For clarity, the time frames listed as CST are Central Standard Time and are not referencing Grenache Mean Time at all. Right? This is my first seed swap, and wouldn't you know it I live in EST and have been invited to an event on Dec 5th! I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze in a few minutes on the internet somewhere without looking too obsessed or rude!

If you look at Dogsndaylillies post The thread "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" in DND's All Seeds Swap #7 she addresses it that last year's was based off the server time which is GMT. But it might have changed if Dave changed it

For the beginning of trading, it depends on if DND set it up for midnight on the 6th in GMT with it resulting in the 7pm EST listed or 7pm which would result in a 2pm start EST

I think Dave adjusted the times that appear in swap profiles to comport with standard U.S. time zones. The swap that just ended began at 7 pm Eastern as specified for the swap. It should be consistent across swaps, so this one should be the same.

mmolyson said:For clarity, the time frames listed as CST are Central Standard Time and are not referencing Grenache Mean Time at all. Right? This is my first seed swap, and wouldn't you know it I live in EST and have been invited to an event on Dec 5th! I'm trying to figure out how to squeeze in a few minutes on the internet somewhere without looking too obsessed or rude!

I'm laughing with you, not at you. I have used a slightly longer than average trip to the bathroom in the past. The first day's dibbing is the easiest to sneak off for, because it is the fastest. 3-5 minutes, and it is over. Although, if you offered super sought after seeds, people may take them the first day, and there could be tickets coming in for a few more minutes that you would want to use right away. 10 minutes should be more than enough.
I have an Iris Society meeting 2 hours away at 6:30 pm on the 7th. I have a friend driving me, so I can dib on the phone along the way. She already knows I'm obsessed!

Ya, first day is easiest since it only takes a couple minutes. Day 3 or 4 seems hardest for me, lots of tickets to spend & too many seeds to choose from.

I think because of all the confusion a couple years ago, Dave took pity on us and fixed it so the times were more coherent. Hopefully Dave will chime in with the official answer.

The confusion arises because there is a conflict between what Dave refers to in his orientation video and Hammerofjustice pointed out as being in the FAQ's and the other info posted with the dates. I guess Dogsndaylillies needs to update her FAQ's. Having said that, I feel confident that if I come to the seed swap at 7PM EST that I will be on time. I truly appreciate everyone trying to help me.
DraDiana, I will have to use your ploy of sneaking off to the restroom because I will be at a charity auction with a bunch of ladies. Hopefully we will still be eating dinner!

We are not, I repeat, we are not obsessed!

Speak for yourself. 😂

@mmolyson, you go for it girl!

I confess. Every year one of these swaps occurs on my birthday, on Nov. 18. As a family, we all go to the Olive Garden since it's my favorite food.
Imagine 10 people all sitting around the table when my alarm goes off to remind me & I whip out my phone and warm up my trigger finger!!! Yes, everyone knows what I'm doing and it's ok because it's only a few minutes. Right? And it's my birthday.
Also got caught whipping out my phone at a wienie roast this past swap also.
A gardeners got to do what a gardeners gotta do! Lol.
Now I do find the idea of a 10 minute bathroom break something to think about!
Thanks for the idea!

The swaps are like getting Christmas presents! I used to start winter sowing on winter solstice December 21. I loved winter sowing. No winter in FL to sow! No frost or dreary endless winters either.

I gave away my plants over a year ago when I moved south and stored my seeds with a friend (in his cool dry audiotape storage room). Seeds offered in the swap are collected in FL.

Ladyreneer said:
Imagine 10 people all sitting around the table when my alarm goes off to remind me & I whip out my phone and warm up my trigger finger!!! Yes, everyone knows what I'm doing and it's ok because it's only a few minutes. Right? And it's my birthday.

I love it!!!