I am a newbie to a swap. Is it the more seeds you have the more chance you get? I just started gardening and this sounds like lots of fun, and a way to find seeds I can't find at a department store.

@scgibbs,
The more seeds other swappers actually dib on, the more seeds you get. However, if you are new, you'll find you get a real nice package of seeds even if the ones you offer turn out not to be all that popular.
And yes, it is very fun!!

I am very new and having a hard time navigating the forums and website. This sounds like fun and I would love to participate. I have some seeds from last year. Some were never even opened for flowers and veggies.
When is this going to happen and how do I participate.

Welcome welcome all newbies! I know I speak for everyone here, we are DELIGHTED to have you all join us! @Scgibbs and @CarlaMB watch the video that you can find at the top of the seed swapping home page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Sign up for our "practice swap" I think it is listed just below this one (maybe 2 down) on the main swap page. The swaps are real easy once you've tried one. Most swaps have a minimum # of seed packets to offer in order to participate. The practice swap you only need to offer one seed packet. Us Veterans are supplying most of the seeds for everyone to bid on so that you can get your feet wet. There is a cost listed, but you will be holding on to the seeds that others have bid on until this swap. You will not need to send in the fee for that swap - the fee is postage to get all your seeds back, so by sending in the seeds for the two swaps together there will only be one fee.

Everyone gets the same number of tickets every night at the same time. When the tickets are credited to you, you start selecting the seeds you want, there may be a bit of competition to get highly desirable seeds ( those that have been wishlisted several times). A little bit of strategy comes in to play here, but that's part of the great fun!

Check out the video, then start looking through the seeds that have already been posted on this and the practice swap, mark them with your stars to start creating your own wishlist!

Don't be afraid to ask questions, we are all addicted here and are more than happy to help you take our extra seeds!!!

scgibbs said:I am a newbie to a swap. Is it the more seeds you have the more chance you get? I just started gardening and this sounds like lots of fun, and a way to find seeds I can't find at a department store.

Sort of what he/she said...Newbie to swap and didn't just start gardening, but interested! Just moved from CA to AR, but brought seeds I had planned to plant in CA--no idea if many of them will work in AR!

This is not a 1-for-1 swap. Pls read requirements for min. # packs to participate. The # of seed packets you get to choose depends on the total number posted by everyone, not by you individually. Everyone gets the same amount of tickets to "buy" and then you earn more tickets based on the number of your seeds that someone else picks (so this is a benefit to.offering more and interesting seeds)

Have you checked out the video that shows how the swap works?

Let us know if you have other questions.

I have done swaps on Facebook but new to this swap would love to join the swap!!!

Hi @amb92681

We'd be happy to have you. You are welcome to join the swaps: The Jan. 24 is a preswap,which is set up to help newbies get into the swing of things before the Feb 1-day "lightning round" which happens all in one night, so it moves faster.

Check out the youtube video tutorial of how the swap works on the main swap page:
https://garden.org/apps/swap/
This is a walk through by Dave, who wrote the swap program here

@Munchkinsmom and @CarlaMB did you find the video tutorial? Any questions?

Let us know! I haven't been on here as much this weekend, and find my phone more difficult to write longer explanations, so if I left anything out, feel free to ask

@Munchkinsmom I noted that swap is not a 1-for-1, but you will walk away with alot more than 1-for-1 swapping, esp'lly in the combined Jan/Feb swaps.

We are so happy for new swappers!

To all the newbies who might see this in January,

The pre-Feb swap indicates that you must sign up for both, but this swap is filling up, and IF it fills up I will either revised a few more slots OR you can do the January swap ONLY...if you wish, as a trial to swap in the future.

Any questions, let me know!
:D

Val