This forum is for members to chit chat about whatever you like - go for it.

I didn't think chit chat was going to be done on ATP. Just plant related topics
and talk. Am I mistaken or just plugged into a cubit/forum mix?

Hi leaflady, I think that most of the other regional gardening forums will also have chit chat threads. I think having them is a good idea especially when they are labeled as such...that way people can "talk over the fence" with folks they have known for many years....or just meeting new friends...and leave the garden topic threads cleaner and more on topic.

Now we just need folks to start new threads about their midwest gardens!!!!

I also believe in letting people know about garden events, etc. I guess Dave would have to rule on whether we can post if there are items being sold at an event.

OK - I Tree-mailed dave about posting plant sales (gardenersdetective's post above) cause I wasn't sure about things being "sold", though indirectly by posting about a sale. I asked "Should this item have been deleted or commented about?"

dave's response:

I don't have a problem about it, especially in the regional forums where you are wanting to share regionally relevant events and information.

I think it is great that people share events. And when the event includes some sales....that is great....gardeners need to buy their plants somewhere!

I think it is usually easy to tell when someone is just self advertising...which probably is not appropriate.

Exactly. Maridell!

We trust the moderators of each forum to make good decisions on if a post is "informative" or spam (self- advertising). Things in good taste are always welcome! If every time a member speaks, they are promoting themselves- that's a problem.

We think this will allow vendors to have a nice home, buyers to know about good places to shop (or good sales), and no one will nee to be the police

Yep, plenty of opportunity (within guidelines) in the co-op area ect. for that type of thing.

Plant shows provide educational materials and presentations to broaden your knowledge about particular plants and raise interest and popularity of those plants. It's a wonderful opportunity to interact with other gardeners, propigators/hybridizers/growers, authors, and gardeners with many years of hands on experience eager to share their tips, tricks, and secrets with other gardeners. I am very visual and especially enjoy how they are used inside and outside, potted up, and combination plantings. In general they also give garden clubs and societies the opportunity to promote their organization, involve a contest where plants and foliage are judged, and include a gardenning/plant related marketplace. I've heard that Philadelphia and Cincinnati are among the best in the US. I attended the Philadelphia show in 1996 and it was awesome. Chelsea garden show is on my bucket list. One only has to view Neils pix from British Gardening to see why.

This thread seems to have died. Sorry if I was the wet blanket. I did think
it wasn't going to be allowed but somehow others saw it as informational
only and then no one else posted anymore. It would be nice if there was
some chatty interaction here.

Don't worry leaflady! It is not you, the Midwest forum has been quiet as a whole. Takes time to grow, ATP, is still relatively new.

Sorry -- I hit the Northern Garden Forum -- we are a bunch of chatty Cathy's up here!! Feel free to visit us and take a walk on the North side!!!

Well I can chit chat.... I LOVE fall, because of these simply gorgeous days. Clothes on the line, temps have moderated, cool nights, A/C turned off. I am finishing up yard projects that I began in May, planting and/or moving some dayliles & iris, and attempting to keep myself from buying any more.

And football, I just love football! ~Jan

We finally got some much needed rain two days ago and there is another warm up and rebirth in the garden. So lovely to see all the butterflies, hummingbirds, and song birds enjoying my little slice of paradise. I know I'm easily entertained but I could watch them all day. The birds dropped some sweet autumn clematis (right on a trellis too) and I was going to whack it but didn't. The evenings on the porch are perfumed with their scent. After the first frost (which is predicted for the second week of October) I would like to prepare a bed for next year. I've not been very successful with plant selection in this particular area so researching will keep me busy this winter. It's mostly shade until about 4pm till dusk, but it faces south and is shaded by a tall American Holly. It's right outside my kitchen window and I would like to create some year round interest but might have to do a mass planting of liriope or something like that. So far it's been too sunny for shade plants and to shady for sun plants.

Isn't fall great? Especially after such a hot hot summer. Fall is my favorite time. I am pushing it as far a it feeling like fall now, but after this past one, it is NICE at 80 degrees even. Hope it is a long fall. I have more than half of my spring work to do and all of the summer wees are there still. I won't count the pots that need to get planted either (you would all be laughing or yelling at me.

LOL between the plants that still need to be planted & divided and the weeds it will be the first time ever that I've done spring clean up in the fall.

Susan - you DO understand.

SO CJ -- how was your trip to the Land of the Giant Hosta's????? Do tell!! I am sooo sorry I had to miss it --