Grab Bag Seed Swap - (old post)

I’m obviously in.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Ohhhh, count me in too. This is going to be FUN!!!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Xploreorganics … you will have to give me some guidance as to planting the seeds indoors; soil preparation, containers, type of light for them to germinate. Hate to admit it, but I have never really done this past grade school with the bean pod. Always just bought plants … My house has really good sunlight …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

maybe when we each get our seeds we can list them and everyone can contribute their knowledge re: each type. .. a little “encyclopedia” of sorts.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Even better … good idea Deb! I am sure others will have questions too. Okay hope I am not the only do-do with regards to seed :-)

Another aspect to this site is it really “forces’ us (from a desire of want) to stretch our gardening abilities.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

I’m with you… little embarrassing since I grew up on a farm.. but that was a whole other lifetime, it seems.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Seeds starting is not hard at all. I will gladly help once we know the varieties. Most anuals will be not much harder than your beanpod experiment. Some seeds may need cold stratification and/or scarification. Some can be sown directly outside, others may need to be started inside, some need light, others don’t.

I have some seeds of “unknown varieties” for these or when in doubt what I do is spread them on the surface of a little “test garden” after the last frost date. If they don’t germinate during summer, I let nature do it’s thing and the next year they usually sprout (natural cold stratification). I probably lose some this way but then again, I’m not a fussy gardener.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

two terms I am not familiar with … stratification and scarification …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Stratification is the preparation of seeds to mimic nature…Most common is cold stratification where you place seeds in a little sand and peat (I like to do it in a zip baggie) and refridgerate them for a period of time to promote germination (sprouting of seed).

Scarification is roughing up the outside of the seed coat to better allow for moisture to enter the seed; again to promote germination.

A great way to scarify seed is to make your own little scarifying tool. Get a small jam jar or other little jar and roll a piece of sandpaper so that it fits inside the jar with the rough side facing inward. Simply place seeds in jar, screw lid on and shake shake shake. Seeds should then be nicely scarified :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

The wife and I will talk this over. We raise some very old and rare heirloom varieties.
Our forum just completed a multi-country “round Robin” and the box grew to a very large size by the end of the journey.

-- Old Pharmer Phils Country Living Phorum - http://pharmerphil.proboards37.com

oh yikes.. I can imagine this if we had hundreds of members!!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Well best thing to do since this is our first swap is we will top off at 12 participants. So we will mail out the first week of February but if we reach 12 before that time we will close the swap….There will alway be future swaps…Don’t want to overwhelm MsD on her first swap…So 12 sound managable?

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

anything is manageable :)
If we have 50 participants… then we have 50… It’s all about getting it organized, right? Whether it is 12 or 112.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

You go girl :)

Ok whatever you can manage…bring on the swap!

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Thanks for the clarification of thoses two terms … I understand now. Can’t wait!!! I’ll have to go shopping for some cool seeds to share.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

I’m in!!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

lemme go see what I’ve got… I think I”ll play

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

Being in England is a little awkward, some sort of law about sending seeds over here.
So although I would have been pleased to be in on this.
I will decline for now.

-- Derbyshire------- English Countryside

I’m not sure if there are specific rules about sending seeds back and forth between Canada and the US either. Will this work, or will we need to organize a swap in each country?

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I’ve swapped many many times with the US. Not to say for sure if it is “allowed” but I never had any problems even with swapping bre-root plants. I think soil is a problem but seeds should be fine.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

I know there have been issues sending things back and forth to France in the past. Some “laws” might have been real or imagined though.

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

Not just soil, but certain plants that can be considered invasive in other ecosystems. Reference purple loosestrife for example. Illegal as hell here in MI…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I am in. Just tell me when. Thanks for making this site exciting

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

i like the idea of “same country” swapping due to the invasive issues and legalities.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I’ll be happy to volunteer as the US Host…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Anyone need anymore help, I’m here too.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Count me in! This will give me the incentive I need to get back out to my garden! Thanks for organizing this.

-- Suzy, Chicagoland

Im in!!!

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to pass. The seeds I’d inherited from my grandparents haven’t survived the years I’ve forgotten about them, and have basically turned to dust. Next time I guess…

But, once the snow melts, if anyone wants to do a bulb swap, I’ve got tiger lillies and lily of the valley growing out of every nook and cranny.

