2021 Spring Plant Swap - Details and Updates

What: 2021 Spring Plant Swap
When: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Where: The home of Rick Moses, Derwood, MD

Registration Began: June, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2021 Spring Plant Swap
Trading Begins: April 29, 2021
Trading Ends: May 13, 2021

This swap is being hosted by Rick Moses (RickM). Directions will be posted the week of the swap.

There are two threads set up for the Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2021 Spring Plant Swap.

The first thread (this one)is to let us know who is attending and what food or beverage item they are bringing for the pot luck lunch.
2021 Spring Plant Swap - Details and Updates

The second thread is for general chat about the swap. This thread also contains information on how the swap will be conducted.
2021 Spring Plant Swap - CHAT

If you've never been to an in-person swap, don't be shy! After all, where else can you go and hang out with a bunch of people talking about plants with enthusiasm? Of course, we can't forget about the food!

Please note that I am recycling the data from the original Spring 2020 swap that was cancelled. Any information you may have put in for offerings is still there. Please review.


Swap Date: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Time: Noon until . . .
Who: NGA Members and their guests (scroll down thread for list of attendees)

As with past swaps, we will be using the Seed Swap tool here on the NGA site. A link to the swap will be posted when available.

Useful Links:
~-~-~-~-~-~-~

What you've bought/dibbed
What you've sold

Swap Control Panel
Swap Events Log (Adds, Deletes and Dibs)
Complete Swap List

2021 Spring Plant Swap - CHAT

What: 2021 Spring Plant Swap
When: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Where: The home of Rick Moses, Derwood, MD

Registration Began: June, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2021 Spring Plant Swap
Trading Begins: April 29, 2021
Trading Ends: May 13, 2021

This swap is being hosted by Rick Moses (RickM). Directions will be posted the week of the swap.

There are two threads set up for the Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2021 Spring Plant Swap.

The first thread is to let us know who is attending and what food or beverage item they are bringing for the pot luck lunch.
2021 Spring Plant Swap - Details and Updates

The second thread (this one) is for general chat about the swap. This thread also contains information on how the swap will be conducted.
2021 Spring Plant Swap - CHAT

If you've never been to an in-person swap, don't be shy! After all, where else can you go and hang out with a bunch of people talking about plants with enthusiasm? Of course, we can't forget about the food!

Please note that I am recycling the data from the original Spring 2020 swap that was cancelled. Any information you may have put in for offerings is still there. Please review.


Swap Date: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Time: Noon until . . .
Who: NGA Members and their guests (scroll down thread for list of attendees)

As with past swaps, we will be using the Seed Swap tool here on the NGA site. A link to the swap will be posted when available.

Useful Links:
~-~-~-~-~-~-~

What you've bought/dibbed
What you've sold

Swap Control Panel
Swap Events Log (Adds, Deletes and Dibs)
Complete Swap List


Last Updated: 14-May-2021 08:00pm

25-ish Attending (User ID, From):
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
© Rick (RickM, Derwood, MD)(Host)
© Bob & Sheela (CrystalSalt) NEW!
© Chantell (Chantell, Mid-VA) Welcome Back!
© Francine, (TanteFrancine, Falls Church, VA)
© Frenchy (Frenchy21, Falls Church, VA)
- Irene & Rick (Gaithersburg, MD) NEW!
© Kathy K & Hubby (KKevaney03) NEW!
- Kathy & Steve (Derwood, MD) NEW!
© Jess & Whitney (Bethesda, MD) NEW!
© Lisa & Eric (5601Lisa, Washington, DC)
© Michele & Chris (Derwood, MD) NEW!
© Pat(ecnalg, Lucketts, VA)
© Ralph Gamba & Mary Cramer (RalphGamba, ) Welcome Back!
© Robin B & Joyce ( ? ) (RobinBunch5, Odenton, MD)
© Sally (SallyG, Central MD)
© Susan (Sulurph, Potomac, MD)
© Terri & SIL Bonnie (AspenHill, Lucketts, VA)


Pot Luck Lunch... Who's Bringing What:
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~
- Bob & Sheela: Misc Snacks (includig apples)
- Francine: Black sticky rice pudding w/ coconut cream sauce, Pineapple
- Frenchy: Barbeque chicken tenders/wings
- Jess & Whitney: Dessert
- Kathy K: Potato Salad
- Lisa & Eric: Pernil Asado (Puerto Rican pork dish), Sangria
- Pat: Ambrosia
- Ralph: Panino tray w/ bread, 2 bottles of soda
- Robin B: Brownies
- Rick*: Larry's Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, Fresh Fruit for sangria
- Sally: Quiche, Wine for Sangria
- Terri: Deviled Eggs

* While it would be nice to use 'real' plates, flatware, etc., I'm going the 'disposables' route: paper plates, plastic flatware, etc. The fresh fruit consists of apples, pears, mango, papaya, pineapple, lemon, lime, watermelon)

Misc Stuff... Who's Bringing What:
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~
- Bob & Sheela: 3 Chairs
- Francine: Chair
- Frenchy: 2 Chairs, 2 bags of ice
- Lisa & Eric: 2 Chairs
- Pat: Chair
- Ralph & Mary: 3 Chairs
- Rick: Masks, Hand sanitizer
- Sally: Chair

Notes:
- I picked up some plastic handles mugs for beverages.

