Allotments 4 All

Anyone fancy a go at this.

Basically it starts off with someone sending a parcel of unwanted/surplus/harvested seeds to someone else they then take a few of what they want and then put in/ top up with some of their own and pass the parcel on to the next one on the list and so on.
You can take what you want and put in what you want veg or flowers whole/part packets or harvested seeds.

I would be willing to co-ordinate and get it started off if anyone was interested.

hm...how big would this parcel get? i mean if there's a lot of people involved the postage could cost a lot.

and also....say if i'm after a certain set of seeds, and i've already had my go and not found what i was looking for....what happens then?

i think it sounds a bit messy.....where as it's much easier for someone to post on here what they have...or what they want...and then the relevent people can contact them.

does sound like quite a good idea, like the idea of a bit of a lucky dip...... my dad used to have a similar thing with his stamp club

.... but wahaj does have a point - if it ain't broke and all that. the swop shop works quite well as it is.... could end up at the end of the list with more than you bargained for.

Its a bit of fun more than anything, been doing it on river cottage for a couple of years now, keep the postage to under a fiver, it's quite exciting when the package gets to you, to see wahat random delights there may be inside.
By all means keep swapping seed as usual, this is an addition rather than a replacement as to be honest the parcel only gets round once or maybe twice before the spring anyway.

Quote from: chappers on November 02, 2006, 19:23:32
Its a bit of fun more than anything, been doing it on river cottage for a couple of years now, keep the postage to under a fiver, it's quite exciting when the package gets to you, to see wahat random delights there may be inside.
By all means keep swapping seed as usual, this is an addition rather than a replacement as to be honest the parcel only gets round once or maybe twice before the spring anyway.

well...if i wanted a surprises in my garden i'd just buy some dodgy compost from my recycling centre. this time i ended up with corn and sunflower seeds randomly germinating everywhere.

i do think it's a nice idea and will work for some people who are out to try different things etc....but personally i like very specific things in my garden....and i see plant inspiration online and on programs and on other people's gardens. if i like something...i try and look for it. because there are a lot of plants out there that i just dont like.

I can see the fun in this idea and I'd be more than happy to participate.  So if you are looking for the first recipient count me in.  :D

G x

I'll play !! :)

ok I will put a post on the main board directing people here, as I said its a bit of fun your not obliged to take anything nor put anything in and can always carry on swapping in the usual way too.

count me in too - like I said sounds like a interesting idea, all for trying something new!

Me Prink and SS had a massive swap the other week - took us over an hour...

Unfortunately you may find some greedy @:@@@ might swipe the lot!

It's a risk we have to take I guess, Olive Oil.  I'd like to think everyone here would would play in the spirit intended, though.   :)

G x

Hi

yeh I would be up for that too

if they steal the seeds u got their address

maybe when the parcel gets too big the person who has it could
split it in two and double the chain

peter

Can I join in please? Sounds as though it could be interesting. ;D

me too.

ok folks I have posted something in the main forum to see if it drums up any more interest.
In the meantime if anyone who wants to participate PMs me their address then I will get the list and parcel together and post it to the first recipient on the list.
Will give it another week to give anyone else a chance and post it a week Monday.
If anyone  wants to join after the parcel is on its way I'm sure we could track down the parcels whereabouts and add you to the list .

Best wishes

Gareth

Count me in too!! Sounds like fun and I've got lots of spare seeds to add in.

Yes this round robin sounds like a fun idea, love suprises.

Will pm my address.

trina

Ooh, go on then, I'll join in.. :)

Me too!

Hi
I would like to join as well
Regards
Phil

Yes  please !!!   can we play too ?  8)

Quote from: Dadnlad on November 09, 2006, 20:05:34
Yes  please !!!   can we play too ?  8)

Chappers - your inbox is flup !    :o

I'd like to join in. I will pm you when you have emptied your inbox!

CHAPPERS - Your inbox is full!


Address and email removed by admin.

Leesa, this is a public forum and it is most unwise to post your personal details on it.  I've asked Dan to remove the message.

G x

Just a thought but won't the last person on the list end up with 20 packets of raddish seed? :'(

Possibly.. but then again, I rather enjoy growing/eating radishes.

And given the fact that radishes are meant to be good for couch grass.. I think I need all the radishes I can get. ;)

Wish I could find something bad for couch grass  :'( ;)

When are we going to get started then?

G x

was about to ask the same thing... no sign of chappers for a while......... cannot start without him as he has the addresses. I assume the parcel will come with a list of addresses so we know where to send it next?