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

Is this still a go?? Can I get in on it??? Harvey

Leamington Ontario

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

Lets make it a go and do a last call to anyone who wants in…

OK so it looks like we will have two groups.

MsD will Host the Canadian group and Damocles offered to host a US group…Is everyone still ok with that?

If so, here is who we have so far:

Canadian Group
(Send to MsD)
Xploreorganocs
Hsteinhoff

US Group
(Send to Damocles)
Suzy
GrandmaT
Nativeplantsrule
Barbie

Is this correct?
So we will extend it another week to see if anyone else wants in…Come on Canadians I know there are more of you out there, and US too :)

This will be a bit of fun.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

as far as I know, it is still going to happen.
I think we are going to divide it up by country.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I am in….

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

only 3 Canadians? gosh.. that will be easy. ..
There are so many gardeners within driving distance of myself, I could have hand-delivered them!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I am going to try to get a few more so give it a day or two.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

How about we set the deadline for the end of Feb? That way we (possibly) get some more folks involved?

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Sure…The end of Feb it is!

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Feb 29 it is and all seed must be shipped to the host in the first week of March so that early starters can get their roots.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

You can count me in too.Just to understand this better,its a surprise what you get back??

-- Southwestern Ontario Canada Zone5b

Yes a suprise :D

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Love surprises! For the end of the month, count me in!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

If it is not too late I want in!!

-- Lori, Tilbury,ON

yeah. Our Canadian “in” list is growing!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Where is USA??? Any more “ins” ?

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Please include me for Grab Bag Swap.PM

-- PTM- SWOntario

Ok…Just bumping this up on Pulse…

The count so far is:

Canadian Group
(Send to MsD)
Xploreorganocs
Hsteinhoff
Bullseye
Countrygal
Eklectic
Lorit
PTM

US Group
(Send to Damocles)
Suzy
GrandmaT
Nativeplantsrule
Barbie

Come on US…Canada has more…Any more takers?

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

When do we get the address of the host?

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

I’ll send y’all PMs, when we get the final count. Don’t want to short-change any late-comers!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Hi Debbie: Am I too late to join the seed exchange?

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Nope not too late…Welcome!

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Go Canada go!!

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

the list is growing :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Jeez, if I knew this was a national competition, I would’ve brought in a few ringers! LOL…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Please count me in.Just dusted off my grow lights today (lol)

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

I am in. Sounds great!

Thank you Ann…glad we have another US member the Canadians were getting the big head.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

sorry. I love my country.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

LOL, I thought in “garden land” there is no “us and “them” but “we” ... :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Try to tell that to customs. That is why we are doing seperate USA and Canada Trades.. To bad because the more the better. Wish we could all trade together but since we can’t, Go Canada go.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

Wow …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Still…I have participated in many swaps…Canada/US and Global and have yet to have a customs problem with seeds.

Does someone have the documents that shows you can not trade seeds.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

I’m in, ah?

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

Thanks everyone! Damocles, I live in between Dayton and Springfield. We are huge OSU fans, too.

Maybe Debbie could take a road trip and meet someone at the border? If I had my wits about me I”d have let you know I’ve been up in Newport, VT (less than 8 mi) from Canada – this week…. not that I was THAT much closer – but could have helped move some seeds.

-- southern NH. - smack dab in the middle of 5a and 5b - with lots of shade and full sun, in all the wrong places.

Sorry but I have to withdraw from this exchange as my seeds (organic from Alberta) have not arrived!
If ever they do, I will put up a list of what I have to exchange or…

Have fun!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Hey…Don’t withdraw yet, you still have a few days maybe they’ll show up tomorrow :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Sure wish! :-)

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Hi : Just wondered if I missed something.I am getting my seeds together to trade but don’t know where to send them.Please help me.Sometimes I’m not the best at finding things on sites.But I do try. (lol)

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

details haven’t been shared yet.

I think I’m supposed to message everyone with details. Tomorrow is the last day to sign up. I’ll message all the Canucks tomorrow.
(Saturday I am away at a Wood Show in Toronto)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

• Myself
• Xploreorganics
• Hsteinhoff
• Bullseye
• Countrygal
• Eklectic
• Lorit
• PTM
• Bon
• Horsetail

Did I miss anyone?

