Hi All,

I was thinking that we have a number of swap-newbies this time around, and another swapper and I were talking about offering older seeds that we have in our stash but can't possibly plant them all....so we were going to offer these to swappers as freebies. As you know, older seed is great as long as it's stored well and might have a bit lower germination, but still great to grow out.

I was wondering if it might be beneficial -- and a little "earlier fun" for some of the newbies to do a practice round with a swap. We could do a 3 or 5 day swap, or a one day light the lightening round, but my thought is if we go with the 3 or 5 day, there's more time for questions as you all try out the system.

In this "practice swap", the seeds would be free. You would have to sign up for the swap "officially" and enter one pack of seeds so that you actually can bid on the free seeds, I believe. Further instructions re how to enter when the time comes.You dont actually have to offer seeds unless you have some older seeds you'd like to give away.

ALL free packs of seeds that you claim would be sent with the February Swap seeds, so there is only ONE $8.40 priority mail charge for both swaps.

If anyone other long time gardeners have extra older seeds (ie 2015) and you want to offer free seeds, you're welcome to list as many as you'd like! I'd like to keep the February swap seeds 2016 and more recent.

I'm going to be sending out an email to everyone in this swap just to give you a heads up re: this and ask for feedback. I think it would be easier for those who want to give seeds away to list them this way vs. offer them in a post and then have alot of messages going back and forth -- ??

Let me know what you think and esp'lly if you're interested -- and would welcome a practice swap.

Personally I'm only new to this particular swap. I have lots of seeds and have done several other swaps . At this point there are only certain seeds I want or need so wouldn't be interested in a practice round.
Thanks for the offer though

I have older ones to offer so would be happy to do a practice swap but think a one or 3 day would be plenty long enough.

Sure. I have some things I can contribute. It sure would be great to get my feet wet with this ticket/dibs system before the big swap day. I'd hate to muck it up and miss getting some favorite things.

Count me in.

That sounds like a great idea to me! I It have watched the video several times but seeing it i feel would help. This is my 1st swap in this group. I have only does swaps in Facebook groups. I would love to join in.

I can certainly contribute seeds for practice swapping and would like to rehome lots while they are still viable. lol What I really need for a lightning swap is much faster internet. I am going to try to use my iphone and Consumer Cellular data this time instead of our very sluggish home internet, so a round of two of practice would be helpful.

I think the video makes the basic swap mechanics/structure very clear. Since the 'lightning' aspect isn't part of the video, that's the part that I'm a little concerned about navigating.

I have listed the January Pre-Swap. I believe you have to give it a day before you can join.

THANKS, Pat! Everyone who wants to is more than welcome to list their older seeds in the Pre-Swap! Hope your phone works out well for the swap. I'll be curious! Slow internet sucks! :(

Kilngod - The lightning swap IS just more hurried than a 3, 5, or 7-day swap, but it's also loads of fun. Because it can be a little daunting not knowing what to expect, that's why I suggested the practice run!

Basically, tho, the day of the swap, you go to your wish list (which you have rated 1-5 stars, 5 being what you most want). Your list will show alphabetically (5 stars first/highest priority) and when the swap gates open (7pm EST), a little treasure chest will appear as you refresh the page. Then you just need to click the treasure chest on each item you want, it will ask you to confirm your bid, and move on to the next. While you are bidding, others are also bidding on presumably some of the items, so you may go to a pack you wanted and says there are none left. That's why you want to rate your most important first. In a lightning swap/1 day you get all your tickets to "spend" on buying items at once. So based on the number of items that are being offered, this can be ALOT of seed packets all at once.

You have 24 hours to complete your swap "purchases", tho most of the most-wanted seeds will go in the first hour. Everyone gets so many tickets based on how much is listed, and then you also get extra tickets to spend based on what seeds of yours have sold.

I'm not new, and I don't have old seeds, so I won't be in the practice swap. However, I highly recommend that anyone who hasn't used this swap system before join in. It is not the end of the world if one is less than efficient in the lightening swap, but there are things to learn by doing that will help newbies compete for the most wanted seeds more effectively. For example, in my first swap, I didn't realize what would happen if I didn't have the no zero quantity box checked. Scrolling through stuff that's already gone can waste time that could be used for dibbing. It helps to be aware that when refreshing the page with zero quantity on, stuff gets moved from the second page back to the first page. Seriously, a little practice will help. I have slow internet service, but I get most of what I want now, because with practice, I have figured out how to better organize my wishlists.

I did see several new names popping up. If a practice swap will help them I'll certainly participate...

I'm in, I'll take all the practice I can get. I don't think i have anything offer than 2016 but I don't mind if you don't!

I'm in. I may not have much to offer, but I love to play in "sandboxes," and will be happy to help show newbies the ropes.

You can list a 2016 seed to get in ;D we wont hold it against you

On another note. While this swap is meant to be a newbie swap trial, I dont see why seasoned gardeners who wish to cant participate in grabbing some older seeds if theres something they really want to grow.

Val, may we list more than ONE packet of seeds, if we have them?

Yeah, I'll prolly post more than 1 pack myself... I have some older salsify with a purple flower that I think someone wants to plant.

Thank you everyone for thinking of this practice run, and for doing it. Sooo helpful and sooo appreciated!

Hi--I'm new and I'd play if I'm not too late.

I don't fully understand how this works but I'll look for an email and check out the forum...

Of COURSE, you can list as many seeds as you want to on this practice swap if you have some u want to offer up before the Feb swap! Entirely up to u!

Empress, check out the Feb swap. If you go to the main swap page, there is a link to the YouTube video of how exactly the swap works.

Feel free to message me if you have questions.

you all know I am new and my mind does not always work right but I am willing to help

Thomas,
You are not new! You're an oldie but a goodie! :D

He's an oldie (because he's older than I am) and the BEST kind of trader.


I have 50 listed for the practice swap so far and a big ziplock left to go. It feels good to get these seeds out to folks who don't have WAY too many already.