YES!! I'm hoping and nearly hopping with excitement.

I am not planning to organize a seed swap this year. There may be safe venues (Dutch Plant Farm comes to mind), but I'm still running back and forth to Pittsburgh to help my parents, leaving again after this weekend. If anybody wants to put one together, I'll be glad to assist in whatever way I can (I have nametags and a big box of misc. available seeds).

No way on seed swap. Don't even feel guilty. My 2 cents anyway.

I agree - the Spring plant swap will do just fine, plus it gives us more time to get vaccinated.

That's what I figured, but realized I hadn't actually mentioned it as such.

OK, on to planning for SPRING!

In anticipation of actually having a plant swap in May, I'm planning on ordering some water crystals. The cost is $72.00 for 10 pounds. It's shipped as 2-5 pound bags, which I'm planning on breaking up into 8 ounce and 16 ounce packs.

If anyone is interested, the 8 ounce pack will be $3.60 and the 16 ounce will be $7.20.

Please let me know if you're interested so that I can plan accordingly. In the event that the swap doesn't happen, we can make arrangements for pick up.

I WILL NOT ship.

Rick, please put me down for a 16oz pack. Thanks

Rick, I'd like an 8oz pack...never tried these before, but sounds interesting. Thanks!

I love love love polymer moisture crystals, and the price from Watersorb is SO much better than getting a container of SoilMoist. Seriously, the crystals are the best thing for containers -- without them, I'd be watering twice a day in the sun and still getting wilted plants. I use them every time I transplant, too, usually together with time-release fertilizer.

I don't think I need any at present. But I had to chime in to say how indespensible they are in my garden! For more raving from me, see

Well, spring in officially here. At this point, I'm still moving ahead with the spring swap. Now, all we need is for the infection rate to keep dropping, the immunization rate to keep rising and keep hoping that people don't go all stupid as restrictions are lifted.

Assuming we're a go, I will have disposable masks and hand sanitizer on hand.

In the meantime, start scouring your yard for those 'extra' items that you can definitely live without. After all, how else are you going to have room to bring hoe the treasures that you can't live without?

Rick, I'm glad this looks like it will be a go. It has felt so strange not having any of our annual get togethers last year. I'm so ready to see everyone.

I think it safe to say that we all need this to happen.

Yep, I've arranged my Pittsburgh / Frederick schedule to be relatively sure of being in Frederick a few days before the swap! Odds are the only things I'll be bringing and taking home with me are smiles & distance-hugs.

Oh please. You just know there will be something that you just have to have. It's the nature of the gardening addiction.

I know it's early, but here's something to think about. Normally, we have a pot luck lunch at the swaps, with everyone bringing their favorite dish. I'm throwing this out there for discussion...

Rather than people bringing food from home, do we want to chip in money had have something provided from a local eatery? There are a number of options nearby such as asian, italian, tex-mex, etc.

Just a thought.

I'm up for something like that Rick. Maybe we could try to get something that could be served outside instead of all crowding into the house?

Are you concerned about passing germs arround or just wanting to try something different? I agree about serving outside, but it doesn't seem like COVID19 is passed via surface contact (touching serving dishes/spoons etc). I'm up for anything. I like the camraderie of a pot luck, but taking advantage of having good food from nearby is fine also! After all, the Chef Lin seed swap tradition started because I was too unwell to host a tea party gathering at my home... and now we look forward to the food there as well as the company and the seeds!

I'm new here, but used to attend a plant swap in Burtonsville, MD. Is this the same swap moved to a different location? Are all trades prearranged or do people bring there "excess" plants for others to take? Is this a "buy and sell" swap?

Thank you,
Ralph

Glad you found us Ralph!

I can't speak to swaps more than 7 years ago, so I don't know if it's the same group or not.

We generally have 2 plants swaps each year, one spring and one fall. Someone volunteers to host the swap at their home. We have found that it not only spreads the work around the group, but it also gives us a chance to visit other member gardens.

As far as the plants, we do pre-arrange some swapping here through the 'seed swap tool'. The current swap is located at Mid-Atlantic Gardeners 2021 Spring Plant Swap .

We also encourage people to bring extras and last minute finds to the swap. We set up two tables, a 'free to good home' for plants, and a door prize table.

The 'free to good home' table is for extra plants and stuff, while the door prize table is more for the drawing later in the day. Each member pulls a number out of a hat/pot/whatever. We then go in turn to pick something from the door prize table. After everyone has had a chance, the rest it up for grabs.

There are two highlight of the swap. (As though free plants aren't enough!) The first is the chance to meet everyone face-to face (or, mask-to-mask) and catch up on each others lives. The best part though is the pot luck lunch. Everyone brings a dish, hot or cold, to share from the buffet table.

When all is said and done, you leave with a full belly, a vehicle load of new plants and great memories.

The only warning I would give is that you have to keep a close eye on your pile of plants. It has been known to happen that you end up taking home a stray that wandered into your collection.

Well, pooh. Despite my best intentions, I won't be able to make it to the swap after all. But I'm glad to say that my Dad has been doing really well... so glad that he turned the corner with the depression yuk a few weeks before Mom passed.

I'll think of you all on the day!!