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Thanks Deb

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

This is the last day to join the seed swap. Mrs Debbie(Canada) & Damocles(USA) will send you all a personal message in your Garden Tenders “messages”box with thier mailing address.

Here is the final count:

Canadian Participants:
Myself
Xploreorganics
Hsteinhoff
Bullseye
Countrygal
Eklectic (Are you able to participate?)
Lorit
PTM
Bon
Horsetail

US Participants:
Suzy
GrandmaT
Nativeplantsrule
Barbie
Ann

Lets try to get these mailed fist thing on Monday. Use a self addressed stamped (ensure sufficient return postage) bubble mailer to protect the seeds.

-Next fill your envelope with the number of seed packets as there are participants ( 6 packs for US + gift pack for host and 10 for Canada + Host Pack ) – I will let you know how many.

-Also add a “host” surprise seed package. Lable this one HOST. This is a gift to the host for arranging the swap.

-The host will then remove all the seed packets and her gifts and replace each of your envelopes with different packages of seeds and mail them back to you.

Lets trade seeds :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

going to be like Christmas!! (or other special gift-sharing day for non-christmas people :) )

private messages have been sent. .. if you didn’t get the message let me know. Thanks

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Still haven’t received anything: so I am out!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Aww too bad :(

So that will be 9 seed packs for Canadians then and 1 gift.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

what about going to Canadian Tire and grabbing some seeds that you think most people wouldn’t have bought on their own??
I’m not giving up on this yet, Eklectic :)
There are lots of flowers that I’d like to grow but I don’t want to buy a lot of seeds….

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Going shopping today, will see what I can do!
Tell me what you would like, I will try!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

anything… even if I have it I will be excited!!
purples and yellows are my favourites :D

YIPPEE you’re back in!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Yay.Can hardly wait for them to arrive.So does this mean because there are ten people in the swap that I send 9 bags plus a host bag?You don’t count yourself when your sending them do you?

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

good point.. right Canadians: 9 packages of seeds

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Is Damocles still handling the American exchange??

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

I am assuming so ….

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Got mine ready to go…hope you like :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

I’ll love some petunia waves, colourful ones :-) So I got Debs pm, I have seeds coming out of my wazoo, and am ready to dump them. LOL

I’ll mail mine out Monday, or hand deliver it to Debs :-)

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

yes, we can arrange hand-deliveries!! Anyone who would be within an hour’s drive of Brantford, Ontario

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Lets not forget that this is a “suprise swap” it would be difficult for the host to pick and choose who gets what seeds…If you want a special seed it is best to arrange a private swap…Plus suprises are always fun :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Anyone heard from damocles?

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

I too will put mine in the mail on Monday.Hope everyone likes them.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

No, which is unusual … I’ll send him a PM and see what’s up.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Picked out my seeds and am ready to go … I also hope you all like them as well. I am very excited !!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Here I am, sorry for the delay… I will be PM’ing my address to each of you this evening. Here is the list from the US I have, if I have left anyone out, please say so!

Suzy
GrandmaT
Nativeplantsrule
Barbie
Ann
(and myself)

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

OK, I’ve sent PMs to the GT’s listed in my previous post…if any of you didn’t receive the message, let me know ASAP!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Sheesh, I guess I’m not so good at math. That’s the thing about working in IT: it’s all 1’s and 0’s.

To everyone I’ve sent a PM to: please forward me a total of six (not seven) packs.

Thanks, GrandmaT, for the subtle correction! LOL…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Hey, “subtle” is my middle name LOL!!!! What are friends for anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Met up with Ms D this afternoon, and hand delivered my loot :-)

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

Yes indeed… the treasures have started to be gathered!!
But I’m not looking at them until I get them all. I want to be “in awe” and surprised.

(Nice seeing you again Bullseye)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Shock and awe :-)

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

Mailed mine today to damocles. Snail mail….3 or 4 days. Sorry USA

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

No problem “N” ... we’ll get them in plenty of time. :-)

I’m heading over to his house tomorrow afternoon to delivery mine.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

How many have you got so far MsDebbieP?

