MMaid, that's a good point about how it would make the swap feel impersonal if we did all our trading via the tool without talking about it. I really like the idea of continuing to talk about and ask for plants on the swap thread (and I think we did a lot of that during the spring swap), then put dibs on the plant via the swap tool for record keeping purposes.

I think using the tool is easier than following up requests with tree-mails as people have asked in the past (also for record keeping purposes). I'd much rather keep track with the tool than by updating lists in a post or in a notebook, so if anybody wants plants I'm offering, by all means ask about them on the thread, but please please use the tool to reserve them.

Best of both worlds?

RickM said:...you'll be thinking.... [ W H A T [ A B U N C H O F W H A C K O S ! ! ! Which would be a fairly accurate observation.

Speak for yourself <ducking and running>

@Shy_gardner - not all of us are blessed with large yards (mine is a townhouse) but much like anything else in life...you do the best you can with what you have! Sometimes that means digging up a few things for a swap so I can plant something I've lusted after...it's all good!!!

I really did not want to use the tool , but now that I have it is definitely my preferred method. I still asked people that didn't use it , for plants and tried my best to follow the chat threads for people looking for and offering things.

I even looked up my "sold" list at the swap because I did not write down who got what before I got there.

I'm glad it worked for you, Kurt. I think we can chat on the threads and keep track with the tool... Say you see that somebody has listed "purple-spotted whacky plant" that you've been wanting... click to put dibs on one, then go to the thread and post "Hey, Sam, I just requested one of your whacky plant seedlings, and I'm so excited! I've been wanting one forever!! Thanks for offering it." Or post first to ask about the plant, then go to the tool to post a dibs, either way.

I think the tool is a great replacement for endlessly editing a haves list on a thread or for following up a request with a tree-mail. I don't think we'll ever switch to just putting dibs on things without chatting about them... we like to talk plants too much! Besides, how else will you learn that "purple-spotted whacky plant" likes wet feet?

critterologist said:
I think the tool is a great replacement for endlessly editing a haves list on a thread or for following up a request with a tree-mail. I don't think we'll ever switch to just putting dibs on things without chatting about them... we like to talk plants too much! Besides, how else will you learn that "purple-spotted whacky plant" likes wet feet?

That's exactly how I feel, too, Critter!

I had that half-dead bounce back thing with Jan's Oakleaf hydrangea. It's doing great now.

Sally, funny that you should mention Jan's Oakleaf hydrangea. I got one from her a couple of years ago too, and wasn't sure it was going to make it. I was moving a chair over to that garden area over the weekend, and lo and behold slightly above all the weeds was Jan's Oakleaf hydrangea - looks extremely healthy and ready to take off on its growing spurt

So who else is interested in the fall bulb group buy? Come on over and check out the list!! The thread "Mid-Atlantic forum 2016 Fall Bulb Group Buy, pickup at fall swap" in Classifieds and Group Buys forum

Woohoo!!! I will have a shovel at the ready next spring at the swap so whoever needs one of the oak leaf hydrangeas can dig one. I also have two varieties of hakone grass that will need dividing.

Mine came through too, Jan!

I have set up the traditional threads for haves and wants, plant discussion, and food. They are stickies.

Critter always had very nice language to introduce each of the traditional threads. I am happy to have Critter or others add that language to the threads so they are more in keeping with what everyone remembers.

Catmint, feel free to copy/paste whatever you like from the spring swap threads (or from previous DG swap threads). LMK if you need help finding them... really busy the next couple days but will be more available to you Sunday afternoon through next week

thanks, Critter!
okay, I'm not going to lock this thread in order to encourage others to use the official swap threads that are now stickies at the top of home forum page.