I'd love to take part in this if it's still open to people. I have sent a pm to chappers but not sure if I have done it correctly or not  ???

Only Chappers (or maybe Dan?) can tell you that, GW.  And as daisymay says, chappers hasn't been seen for over a week.   :(

G x

Thanks Georgie, I'd like it if this idea got off the ground and hopefully chappers is still keen to do it, it sounds like a really cool idea.

Sorry folks been computerless for the last two weeks will get the parcel together and off later this week.

Awww, sorry to hear that chappers but glad to see you back with us.  So it's really going to happen?  I'm all excited now!   ;D

G x

Cool...... glad everything is OK chappers - was thinking it was a bit odd going AWOL on us like that

What's happening?

G x

Nuffin it seems :(

Chappers has not been on since he posted his message above acprding to his profile, so guess this idea is going no where, is a shame, I was looking forward to my parcel....

Can we start another one?
???

if ya do can i play?

yes please count me in too !!! ;D

Shall we make some rules, and then find someone to host it.
If nobody else will host it I can do, but I am quite busy at the mo.

I think the key is to keep it simple.  How about calling it something like 'Pass the Seed Parcel'?

The host (anyone who has a few varieties of seed to spare and known as player number 1) calls for a certain number of members to participate - maybe 6-10 'players' - via the swap shop.

Once the number of players is reached the host sends the parcel to the first person who said they want to play and locks the thread.

That player (number 2) can take as many seed packets from the parcel as s/he wants but must replace the packets with an equal or larger number of seed packets and they pass it on to player number 3 and so on until the last player returns the parcel to player number 1 who gets to keep whatever is in it.

New Pass the Seed Parcel threads can be started at anytime.

That way, only one person will be revealing their address details to one other at any one time and we avoid any potential scams.

G x

I've just taken part in a seed swap on another forum.  Each participant sent their name and address to the organiser at the start.  The parcel was started and as well as containing seeds it contained written instructions and a list of all participants names and addresses.  When you got it, you crossed your name and address off the list, did your swapsies, and sent it to the next person on the list.  It was stressed that the details were only to be used for the purpose of the swap (same really as if we PM our addresses to others for swapping on here).  You also PM'ed the organiser to let them know when the parcel had been passed on, so the parcel could be tracked and chased up if need be.  And you were asked to get it back in the post as soon as possible.  I think there were just over 20 people involved in the other swap.  If people got it back in the post in a day or so, it would work fairly quickly, ie you really don't want each person taking a week or so to pass it on.  (And with hindsight if I'd got my seeds ready to go in before the parcel arrived I could have got it back in the post a day earlier).

I was a little concerned how much I might be spending on postage (obviously it depends how big the parcel is).  In the end it was about £1.70 to post it on, and for the seeds I got to keep I felt that was worth it.  It wasn't large quantities of each seed, but the variety of different / unusual varietes that worked for me as I like to try a little of lots of different things.

You could take out as much or as little as you wanted, and put in as little or as much as you had.  It didn't work on a like for like basis numbers wise but I assume over the life of the parcel it all balances out. I know I put more in than I took out and I got just as much fun going through my seed box working out what I could put in, and what might be growing up and down the country for other people this coming year!

One thing I thought of afterwards was if it was just for edibles?  That's all that was in the other one, but I don't know if that was deliberate, or just how it turned out...

It was great fun and I would certainly take part in one again :)  So if we're doing one on here, can I add my name to the list please?

I agree with the quick turn around rule in theory but in practice it might not be easy for some, so we might have to exercise a little patience.  I think a mix of edibles and non-edibles would be nice but I don't mind either way.

G x

Sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound really strict.  Rather something to bear in mind and maybe aim for where possibe then? :)  I was just thinking that as there was quite a large number of participants in the previous swap I took part in, if everyone had kept the parcel for a week or so before sending it on it could have taken 6 months to complete the rounds!  That sounds a good reason for restricting the numbers as you suggested then - and if more want to take part a second one could always be started?

Hey, I wasn't suggesting you were being strict and I quite agree that we need a fairly quick turn around.   ;D

I'm still a bit sceptical about the host collecting addresses of those interested.  That's what Chappers did when he started this thread and now he seems to have disappeared.  I'm not suggesting for one moment that he is doing anything untowards with those addresses, but having raised expectations it's rather disappointing to find that months on, nothing has got off the ground.   :(

G x

hi everyone

I've just come across this and would love to join in - is it still working and how do we join? I've got loads of seeds still in date and I think it sounds really fun.