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

USA report: I have received 3 batches. Still missing two: Barbie and Ann. Ladies, please let me know if you are sending/seeds are in the mail/sorry, gotta back out. I’d like to get the seeds out to the participants so we can start germinating.

Thanks!!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I finally have 5 minutes to look at the packages that arrived on Friday. (it was a busy weekend)

• bullseye
• Bonnie
• countrygal
• Xploreorganics
• hsteinhoff
• (and myself, of course)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I did mail my package alreay, hopefully you have it already!!!

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

hi mine is in the mail. As long as the dogs make it over the snow drifts they should be with you by the end of this week..lol

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

• Diane
• Peter

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

hey this is a great idea! im going to have to push some more Australians on to this site so i can participate.
sounds like a lot of fun.

this is just like the time santa didnt come because we were too far away!

oh no.. that’s a sad story!!!

we definitely need to get you some seed-swappers of your own!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Sorry you could not participate!!! Would be wonderful to have more of your countrymen/women join us!!! I love the fact that “we” are from all over the world …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Barbie: I received your envelope today.

Just one more, and I’ll start sorting and send them right back out! Ann, if you can, contact me to let me know your status. Many thanks!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Horsetail: received your seeds today.

Who’s left?

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Seed Update
Myself (received)
Xploreorganics (received)
Hsteinhoff (received)
Bullseye (received)
Countrygal (received)
Eklectic (received)
Lorit
PTM (received)
Bon (received)
Horsetail (received)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

phew.. sorting is done!! That had me sweating. I didn’t want to mix them up … !
What an adventure.
I will get them to the post office tomorrow.

A big thank you to everyone for the wonderful “thank you” gifts. My garden is going to be spectacular this year. Everyone will be saying “where did you get all these beautiful flowers” !!!

I do have to make a special mention of the Luffah seeds. I went out looking on the weekend and didn’t find any so to discover them in the host packages -well. Thank you; thank you. (ok.. you notice that I’m not mentioning the person by name .. I admit it.. I put all the host packages in a pile without noting who sent what. Oops) And so a generic thank you to everyone.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

OK, with Ms.D’s proclamation on the CA side, I’ll give our last participant until tomorrow to let me know whether the “seeds are in the mail”. If not, no biggie, but I’ll just begin the sorting process and let y’all know when I’m sending them out…

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Sounds good to me … :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Thanks Damocles!!!

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

Nicely done MsD!
really eager to see what is coming my way!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

it’s in the mail as of today

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

OK, I’m calling it on the US side…I’m going to pour a cold one, and begin the Solomon-esque task of dividing the seeds.

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Yippee Damocles!!!! Good luck and if there are left overs, my opinion…your welcome to keep them.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

Sorry, very minor delay…house has been hit with plague, and I’m dealing with a sick kid and wife.

The dogs are fine.

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

Hope your wife and child will be better soon!

Glad to hear the dogs are fine!!!!!:-)

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Hope everyone is feeling better!!!

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

Oh, sorry to hear that “D” ... no fun when mommie and little one are sick!!!

Dogs are fine … LOL!!!!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Sorry Damocles. You deal with the family 1st always!! Praying everyone gets better soon. Fresh Spring air is hopefully on the way to clear all the gunk out of the air.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

Just a note to say I got my seeds in the mail today.Thanks Debbie,and everyone for including me in this swap.Looking forward to the next one.

-- Southwestern Ontario Canada Zone5b

Sooooo, what seeds did ya get? So much surprise to all this … I’m dying to know what everyone gets. Share?

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Hey GT
I got Hollyhocks,tomatoes,stocks,datura,basil,rose of sharon,agastashe,zinnia,morning glory,and one I have no idea what it is.

If anyone recognizes this seed,please let me know what it is.
It is in a small ziplock bag,and written in pen is “Phlonis Tuberosa” Pink
Thanks

-- Southwestern Ontario Canada Zone5b

Nice, very nice selection!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

phlomis tuberosa: jerusalem sage

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1138/

There’s some nice pics on that link.

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

the Phlomis Tuberosa is from me :)

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Oh my,Xploreorganics,I took a look at the pics and this is beautiful,now I am getting excited to get these seeds going.It may take a few years for blooms,but this will be a great addition to my gardens.I have not seen these before.Thanks so much.

Damocles,thanks for the link,soooo helpful,and the pics are great.

