Terri, I am not sure yet if I can come. It is too bad that it is not on the 13th. Then Marilyn could come and give a ride to me. She still has to make up her mind if she is coming to the swap. Actually people could go to both on the 13th, because the other one starts at 10 am and finishes at 1:00 pm. From what I saw on FB, you do not even have to sign in. But it also said that people could take any plants that appeal to them, regardless if they were brought for someone else, and labelled. I do not really like that-I do have experiences with that kind of thing---and I stay away from them.

Francine. We never seem to find a date that works for everyone!

You know, I do have some of those trays and I have an unused dome on top of something that I cannot reach now, you definitely CANNOT SIT on it. Not even a baby can sit on it! My problem outside, are 4 neighboring cats---they would dig the soil. I have bought volcanic gravel, and it helps---I cover the top----, it has to be all covered----I do not think they like the feeling of the gravel-I tried to be friendly to them, I know one belongs to my next door neighbor, and another one, a beautiful goldish white long haired from the neighbors across the street. They just ignored my friendly 'kitty' 'kitty' calls---

Francine, the black 1020 trays I just ordered are far more sturdy than the "usual" ones you get for $1-2, and the humidity trays are also a lot sturdier. The description for the Mega Heavy Duty trays shows 1 grown man standing in a tray and being lifted by 2 other guys. I was just saying not to have similar expectations for the humidity domes. But I would bet that both of them are sturdier than what you have.

I would try to deter the cats with citrus or herb scents (either essential oils or actual plants), in case you can't get the gravel everywhere. I'm going to see if I can propagate my mint and plant it around the veggie bed to keep the bunnies out, same idea.

Is anyone interested in forsythia? I'm going to be taking out several older shrubs.

I will take some if you have enough to spare. Thank you, @RickM .

Jill, I just have to wait until I know that I will be coming to pick them up. I do not remember where I bought mine long long time ago. They are pretty sturdy too, but maybe not as sturdy as the ones you are ordering. As soon as I hear what my friend decided to do, I will let you know, maybe too late to put in an order.

Francine, I already ordered (and received) the ones I'm bringing to people at the swap. If you find out you're coming, I can spare one or two trays, but there aren't any extra humidity domes. Although you'll be missed, I think you should see if you can get another ticket and go to the concert with your friend!

Josie helped me divide some water iris the other day. She was dripping with black muck to her eyeballs!

I think I have both japanese irises and louisiana irises in my water garden pots... are the japanese the ones with the thin, almost grass-like leaves?

Becky!!! So great to see you pop in. My gardens have changed a lot since you saw them at the swap I hosted in 2011. Sure wish you were still in the area. Frick and Frack, the duo will never be forgotten Were you Frick and Chantell Frack or vice versa

@ Becky_No_UK_AL jealous of what?! You live in paradise!!

Terri - Bec & I were Tweedledee and tweedledumb and we never quite agreed who would be tweedledumb just saying. Makes me giggle. Just thinking about it!

Jill - no I've got a look up with the water irises. Not that I have a pond. Mind you lol. However, I did just order a lotus from a guy on FB group…something I haven't tried before this is a 'bowl' Lotus so manageable for me.

Chantell, that's right! Tweedledee and Tweedledumb Frick and Frack was kinda close, my usually great memory is definitely not what it used to be!

Chantell, even the small/mid lotus will do fine in a container, although you do need to repot every year, two at the most. I think they just get too rootbound otherwise. I think it's about time to do another TWL order, see if we can get some wholesale pricing from them next year. They have probably already stopped shipping lotus this spring, although I haven't checked.

No, it won't work. Concert is close to her place, but far from my place----It is alright---If I do not go, there is still lots of things for me to do-I still need to kill and eliminate some honey suckle bushes----I thought I cut them all down, but yesterday I saw still some standing, also some more black walnuts---

Terri - I might be bring Chloe and possibly Mariah with me if ok. I'll know when we're closer to the swap date. Hard to believe Chloe will be 16 and was at our very first swap - only a few weeks old.

Jill, I am fine with anything on the trays/domes. And yes, the Japanese Iris have thin straight leaves.

Chantell, if you are getting Egyptian onions, I will split or buy some from you if you have some to spare. I found them to be very pricey online, but worth it I think esp. if splitting. They are super easy to grow, they just shoot up in the spring first thing, sometimes even in the snow and I always cook with them, I esp. like to put them in my omelet in the morning. They are used just like spring onions, although they are not as tender but doesn't matter if you are cooking them, I even use the tops fresh without cooking too. I love to have greens in early spring outside to harvest as all other greens are at least a month or two away and they always come back plentifully.

Does anyone grow figs? I am thinking of getting a fig tree this spring, any recommendations?

I know Jill does and hers is mature now and producing figs. I got a Chicago Hardy fig two years ago - one of the more cold hardy varieties. It has made it through our winters so far but is still immature. Not sure how long it takes to start producing.

Mine is either Chicago Hardy or Celeste (I bought both and don't know which one made it, not a hardiness difference, other factors). It dies to the ground some years, so I don't always get figs. I'm thinking of potting an offshoot... this one is just too big to wrap for winter protection, and that seems to be needed. I'll see what kind of cuttings I can get started... recently watched a show where somebody took cuttings, put them on a heat mat, and had really good roots 2 weeks later.

There's nothing in the world like a fresh fig! yum yum yum

@crystals a co-worker of mine used to bring figs to the office. He highly recommended 'brown turkey'. I have never grown one though.

Remember your microclimate, too.
Gita used to root fig cuttings.
Some critter told me figs have yummy bark.