Seed swaps, anybody? at gardenswapshop.co.uk

[hellohelenhere]

Hi all,
I just entered some flower seeds on this site, for swaps: http://gardenswapshop.co.uk/

When I started tapping them in, someone was offering geranium seeds (e.g. pratense, which I want) - but by the time I'd finished entering my own swaps, that offer seemed to have disappeared! Oh well!

I've done one successful swap on there so far, I got some lovage seeds. Anybody want some? The swapper sent me loads! They're very aromatic, and can grow to 2m in the right situation; apparently you can use the leaves for cooking.

I'm after various flowers and herbs, but there aren't a whole lot of people on the site at the moment; it would definitely work better with more swappers. Come on over! I hope that's not bad etiquette of me, to suggest swapping over there, rather than on the Swaps thread here? They have a more developed mechanism for it - fairly primitive though it is. If I have stepped out of line, Dan, please pull this thread!

I have the same name over there as on here.
cheers
H

[hellohelenhere]

[Georgie]

Out of interest, Helen, what do you think that site offers over and above the swap shop here on A4A?

G x

[hellohelenhere]

Well, they have a specific format for it there, you make individual entries for all the things you have to swap. If you see something else you want, you offer that person a swap. It's searchable, so you can look through what everyone has to offer, under the following headings:

Annuals [5]
Bulbs [2]
Carnivorous Plants

• 
  Clothing
• 
  Flowers [12]
  Fruit & Veg. [10]
  Garden Tools [2]
  Gardening Books
• 
  Ground Cover [1]
  Herbs [3]
  Indoor plants [1]
  Machinery [1]
  Miscellaneous [3]
  Ornaments/Statues
• 
  Packaging
• 
  Perennials [3]
  Seeds [38]
  Shrubs [2]
  Succulants [1]
  Trees [1]
  
  But as you can see, there isn't much there. The more, the merrier - it would work much better with more members! One problem with it at the moment is that there's no member profile, so you can't put any info about yourself, such as the kind of things you're looking for. You can put that it in a little box when you make an entry for something that you're offering, but there are so many things on my 'wants' list that I just haven't bothered! :D
  
  Here, unless I'm missing something, you'd just have to go through, post by post, and see what people are offering or looking for. I have made some excellent swaps via this forum, though! I guess I should make a full list of offers and wants, and post it up on the swaps thread. Oops! *Slaps head*! I put this is the wrong topic - it should be on the Swap Shop board. Sorry peeps!

[thifasmom]

i have come across this site before never signed up before as there wasn't anything i wanted at the time, but it is well set up and clear to navigate.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm perfectly happy to try different sites, but I like the informal swapping here. Most people will let you have something without demanding anything in return, as long as they can see you do offer material round.

[hellohelenhere]

The swapping here certainly has been very generous and heart-warming! And lots of people have indeed sent me things without wanting anything in return. I'd feel a bit embarrassed to simply slap up a shopping list, though. :D  Maybe I will - with a list of what I have to offer.

[calamityjayneuk]

Maybe we can work out what improvements can be made to this forums swap shop by looking at that one - instead of all trooping over there  ;)

[Georgie]

Maybe we can work out what improvements can be made to this forums swap shop by looking at that one - instead of all trooping over there  ;)

My local freecycle has a rule that you should start the title of your post with 'wanted', 'offered', 'taken' or 'received' followed by a brief description of the item.  It works well.  I can't see how we could make the swap shop as 'searchable' as the other site though.

G x

[Mushy Pea]

Hi Folks,
Dan does offer the "search" button which can be narrowed down to just the "swap" section.  ;)

This makes it easier to see what is or has been on offer.

I think though the majority just post a list of what they want with what they have to swap.

MP

[PurpleHeather]

Lovage, I have had the same plant for years, it comes back every year and is a pleasant foliage for the flower bed.

Cut it back hard if you need to, as I say it comes back. Not intrusive like mint though.

Celery taste, OK for a leaf or two in the stock pot or as mixed greens but the flavour is strong and can overwhelm.  

I never pay more than the cost of postage for a pack of seeds and with 50 other plot holders and a few neighbours to swap with, I have not had the need to, but interesting to read.

[thifasmom]

hellohelenhere just rereading these posts, doyou still have lovage seeds and could i beg some off of you :)

[hellohelenhere]

Certainly you may, I'll pm you. Anyone else for some lovage seed?

[hellohelenhere]

I've now posted my (flower) offers and wants, in the Swap Shop section. :)
Will try to do another one for veg in few days.