to ATP @molanic

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! My gardens are not very big, under 1/4 acre typical suburban lot. I just like to try lots of different plants and have crammed a lot of individual plants into small spaces. It is not totally native plants, but I have been adding far more natives than non-natives the past few years. I still have more turf grass than I'd like though.

I've been doing some looking around to try and familiarize myself with the site. I read through some of the posts about the new swap system, but there are a whole lot of them. Is there a summary post of how it all works that I missed? Is it best to add plants to a main plant inventory list that you can use from year to year and then copy entries over to a swap list. I saw the option in the plant list to mark items available for trade also, is that a separate thing from adding it to the swap list. My preference would be to just have things listed as available for a group swap and not individual trades for now.

I think I will have some time to figure it all out after I join, but want to make sure I am doing things correctly. There isn't a way to add things to lists in bulk like with a delimited text file is there? I have most of my seed I trade already in an Access database that I use to generate lists, packet labels, trade spreadsheets, etc. I didn't see an import option, but wanted to make sure I wasn't just missing it before I start adding things manually.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

@molanic you will need to create a seed list in the swap program, since the system operates off of that list. Go ahead and join the swap. After you join on the main "Hibiscus and Wildflower swap dashboard you will see a thread called "Questions and Answers". You can post all you questions there and I will do my best to answer them.

Molanic, if you add your plants to your "Plant List" (not the same as the swap list), you can add the ones you want to swap directly from the Plant List using the icon on the right-hand side of each entry that looks like 2 curved arrows forming a circle.

Unfortunately, I don't believe there is any way to add to your plant list from a delimited file.

Also, to add to your Plant List, your entry will need to match an entry that's in the ATP Plant Database; if there is no matching entry in the database, you can request that one be entered. On the other hand, entries in your swap list can either be linked to the plant database, or can just be a typed-in entry.

That all sounds quite confusing when I re-read it; it's really much simpler than I made it sound!

Edited to say: This is an article that you may find helpful in terms of getting around and using the features in ATP: http://garden.org/ideas/view/d...

Thanks for the link @Weedwhacker, that should be helpful. I did just add the plants that meet the criteria for the swap to a list and it didn't take very long at all. I'm going to start packing up for my other swap this week and will have a better idea of what I have left. Then I will use that green copy icon to move the things I have left to a swap list and add in the pertinent info like number of packets. It seems like a pretty handy system!

I'm heading over to join now @Horntoad. I might be able to lure another native trader or two over here too.

I'm another native/pollinator gardener from GardenWeb. I don't do much trading. Mostly I donate seeds to others who are getting started. But, this is a good chance to try something new and learn about another plant-friendly site and its members. So, count me in. I will go create my plant list, hopefully.

Docmom

Hi Docmom, So glad you decided to join us.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Yep. Welcome Docmom. I moved from GardenWeb years ago. To DG. I moved a year or so ago from DG to ATP. Since the Houzz take over of GW, I never go there any more. About the only time I ever go to DG now is only for the Watch Dog.

ATP meets all my needs and I like it here and all the good and sharing folks here. Several swaps going on now here.

Welcome to All Things Plants, @Docmom !

With regard to the swaps -- note that there is a difference between the "plant list" and the list that needs to be created for the swap; but if you add all of your plants to your "plant list," there's an icon with each entry that will let you also add it to a "swap list."

Sorry, that sounds very confusing when I re-read it -- the "plant list" that I'm referring to is accessed via the menu on the left side of the page, along with the plant database, ideas and articles, etc.

I'm so glad you joined @Docmom! Weedwhacker and Horntoad had to explain to me the differences between the types of lists also. The plant lists is a way to keep track of all the plants you have, previously had, or want for whatever purpose you need. I believe if you mark things as available for trade there, it shows you are willing to be contacted about trading on a one on one basis. People post about trading in the seed trading forum here just like on gardenweb and can contact individuals they want to trade with as well. The plant list is also how on the plant database pages it shows "15 Members have this plant, 5 members want this plant". To add things to a plant list, it has to have a match to the database. I noticed there are some entries in the database that are just at genus level. So you can add something as just rudbeckia without knowing exactly which one it is.

The "seed swap" link on the sidebar of the site is the new part. That section is specifically for these group swaps where things are more automated. At the bottom of that page there are green buttons to manage your primary swap list and view other people's list. When you manage your own primary swap list you can type things in directly that you want to use in group swaps. If there is match in the plant database it links to it, if not it just uses whatever you type in as the name of the plant. You can quickly add things to your swap list and then go back later and edit them to add in quantities you have, notes, pictures, etc., or remove an entry.

An alternative way to add things to your swap list is if you already have a plant list on the site. You just look at your plant list and hit the icon that looks like green arrows to add that plant to your primary swap list.

Once you have your primary swap list and have joined one or more swaps, there will be a column in your swap list for each swap you are in with checkmarks that let you make that item available for that particular swap. That way you can make each item available for only the swaps you choose, or none at all.

Someone please correct me if I'm getting anything wrong! I am still new to this myself.

As far as choosing things you want from other people's list, Horntoad posted a good example to explain it below. It is basically that you browse other people's lists and keep a wishlist going of things you want from them ranked with stars for how much you want it. Then when the actual swapping week begins you are able to pull up your wishlist and actually select things you want from it. There is a system that lets people select a certain number per day to try and keep it fair.

http://garden.org/thread/view_...

