I have created and posted my video on everything you need to know about how to use the seed swap feature. If you are interested in swapping seeds, this video will help you get started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Just watched the tutorial. It was very helpful, thank you.

One small question please.

In the tutorial I noticed tat the seeds offered were listed by a common name first followed by the accepted botanical name. Is it that way automatically in the system? or does the host of each swap decide how to list the seeds.

I ask because, as an example, I noticed something called Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum) which I would never look for on any list under the letter 'G' but would look under 'R' for Rhododendron.

Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)

Still hesitating to join any swap as I don't feel I could do things "fast" enough to keep up with the hectic pace. The tutorial was helpful but I am still in wait and see mode on swaps.

It displays the names using the exact format as what is in the database. Usually that would be common name first, then latin name.

Okay, thanks.

@Greene -- it really all sounds a lot more complicated than it is... just jump into a swap and give it a try; I'm pretty sure no one will take away your birthday or anything if you somehow manage to make a mistake...

I've had too many other things going on to join any swaps since the beta swap... but that one was really fun because none of us knew what we were doing

I liked the video a lot, Dave! ... you flatterer! It covered the basic process thoroughly, clearly and well.

I thought you could have punched up even more how only NGA has this cool tool, but you did say it. I guess if any viewer makes the mistake that you were just describing how MOST seed swaps work, they will be disillusioned as soon as they go to any other swap, anywhere.

NGA - accept no substitutes!

Maybe, if YouTube videos on seed swaps seem like a good way to advertise for NGA, one of the gang could make an "advanced" swapping video that was really more about adding new cultivars to the Plant Database. Perhaps call it "How to trade seeds so rare and unusual that no one you know has heard of them before".

"Seeds SO rare that they are not yet even in OUR database! But you can add them, through consultation with our team of plant experts."

Hi Greene (and everyone) I saw your post, that you do not think you could work fast enough to keep up with the hectic pace of trading. Well I would like to encourage you to join anyway, actually you don't really need to worry about it. I joined the "Not From The Seed Rack" Swap last year. The first day of trading I was confused about what day it started, happened to log in a few hours after it started and saw a notification the trading was underway. I put in my requests and got most of them, I think one or two things had been "sold out" (most people offer more than one packet). A few other days I was at work and so I had to put in requests several hours after trading started, again I got most everything I wanted. By the end of the swap I had gotten something like a zillion packets of seeds! Some people never could be there at the exact moment trading commenced on a day, and they got lots anyway. One woman was in Europe, she was not interested in getting up in the middle of the night to trade, but she did all right, she just did it the next morning. We all had a lot of fun. Like most people, I list some seeds I saved from my garden, some I "rescued" from plants near a sidewalk somewhere, and some I bought. I tell myself I can buy more oddities since I will swap some away, it's like getting 2 for 1!

Dear Dave;

I'm SO EXCITED!!! It's almost time (I think.) This is my first seed swap ever, and all I can think is "FUN!!!" I'm sorry I didn't discover and join N.G.A. sooner; I could have offered a lot more seeds. But I will be ready for next year! Your video was great! It really helped a newbie like me! It actually gave me the courage to go through with this! Well, thank you Dave! You're a blessing!

Queen Dreama

I'm so glad! And welcome to the site!

Welcome to NGA, @QueenDreama ! Swapping IS fun, and you will probably find there are a lot of seeds you never realized you need so badly . Enjoy!