Hi all,
if we are interested we could have our swap at my church (although there is a dog equipment sale going on also). We would have to bring some chairs and tables (they would provide a couple of tables and some chairs). We would have access to the bathrooms, a playground and electricity. There is no cost as we would be outside. The church is located at Central and Glendale avenues in Phoenix. It's also close to two different community gardens as well as the The Root (Urban Farm Nursery) at 7120 N. 12th St.
Phoenix 85020 (602) 680-7249

I know Dete was looking too, but this may be an alternative. LMK what you think

Hi Jackie - I haven't heard anything about preparing for a SWAP. I leave it to you to find out the level of interest. Have you asked the folks at DG? Sometimes they tend to be organized for a party.

Hi, I've posted on DG but only received a couple indications of interest - it's so much harder since we fragmented. I miss the old gang on DG... I'm going to post again to see if there is enough interest...don't want to leave anyone out...

I was only there for a year before the great break-up and never actually got to any of the swap meets, but I know what you mean, Jackie.

I agree Jackie, I sure miss hearing from so many that were on DG. Wish they would all show up here !

It sure is fragmented - I've actually been on GW, where many of us started out together - Susie, Barb, Detrick, Awanda, Usha, Jim D., Eileen, Lynn R., Becky, Dann L., Lazygardens, Grant, Susie bird lady, Sharon (x2), Judy B .... I see some on GW, although it is mostly Phx newbies asking questions and then gone. I still am in touch with a few on Facebook, as well - Barb, Alan, and a few DG friends from out east.

Kind of a discouraging state of affairs - there's some that just don't want anything to do with gardening forums and concurrent drama.

I recognize alot of those name sheryl. Miss them.

Being overwhelmed at work, I somehow missed what the big drama was that caused the exodus from DG.

Sale of DG to yet another 3rd party and a non-compete clause that was questioned.... the new 3rd party wasn't really great about incorporating feedback and there are a lot of people very loyal to Dave and Trish, so the lines were drawn.

As with most internet arguments, it is now the past and all we have are memories of what was shared....

Well stated, Sheryl. Too bad, isn't it?

It really is. It took me a long time to realize that arguing on the net is usually no more than a tempest in a teacup, and does no one any good in the long run.... so I try hard not to engage. Doesn't always work.

I've learned the same lessons.

I guess getting older has it perks!

I wish I could learn the same lessons, too. But it looks like I'll have to be positively ancient first.

One of the things I do like about ATP is that many of the people who ended up here brought some gardening experience and knowledge. One could sometimes lose patience with people who seemed to know nothing and who clearly treated the forums less as a place to exchange ideas than as a place to get free consultation. Of course we are all made better by trying to answer newbie questions.

Some of the people who have not yet joined ATP had off-the-wall senses of humor that brightened things up a bit. And Alan is one of the few people I know in AZ who gardens roses very seriously. I was saddened when he disappeared from here.

If I'm thinking of the correct Alan, he's on FB. Grant, and Becky are, too. I do miss the 'gang.' It makes me realize there are so many things that have their own 'seasons' so if I like it I'd better enjoy it while it lasts.

I dropped in to see if there's anything new and except for quietyard's dressed up peaches, it appears not much.

I know a lot of people stuck with DG, but some - like me - were so put off by the acquisition and the nastiness that followed that we left. The person who spoke for the new ownership was ill-equipped to deal with the anger and consternation that followed the shut-out of Dave. So... We went to Cubits. I thought everyone was happy there - until Dave started up this forum. Now, it seems all the forums (fora?) are sparsely populated. I loved Cubits and wish Dave had left it there.

I went back to GW, where I started years ago. I don't mind the advice-seekers, 'newbies', or now-and-then posters. What I do mind is when someone asks a question, gets responses and never returns.

Frankly, this forum has pretty much turned into a chatroom, with little discussion of plants and garden issues. I learn more at GW.

Hey, I'll give you advice even if you don't ask a question!! You know me, never one to be shy...

Yeah, I asked Alan for a response to a poster on GW and he offered his e-mail address, but said he'd pretty much had it with gardening forums. Having gotten rained on a couple of times by said tempests, I understand. Yet, here I am....

I must say, I do prefer the way Dave has structured these forums. There's a few little perks to being here. It also doesn't seem to get the newbie-here-and-gone traffic as much; seems like people come and stay more often than on GW.

Anywho, I made some great buys at the Metro Tech master gardener tables, maybe I'll get a chance to take some pics tomorrow. If so, I'll put them up.

I tend to like the format better at DG, but mostly I miss the friendly and cohesive group we had going. I'm still in touch with some people, but it was so nice to see everybody posting in one place

True. I'm kind of surprised now that the dust has settled that more folks haven't transitioned over - it isn't a pay-for site, after all... or am I the only one that cheap, lol? Were there people on the SW forums who got into it with each other? I guess there was a permanent fracture over at GW.

I'm here and love ATP. I'm not gardening now due to a crazy school schedule and moving into an apartment. So a swap isn't in my future until I graduate and own a home again. But I always love seeing garden friends and I still do, just not in an organized swap.

My coleus on my patio look awesome though! It faces east and they are thriving. Actually, everything is now that the weather is cooler.