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.