-- Southwestern Ontario Canada Zone5b

isn’t it exciting?
First the seeds.. and now to see the plants grow!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Mine bloomed the second year.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

I got Aster chinensis, Basil Disk, HollyHock, MorningGlory, Nigella(LIAM), Peppers, Rose of Sharon, Rudbeckia, Verbascum,and Zinnia.
Thanks go out to MsDebbie.

-- PTM- SWOntario

OOOOOHHHHHH … nice!!!!! this is fun, finding out what everyone got!!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

no thanks to me.. I just divvied them up… you guys all sent the seeds!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I got Zinnia, Basil, Parsley, Hot Pepers, Crazy Daisys, 4’Oclocks, Passion Flowers and Penistemum Purple Palace. Thanks eveyone, and Thanks MsD for doing the work. Oh I also had a 5cent stamp so you must have been short.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

did I miss a stamp? oops

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Xploreorganics

Do you do anything special to germinate your seeds?I read that they should be sown direct in the Fall,so I put a few in a pot and put outside.I also sowed some up in the house.

-- Southwestern Ontario Canada Zone5b

As long as you have about 4 to 6 weeks of cold/frosty nights left putting them out now is perfect. They need a cold period to break dormancy.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

which one’s need a cold period?

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

oops sorry, I was writing to country gal regarding the phlomis tuberosa.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Met up with MsDebs this morning, and got the following:

Basil Disk, HollyHock, MorningGlory, Rose of Sharon, Rudbeckia, Zinnia, four o clocks, and pansies.

Thx 4 that

Cheers

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

Sure sounds like everyone got a nice assortment!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

i’m in if you’ll have me.

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

Bob …???? above comment. Maybe I have missed something (wouldn’t be the first time, nor the last)— ;-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Hi Bob.. we’ve just wrapped up the swap.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Bob…..11 posts in 1 day? Anyhoo….care to put your location and zone in your signature?

-- Hooked on Gardening.....Ontario zone 5b

I’m a first time blogger…. and I also just found this website! How exciting for all of you, I hope I can get in on this next year!

-- Indiana zone 5b

Just got my seeds today.Thank you for your trouble Debbie and thanks to everyone for all the new stuff I have never grown.Just a quick question. How did I end up getting one of my own seed packets back?Did anyone else get one of their own seed packets back?

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

OK, folks, the plague is now safely cleared from the house, and I sat down with my wife tonight to sort out the seeds. We have completed the task, and are headed out to the post office tomorrow to drop them in the mail.

Thanks to everyone for your participation, and your patience in waiting for the returns!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

that took a long time Bon.. you got one back because we lost one of the participants. So if I did the sorting correctly you would have gotten one back)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Thanks Debbie
I guess I missed the one dropping out; sorry.When they call it snail mail they sure are right (lol) I’m just glad they finally made it here.Gonna start them soon.Thanks again everyone.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

no, you didn’t miss it.. we didn’t know until we didn’t hear back when I was checking if they were all sent out.

re: our mail
I had a friend in Boston MA who sent a package to me (basically across the border – 8 hour drive) and a package to Sweden. The Sweden one arrived first!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Hi I just got my seeds. Thanks to everyone. They all look great. Could someone jsut say what colour the Rose of Sharon is ? It came in a sealed bag with a bright redish orange sticker.And also the morning glory, is it a mixed colour? Thank you MsDeb for doing this.

-- horsetail, Fergus, Ontario

thanks to XO for arranging it.. I just did the sorting :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Yes, MsDeb you are right … much thanks to XO for coming up with the idea AND sharing it!! Maybe we should make this an annual “spring” GT event.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

sounds like a fun idea

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I think the Rose of Sharons are pink and the morning Glory are purple. They are both easy to grow.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

Thanks Damocles, I am so glad everyone is better in your house!! Thanks for taking on this task for us

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

Yes X,
this was a great idea!
And to make it an annual “GT” spring thing is another one!
And by knowing ahead of time, we can be better prepared. (talking about me, naturally).
We could also take turns in being host, so it is not always the same ones doing all the work!