Hi CJ.  No, it has all ground to a halt because no-one has volunteered to be the host.   :(  I'm afraid I can't volunteer as I have rather too much on at the moment.  Hopefully someone will come forward soon.

G x

I'd be happy to host it - ie start if off and keep track of it...  as long as someone else can sort out:

1) the rules (ie does it have to be the same number of swaps, or can people take out / put in whatever you like).
2) the details of how addresses are exchanged, and
3) how many can take part (the more it is, the longer it will take to get round to everyone).

I've got to sort out some seeds for SS on Monday, so sort I could sort out a selection of spares to start it off...

That is very generous of you, CityChick.  I reckon as host you get to set the rules.  So just let us know what they are and count me in.   ;D

G x

Me too, CC    :)

Made a spread sheet this weekend and i have 108 different varieties so i would be happy to join in. 

Sounds great fun!


Can I play?

cj :)

okay then, I suggest, to keep it simple:

A list of names and addresses will go with the seeds.  When you get the parcel, do whatever swaps you want, cross your name out and then send the parcel on to the next person on the list.  Also if you can PM me when you've sent it on I can keep track of where it should be...

Seeds can be anything you might swap on here ie edibles, herbs or flowers, and bought or home saved seed.

If there is a large number of people interested we might split it into 2 parcels, so there is a good chance of the parcel getting round in time to grow things this year.

How's that sound?

If you want to play PM me your name and address by noon on Mon 12 Feb 2007.

By the end of today there will be a parcel made up here waiting for some players! ;D

Lisa :)

PS edited to add - suggest we should keep it UK based due to postage costs?

That all sounds sensible, CityChick.  I'll PM you my details.   ;D

G x

have PMed you too, CityChick.
I'd love to play!!!

Sounds good to me Have sent you a PM

BB  :D

Pm'd you citychick - bumping this up on to the front page again in case anyone else wants to join

15 players so far - still time to join in if anyone else is interested :)

I'd like to join please. Have PM'd you.

Jo.

I've started bagging seed up - but ran out of bags... will do some more in the week.

I've PMed you - would definitely like to join the fun.

I agree that it should be kept UK-only. What about packet sizes? Should we do them to the usual swapping standards - ie around 12-20 seeds for big-seeded plants, and a good pinch or two of smaller seeds?

(Woo! New seeds!)

Regard to what you put in, and what you take out, lets keep it fairly flexible... 

I know I've got some packets where I've only got a few spare eg 3 or 4 melon or winter squash seeds, but that still might be enough for someone to try a new variety, so I'm going to put them in.  At the other extreme I've got some unopened packets of flower seeds which I'm also going to put in - might be 100s in some of those, but people don't have to take them all if they're not thinking of growing that many... just take what you realistically think you're likely to grow.

I was about to say that large numbers of big seeds like beans might not be such a good idea (due to weight and size) but then thought if they were unusal ones like crimson flowered broad beans, or cherokee trail of tears beans, they might be a hit! So I wouldn't rule that out either. (Don't get excited anyone, I haven't got any of either of those to add...)

Only other thing I can think to add is keep the parcel to a size that can squeeze through letter boxes incase people are out when postie arrives!

HTH :)

Quotekeep the parcel to a size that can squeeze through letter boxes incase people are out when postie arrives!

Very good idea! Otherwise it could spend half its life in the post office parcel room.

cj :)

Well I doubt it will fit through my letter box anyway. but i usually come home for lunch so can collect my card and get my parcel same day OR will be school hols week after next so i may be home anyway  ;D

I have done different sized packets depending on how much i have spare and depending on the seed so some you only get one seed (squash) some you get about 10 - some 30.  Some you may wish to split.

Yup - that all seems to make sense.

Also, I suppose if plastic zippy bags are used there's no harm in people taking out as much seed as they'll use, and then leave the rest for sometone else.

Ooh, this is going to be exciting. :D

Woo Hoo! ;D

I have got the parcel! Am very excited and looking through my seeds right now! I also have some tiny zip bags and labels, which I can include for the next person to put seeds in.

Will post again on Friday (my mum wants to look too) - the next person on the list is Laura in Walton on Thames

Am i too late??? i'd love to play got loads and loads of seeds that I was  going thru with OH today this sound really exciting surprise packages :)

See the thread "Pass the parcel is GO!"

This round has already started, but it seems to be a great success so far, and there's a lot of interest in doing another round soon, so you should be in luck!

CC have pm'd you ...  ;)