how to "wildscape".
Hope this is helpful. I am looking forward to getting in the swing.
Mike "

We decided on this starting time in order to give the out of town folks time to get here. Since this is our first plant swap, we have decided not to have a potluck dinner.
You can bring snacks and or drinks for your personal use. Remember no alcohol allowed.
It is sort of the blind leading the blind here, as none of we 3 organizers have done this before.

I hope to be there, too. Along with a few others, I used to host the one in San Marcos, so if you need any other information please don't hesitate to write to me. We had a lot of fun doing it, but gave the reins to someone else after a few years of spring and fall swaps.

I don't know if you have to pay for the pavilion at the park, but if you do, here's an idea we used. Although the park in San Marcos wasn't that much, it's too much for one person to shoulder the burden. We have always put out a donation jar to cover the cost of the park and any other costs, like drinks and paper plates, etc (which the host always brought). Those who attended the swap were always generous and a dollar or two from everyone helped to cover all expenses.

Mike pretty much gave you everything that we did, I think. For the most part, we are usually lucky with weather, but we've had plenty where it rained. Gardeners still showed up with rain jackets, so don't worry about cancelling just because of a little liquid sunshine. Unless it's a dangerous storm, we die-hards will be there. :-)

Another thing that I would recommend everyone bringing are pens and pads to write down what you learn about new plants. I for one can never remember everything by the time I get home and start unpacking. Also, something to label your new plants with. It is desirable if you will label your own plants before the swap, but not everyone does this, so bring some popsicle sticks or window blinds to make labels for the new plants you take home.

I have been going to the Central Texas swaps since the first wonderful one in Austin many years ago. We have had people come from as far away as Arlington and Corpus Christi. Now that the park in San Marcos has been bull-dozed the swap was moved to Buda and it's become a little far for some of our regulars who have stopped coming. I hope that having one in San Antonio will bring them back.

If anyone wants to ask me about swaps, please feel free to email me to chat.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Patty

Carla in Leander

Texaskitty is good at organizing, but she may not be there.

Could you give me ideas for door prizes? I / we plan to do that.

Carla in Leander

Ok you guys, any one that wants to can bring "things" for door prizes.

We take up donations in a box at the entrance and buy items for the next swap with the money.

I love plant swaps and sure wanna go. (sigh)

Nat

Mike, I know you wanted pecan trees, so I'll be on the lookout for those. Squirrels are always planting those things in my beds !

Natvtxn, I also have two new items to bring as door prizes. Have emailed your partner about some things, too, since I heard from her today. You guys will do just fine !

oh, and Mike -- we always have more people than those who shout out here on GW. I have a group that I let know about swaps, but they aren't Gardenwebbers. I know some of them are planning to come.

patty

"I've read your threads on the Texas Forum, & it sounds like it's coming along great!
Some facilitating "tricks" I've learned are:

post often enough to keep the threads on page 1 so more people see the info

mention & encourage others to mention the plants that they'll be bringing

encourage pre-trades:
people will be more committed to attending if they know someone else is counting on them, & they'll be more excited about coming if they know that they'll come home with something they really want.

We've had swaps in Ft Worth for several years now, & the main things I try to do (other than arrange the facilities & give driving directions & tips for transporting plants & answer questions) are to lay out a *minimum number* of simple, loose, clear "rules" & to foster the spirit of sharing.

Rules like:

don't take anything unless the person who brought it says you can (seriously)

no selling (or some selling, or whatever, as long as the rule is the same every time for every attendee)

no alcohol, no glass bottles

clean up your own mess

We always encourage newcomers to attend, even if they don't have plants or seeds;

growing gardeners is an excellent way to grow gardens.

(& besides, sometimes they bring stuff like homemade bread!)

& sometimes you get a really nice surprise, like when you find yourself being "grown" as a gardener:

I have a water or bog garden strictly due to the generosity & encouragement of a trader at one of the swaps!

I've tried to keep things as simple & loose as possible, to make the swaps undemanding & easy for anyone to enjoy.

& we never have gone in for games & prizes, since our swaps are "come & go" affairs:
People often bring their children, & you can't wait around a plant swap for a game or prize."

We will have drawings for door prizes.

I have potted:
Queen Ann's Lace
Friktarii asters
columbine
larkspur
fanick phlox
poppies
apple blossom verbena

and have cuttings started:
vitex
TX wisteria...not one of the oriental ones.

This is a stem with multiple blooms, so it looks huge.

gardenia, August beauty

Have:
Butterfly Iris
Maiden Grass
Tomatoes: Brandywine, Valley Girl, Porter

Want:
Gregg's Mist Flower
Mexican Mint Marigold

You've got mail

Be sure to post pictures!

there're swap offers & lists of plants on both posts.

does anybody have any white salvia greggi or yellow cannas?

Looking forward to seeing everybody!

Teri_Mico

Hope we have a good turn out at the swap. I see some names I recogize from other swaps, so it will be like a reunion, too.

any other newbies out there ? Please come ! You are welcome !!

patty

The more the merrier!!!

Kathy, one of the Gregg's Mist flowers have your name on it. I have a couple of gallon pots that have over wintered in the green house so they will already have a great root system. Since it is coming up all over the place in the gardends right now, I'll also dig up a couple more for you.

Both of you: Check my list on exchanges and see if you want me to tag anything for you.

Teri: I won't say thanks for fear of jinxing the plants. LOL

you can trade anything for anything.

As long as both traders are happy, it's a good deal.

One spring I traded something-or-other for a big bag of leaf lettuce that someone had thinned out of their garden!
Since young lettuce is very tender & yummy, I was very happy, & so was the other trader.

Some things mentioned on the Ft Worth swap thread are:

greenhouse frame
whiskey barrel
gardening books
pump & so forth for a fountain
pots..
& there'll probably be a bunch more stuff.

(One beginning gardener doesn't have anything at all garden-related, so she's bringing lunch!)

I also have plastic pots 1 gallon and larger. Does anyone want the larger ones ? If not, I won't take up the space in the truck.

I also have a freeform pond with pump and water-spitting turtle if anyone wants to try their hand at pond gardening. Maybe we can arrange a special swap ?

Please write me directly at email address, not here, since I don't check this forum every day. thank you.

patty

I have plenty of rocks on my place so thanks by no thanks for rocks.

Teri

I know we only have a week so the "white greggs" wouldn't be rooted. I am however cutting to rooted challenged and I know that you are an expert. I would really just appreciate you giving them the tlc to get them started properly. I will just know that they need to stay in pots for a while before I put them in the ground.

thanks

Teri

If I understand it right, we are to keep our pre-trades separate from the other plants to avoid confusion.

See you there/here.

Is that the kind that has apricot colored blooms?