Then when that portion is done everyone gets a printout of what they need to pack up for each swapper and mail to the host. You have a week for that portion.

I was a little unsure of how many seed packets to list and what to put it in for seed quantity, since I don't normally count seeds or make up a bunch of packets ahead of time. I just eyeballed it and made a very conservative estimate. I have empty seed packets and labels ready to go, with only some filled ahead of time. As long as you don't list more than you have or are willing to send, it should be fine. I think you are able to add more during the swap phase if something seems popular and you have more of it...if I'm not mistaken.

I don't think there is going to be like 25 participants either unless there is a sudden rush! So there shouldn't be an overwhelming amount of packets to send. I tried to add as much variety as I could knowing not everyone would want everything, and other swappers may list many of the same things I did also.

"The "seed swap" link on the sidebar of the site is the new part. That section is specifically for these group swaps where things are more automated. At the bottom of that page there are green buttons to manage your primary swap list and view other people's list. When you manage your own primary swap list you can type things in directly that you want to use in group swaps. If there is match in the plant database it links to it, if not it just uses whatever you type in as the name of the plant. You can quickly add things to your swap list and then go back later and edit them to add in quantities you have, notes, pictures, etc., or remove an entry.

An alternative way to add things to your swap list is if you already have a plant list on the site. You just look at your plant list and hit the icon that looks like green arrows to add that plant to your primary swap list.

Once you have your primary swap list and have joined one or more swaps, there will be a column in your swap list for each swap you are in with checkmarks that let you make that item available for that particular swap. That way you can make each item available for only the swaps you choose, or none at all.

As far as choosing things you want from other people's list, Horntoad posted a good example to explain it below. It is basically that you browse other people's lists and keep a wishlist going of things you want from them ranked with stars for how much you want it. Then when the actual swapping week begins you are able to pull up your wishlist and actually select things you want from it. There is a system that lets people select a certain number per day to try and keep it fair.

http://garden.org/thread/view_...

Then when that portion is done everyone gets a printout of what they need to pack up for each swapper and mail to the host. You have a week for that portion."

Morgan, You explained that so cleanly that I might want to borrow it from you. Would you mind?

Good job with the explanation, Morgan!!

I think this is what you meant, but just to clarify, the swap host sets the number of "picks" that the members get to make each day (which should be stated somewhere in their description and rules for the swap). The length of time allowed for sign-up, the actual swapping process, and the time allowed for mailing to the host and then back to the members are also all determined by the host.

As far as counting seeds -- the "count" for your swap list entry doesn't have to actually be a number; you can also go by things such as 1/4 teaspoon, "a pinch," 1/2 ounce, and so on. Or use something like "approx. 100 seeds."

I think the smaller size (in terms of members) of these initial swaps is going to be a good chance for everyone to start becoming familiar with the system (as well as to continue to work out any bugs or needed changes) without too much stress.

Feel free to use whatever part of it you want Alana. I haven't actually completed a swap myself and am totally new to the site, so I have just been reading about the new system in various threads trying to figure it all it. I wasn't able to find a single guide to the new system that brings all the information from the forum postings together...perhaps because it is so new. I think I learned about the plant list uses from watching a You-tube video on the All Things Plants channel.

One thing I think this site could use is a FAQ section someplace really obvious and not just posts in forums. It would help new and existing users use the site to its full potential. Some things are intuitive, but others not so much. I was especially confused by profile settings. When you say you want to watch or follow threads, I was thinking that meant get an e-mail, because that is how most other forum sites I've used do it. So that is going to take a bit of getting used to. Overall though I am very happy and I think this is the most flexible and feature rich gardening site I have tried so far. I've been trying out the multi-plant image tagging which is pretty neat. I've finally found a good use for all the plant pictures I've been taking over the past decade. I'd rather have them added to the plant database where they could be of use to others than just sitting on my computer "collecting dust."

molanic said: I wasn't able to find a single guide to the new system that brings all the information from the forum postings together...perhaps because it is so new.

You are right. The 'Beta Swap' was just completed a few weeks ago. The new system was created with the intent of several people being able to conduct swaps simultaneously, so these three swaps that are about to happen will be the first test of the systems handling of multi-swaps.

molanic said:

One thing I think this site could use is a FAQ section someplace really obvious and not just posts in forums. It would help new and existing users use the site to its full potential. ."

I been here for some time. Have no idea how to do something and no place to look. And a big long question in the search box is usually useless.

This forum might be helpful to some newcomers, particularly the top 'sticky' threads:

http://garden.org/forums/view/...

I agree that the site needs a FAQ section -- there is a lot of information about using the site, but it's very scattered around. This article may be helpful: http://garden.org/ideas/view/d...

Sharon said:This forum might be helpful to some newcomers, particularly the top 'sticky' threads:

http://garden.org/forums/view/...

Very helpful. Too bad just a moment ago is the first time I ever saw it. How does one find it other than clicking a link like above?

Click on that link and on the righthand side of the page click on watch this forum, it will be add to your home page watch list. Also if you have any question about about how to do something on the site you can ask in that forum.

"How does one find it other than clicking a link like above?"

I agree that is a problem...

In the case of the "Welcome" forum, If you click on forums in the left-hand sidebar, to order things by forum type and name instead of most recent activity, and then scroll way down to near the end, you will find the welcome forum. I think it's also helpful to look at the list that way just to become familiar with the different types of forums... the general gardening group, a group devoted to specific types of plants, another for specific geographical regions, and so on.