Would love to have some ideas how one can better prepare for an upcoming plant swap? How far in advance and what are some useful tips that you find works best for you? Transporting the potted up plants in the car so you don't get your vehicle dirty and end up in a heated argument because of it. Hopefully what I'm taking will be wanted, and the storage space I unloaded will reap some neat plants coming back. My beds are pretty well filled so I'm only asking for some daylilies or Iris.
We will not be returning home until next afternoon, will my plants suffocate in the car overnight with windows rolled up/doors locked? I'm posting this question for my own use as well as newbies that may have never attended a plant swap.

For plants to take, I like to try and have them ready a week ahead of time.
Over one night should be all right ,but if weather is very warm---???
Water plants the day before.
Pack plants so they are tight in the box or container. Deeper boxes are better than shallow trays.
But take the trays with you for displaying the plants at the swap.
Keep the boxes for packing the new plants for the trip home.
Use newspaper to wedge them so they do not bounce too much.
Water the new ones as soon as you get them home.

I just potted up creeping phlox yesterday from one plant that needed separating badly. It still had a lot of blooms left but the rest were finished blooming. Do you think in two weeks, they will have had time to take hold and root in the 4 in. nursery pot?

They didn't have any roots at all?

Yes, they had roots, I had a hard time separating them because they were so entangled together, they must have been about 4 yr. old at least. The clump had spread so wide that I had a hard time separating them. I tried to put ones with roots in each pot. Some broke off and I stuck it in rootone before planting. I had not sheered the faded plants back yet. Late yesterday afternoon, I went out and did that to all those I had potted up. I haven't been out there there today to see if they have survived transplant but I'm going my way out now to make sure the soil is moist today. I have them all placed under the shade of a mature dogwood tree in back yard where sun comes up in am.

I think 2 weeks is pushing it, but for a swap, I think you'll be ok. Especially if you just tell people.
Definitely cut off any flowers, so the plant can put it's energy into roots. Usually, when I divide something like that, I really cut it back hard and it takes 3-4 weeks to recover, but it isn't stressing as bad.

As long as your plant has some roots, and looks healthy, you'll be good for a swap

That is good advice. Until 2 weeks ago, the creeping phlox was putting on an amazing show for me. All the neighbors complimented me and even people that were visiting my neighbors would do the same if they saw me outside working in the flowerbeds. Gita from DG and MAG forum group told me she starts preparing way in advance but didn't say exactly when she starts. She is so organized and her plants are so healthy and neat when she brings them to a swap. She's been doing this about 7 yrs. so guess she has her system down pat now. I am always so greatful for veteran gardener's advice and helpful tips. That is the way we all learn besides Trial and Error, right?


Caoline, I was thinking along the same lines that you suggested. I only sleep 4 hr. a night; right now I can't turn my brain off when I go to bed unless I'm really exhausted. Some of your same ideas came to me when I was wide awake, trying to fall asleep last night. You know like I packed the car visably "in my sleep!"

I find that I learn so much on these gardening forums. I do appreciate everybody's advice/suggestions/tips. Thanks to all of you.

You certainly learn as you go, and learning from others is so much faster than making all of the mistakes yourself

One tip that I picked up was to bring my own plant tags- even just masking tape or popsiscle sticks and a sharpie will do fine. Sometimes a tag is missing, and you'll never ever remember what it is when you get home.

Great advice, Trish. I hadn't thought of that. I'm writing down that on my list of things to take. I use Crystal light tea mixes and when that container is empty. I save it for storage. It holds my plant markers. If I make up a plant ID marker and for some reason I don't use it. I just stick in back inside the empty container. You might use it at a later day and if you don't. just lay out on newspaper in a well ventilated area and spray paint it another color for future use. Recyle!

This thread just begs to be a "gardening idea" article .........

It would be a great "idea"!

I'm not really the one to write it, though...

Who's volunteering??

If you have photos of your flowers it is nice to take along . I have found many people do not know what a plant is just by name or sight.

We do not have a swap here but I do participate in a small local garden fair , and find plants a lot easier to sell when you have a photo.


In my case I have them on a piece of foam core , but if you are moving around photos in an album would work.

Cinda, what a great idea you shared! That would be even nice to take to a seed swap. I think the photo album and if small enough, could be passed around and would take up less room , You know when you attend a plant swap, space or lack of it, is so important. Thank You for sharing your idea..

Great idea!

Great ideas !
At some of the open gardens I have seen people using the plastic sheets for card collectors.
Instead of cards, they had the plant tags for the plants in their garden.

Let's see if we can get some more tips from members, and if so, I'll combine it into a short article!

The plant swap I attended this past Saturday was well attended, the weather was perfect, food delicious and lots of it. I had a short wish list..A burgundy peony such as Karl Rosenfeld or Kansas and Sarah Bernhardt..and a few daylilies. Holly gave me a beautiful burgundy peony but I will ask her if she knows the name of it. I received another Hearts Afire daylily from the same wonderful couple that gave me my first daylilies last Fall.

Wished I'd had enough time to prepare an album of my plants..in bloom..or an internet picture with growing information of it. Example..I was trying to describe what Rose campion looked like to a man. Had plant ID markers so he can look it up himself but I'd liked to have had a picture of it to show him then. I'll make that a goal for next plant swap.

What great ideas! ~Jan