On this thought, I am volunteering for next year!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

so we need a reminder at the end of the garden season to collect some seeds (and some advice on how to do it) ]

thanks for volunteering E!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

No problem!
It is self serving: I want to get the “host packets”!!!
Hahahaha!:-)

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

oooooooooooh hahahaa good for you!!! :)
I’d better start planning now :)

I think I’m going to make a flowerbed that’s just using GT contributions.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Great idea! You better start 2 beds: one for shade and one for sun. And big, because I have the feeling that next year we are going to have a lot.

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

yah.. :)
I’ve always wanted a labrynth garden in my yard and I’ve just never done it.. so this year I think it starts with a winding path lined with GT plants. Each year, I’ll just another section to it.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

Wow! I really like this!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

Me me me…I will host US next year. As long as everyone reminds me I volunteered. I should because I forgot to send extra postage to Damocles. Sorry. Can’t wait to get those seeds!

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

We could possibly do an early summer division swap. Anyone dividing spring bulbs/plants could swap some???

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Would be great, except I brought in only enough for me last fall: could not find anybody to share with and do not have a lot of room for bulbs.
But if I know ahead of time, I will make the room!!!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

so at this point in time, for SPRING 2009

• Canadian Swap coordinated by Eklectic
• USA Swap coordinated by Nativeplantsrule
• Other Locations to be determined

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

VERY EXCITING!!!!!!

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

I would like to thank all the USA participants in the GT Seed Swap for the wonderful assortment of seeds that I got!!! I can’t wait to start them!!!

And, again, thank you “D” for sorting, mailing and in my case—hand delivering them to me. What a guy!!!!! :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Very excited and have hoped right onto the web to check out growing instruction for all the new packets of seeds I got through the exchange.

I have a question about one of the seeds I received. Joe Pye Weed ... says something about it needing cool, moist stratification. What is stratification?? I am really new to starting plants by seed, so would LOVE some help and advice with this plant.

Thank you!!! :-)

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Stratification: stick it in the fridge for 4 weeks prior to planting or sow in fall.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

okay … just put the seeds in a zip lock bag and throw them in the frig?? Do I need to have a damp paper towel or something with them … or a dry one for that matter?? Sorry for so many questions.

Truly appreciate your time here …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Naw, the moisture isn’t usually a requirement. What you’re doing is fooling the seeds into thinking that they went through winter. Some seeds need some crazy outside stimulus in order to germinate. Some need cold, some need heat.

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

alright, I think I understand now … just put the seeds (as is) in a ziplock bag and put into the frig than after 4 weeks I can start them inside. Thanks so much …

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Hi Grandma, You will need to have a moist and cold stratification for joe pie weed. If it is still cold where you ar e located and will be for the next 4 wekks or so then plant them in a covered cotainer of damo soil with holes poked in it (see winter sowing) and put it outside now. If not, then put them in some wet peat or paper towls in your baggie and refridgerate them.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20

Thank you Xploreorganics!! I’ll get on that today … very excited about this plant; had never heard of it.

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

Got my seeds in the mail yesterday! Thanks everyone! (and big thanks to Damocles for organizing all of it.)
Now I just need the weather to cooperate so I can actually get outside and do some gardening. Where’s spring?!?

-- Suzy, Chicagoland

I got my seeds also!!! Thanks to everyone for the wonderful seeds. I agree Suzy, where’s spring!!!!

-- brown thumb slowly turning green!!!! Zone 6b

Great, I’m glad to hear that you got the seeds! Just waiting on confirmation from NPR…

This was a fun time!

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I got my seeds today!!! Yippeee!! Thanks everyone. Love each of them. I got salvia, mexican sunflower, coneflower, hollyhocks.

-- wjl - 5a Indiana

Exchange Seeds – Seed Swaps is a place where Gardeners can come together and trade seeds with other Gardeners. We make it easy to trade seeds and enhance your garden.

-- Developer of a Seed Trading site called Seedswaps. Also a happy gardener. You may visit my site here. http://www.seedswaps.com

Have we been sabotaged? ... just joined and advertising another site… just a question.

-- jroot

Same question here jroot … just joined and advertising another site … hmmmmm

-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5

are we doing this again this year, 2009?

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan

I hope we do it again. I had so much fun last year.

-- Leamington Ontario Canada Zone 7a

Didn’t Michal just post about a new type of trade for this year?
This old post is very confusing.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more