2nd Annual Canadian Autumn Seed Exchange

[nicky]

Hello Canadian IDiggers!

I am running a Canadian seed swap again this year - and decided to open it up to IDiggers too...

GUIDELINES FOR THE SWAP:
Let me know in this thread that you would like to participate & I will message my address to you. It is my business address & the postman brings the mail straight to me – this eliminates any problems with seeds sitting outside in a cold mailbox! If you don’t get a private message from me in a day or two, let me know… I will try to check the thread daily. Seeds are due in on November 23rd, so please put your seeds in the mail on or before November 12th to ensure that it reaches me on time. Of course, you can send your envelope earlier.

1. You can send in up to 40 seed packs. If you are sending in extra seeds as a bonus please mark them clearly as a bonus. If you send in 40 packages, you will get 40 packages back. If you send in 5 packages you will get 5 back. Bonuses will be divided between everyone, so you should end up with more than you send in. There is a maximum of 2 packages of each variety.
…
2. You can send NAMED VARIETIES of any open pollinated seed. Please mark the seed package with the type of seed (annual or perennial flower, herb, vegetable, etc.) & the cultivar name. If you know – mark whether they are heirloom or OP, or hybrid. If seeds are from a commercial source, please note that as well. Basically put as much info as you can on the packet. If there is anything that are unsure of, just ask! Do not include mixes or mystery seeds unless they are clearly marked as bonus seed. It isn`t fair to send mystery seed to people who followed the instructions & sent in named varieties. Unknown varieties will be sent back to you, unless marked as bonuses.
…
If you are sending in hybrid seed to exchange, only F1 seed from a commercial source is acceptable. Please mark the source on the package. Do not send in seeds you have collected from a hybrid plant. They will not grow true to the original parent plant. If you are unsure if the seed you have collected is from a hybrid, please research online before mailing in your seeds or send me a message and I will try to find out.
….
Seed doesn`t need to be collected from bagged or separated varieties – accidental crosses occasionally happen. When you grow out the seeds that you recieve please try not to be upset if an occasional plant isn`t true. Sometimes crosses are better than the original … That being said, please don`t send in seed that you know is crossed & will not grow true.
…
3. Please include a list of the seeds that you are sending in. Also include a wish list or preferences and if there are any seeds you do not want to receive. If you are only interested in heirloom or OP, please tell me that as well. I will try my best to accommodate your wish list, but there are no guarantees of course. The returned seeds will be completely dependent on what is sent in. The easiest wishlists to fill include some specifics, but also some general wishes. Don't be shy. It is easier, if your wishlist has 100 things on it! (: If you wish to email your wishlist earlier, please feel free. If you have something on your wishlist & get it from another source, or find something that you wish to add to your list, just let me know. It is no trouble to change the lists until the day that I send them out!
...
4. You will need to mail your seeds inside of a bubble envelope with your return address label inside. It is important that you send a regular bubble envelope & not the heavy cardboard insulated type to keep within the weight restriction. Please send $2.10 return postage. I will reuse your original bubble envelope to send your surprise seeds back to you. If you go to Canada Post to mail your envelope & they try to charge you more, be sure to tell them that is non-standard lettermail.
The weight categories are:
$1.29 up to 100 grams
$2.10 100-200 grams
$2.95 200-300 grams
Canada Post Website
…
5. Please include both your real name (for mailing) and your screen name – so I know who has sent in their seeds!
…
WHAT TO SEND:
Inside your bubble wrap envelope you should have;
1. Whatever seed you are contributing to the swap
2. A list of whatever seed you have put in your envelope
3. Stamps totalling $2.10 (you will need another $2.10 in stamps to send your seeds to me)
4. An address label with your address on it.
5. A wish list or list of preferences or do not want list (:
6. Include your name & Screen name!
.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know. Happy trading !!!!
Nicky

[nicky]

So far the swap is going well. Almost 1 week in & we are half way to last year's numer of gardeners (:

If everyone could let me know when you mail your package, then I can let you know when it arrives.

If there is anyone feeling like a shy Canadian - don't! This is a great way to double your variety for next year. Any kind of seed is welcome - vegetable, flower, herb, fruit. Any amount of packages is OK. Come join in the fun!

[nicky]

Goodmorning,

I have gotten a few questions about what is popular & what there is too much of in the swap.

Last year there were only a couple of things that we got too much of: Datura & Rudbeckia (common type).

Greens were very popular last year: Spinach, Lettuce, Kale, chinese greens, chard etc. Other popular requests were: Amaranthus, zucchini, unusual herbs, penstemon, non-purple echinacea, heuchera, tomatoes & coleus.

Luckily most of the popular requests were also popular things to send in

If you were planning on sending in Rudbeckia & Datura - do it anyway - there is so much variety, everything works out in the end! Just don't send in any Mixed Morning Glories or Mixed Marigolds. Only named varieties should be sent in for this swap.

If you haven't signed up, there is plenty of time. Gather some seed & come join the fun

Nicky
Nicky's Garden

[JanR]

I might be interested. How many seeds are expected to be in each package that you send?

[atlbry]

I think i have seen this on another forum, and people from the Us were welcome to join we just had to pay extra for the shipping correct?

[veganseeds]

Hello,

Just joined this forum while searching the internet for Goldenseal seeds.
I'd like to join the swap if it's not too late.
Please let me know how many seeds per packet would be appropriate.
Thanks for organizing this, it sounds fantastic!

[nicky]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the delay in answering, Thanksgiving weekend kept me from returning messages.

# of seeds in packages.... a friend of mine, Sorellina (who also posts on Idig) goes by the following amounts:
.....
Tiny Seeds (basil, hyssop, poppies): 1/8 tsp
Small Flower Seeds (calendula, bachelor button): 1/4 tsp
Small Vegetable Seeds (tomato, pepper, eggplant): 10 seeds
Large Flower Seeds (4 O'Clock, Nasturtium, Thunbergia): 5-10 seeds
Large Vegetable Seeds (Squash, Beans, Corn): 25 seeds
......
Basically, I try to send what I would want in return. I hope that this helps. If you have any questions about a specific variety, just message me & I will try to help (:

I have sent JanR and veganseeds private messages with the address & details.

Sorry atlbry, you are right - the swap is posted at several other boards, but it is just for Canadians !

Cheers
Nicky

[veganseeds]

Thanks for the seed quantity guidelines!
Looking forward to swapping.

[nicky]

Welcome vegan seeds! Looks like it is going to be a great swap

Nicky

Nicky's Garden

[bluelacedredhead]

Originally Posted by nicky

Hi guys,

a friend of mine, Sorellina (who also posts on Idig) goes by the following amounts:

Cheers
Nicky

Nicky, How is Sorellina?? She has not been here on iDig since last February?