Thanks "happygardener23" to start thread and informing us about Chicago Garden Seed Swap. I will try to attend this year.

I plan to attend the first GE winter sowing event. I have some perennial seeds to share (coneflower, johnny jump up violas),and annuals (rudbeckia, butterfly weed, california poppy and Bowles Black viola). I also have mixed narcissus and a few other bulbs to share. Who else is attending and what are you bringing? Thanks, Susan

Here's a "don't miss" event in Hamilton OH - just north of Cincinnati. Great plants for sale and this private property landscape is well worth the trip regardless Joan Day's Backyard Treasures Annual Plant Sale 6215 Cavalcade Drive Hamilton, OH 45011 Phone 513-868-3512 Friday 26 May 10-5 Saturday 27 May 10-8 Sunday 28 May 10-6 Lots of collector type plants, troughs, hypertufa planters, new sun and shade perennials, and visiting her small, but awesome landscape makes this a definite "Don't Miss" event. I took this info from a card she mails out to previous customers. Use a map program such as MapQuest, Google Maps, or Windows Live Local to get directions. Monday 29 May 10-6 PS- it's cash or checks only

You might want to look into joining a local garden club; most have at least one swap each year. Some clubs will let you join in the fun even if you're not a member as long as you bring something to share. There is also the Hardy Plant Society - Mid Atlantic Group. Although they don't have plant swaps, they hold a members-only sale in the Spring - prices are VERY reasonable - I always find something interesting there. All plants come from members' gardens and benefit HPS scholarship and grant funds. The HPS also has a free seed swap in the Fall that a lot of members rave about... I've never participated since I don't have the patience to grow from seed (lol). The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society has an annual Fall Garden Festival (Sept. 21 this year). Members can select free plants at the "Plant Dividend", a popular PHS member benefit which takes place in a HUGE tent at the festival. If you attend the Flower Show (the Dual Associate membership ($65) includes two adult tickets) and get some goodies at the Garden Festival, it's worth the cost of membership. A lot of the plants (all donated from members gardens and several nurseries) look pretty ratty by mid September but will be just fine in the Spring... you'd be surprised how many folks pass up really nice plants because they don't look good in September!! Members who bring donations get first dibs (9:00-10:00 AM) and if you hang around to 2:30-ish, you can literally fill your car with the leftovers. And lastly, you might want to find a freecycle group in your area. I find homes for lots of my divisions and cast-offs through my local freecycle group - and I don't need to wait for an organized swap or sale. If you're not familiar with freecycle it's an online forum (my local one is a Yahoo group) where you can post "Wanted" or "Offer" (if you have something to give away) messages . It's mostly household stuff, but I see lots of "Offers" for plants this time of the year on my group. Here is a link that might be useful: Leigh Valley gardening - links to various groups and resources in your area