Seed swap anyone?

Yes please - back to me (do you need me to PM the address?) Am looking forward to having a browse myself!

The seeds are on their way again back to you Dandelion. I hope you get some interesting stuff !

Thank you!

The seed parcel has returned safely. I've found a few goodies for myself - Rocket (thank you whoever put that in!) and lemon Calendula, and Italian climbing beans. I was putting the pack of seeds away when I discovered a small packet which had fallen on the floor: Giallo d'Asti peppers. I don't generally grow peppers (but should now that I've got a greenhouse!) but I'm going to try these. Mr D's grandfather came from a little village called Pia d'Asti, in the wine growing region of Piedmont, so I shall enjoy growing these heirlooms!!

...and we thought those broccoli seeds were old!
http://www.sciencedump.com/content/extinct-squash-has-been-grown-800-year-old-seeds

I have some lovely sweet peas from this year's seed swap flowering in the polytunnel. I planted them at the base of the canes that I had put in for a squash so the flowers are in amongst the squash leaves. They do, of course, smell gorgeous. I have some of them growing outside too with the beans and peas.

If anyone had calendula seeds that I put in the seed swap and they turn out to be cosmos, I apologise (but they might not). I sowed some of each in trays and now they're up I see they have got the wrong labels. I don't know if it was just a labelling error or if I had the wrong inner packets in the outer packets at the end of last year.

I know it's a bit early to start the 2017 seed swap, but I have been going through the seeds left over from this year's swap. I've got rid of any which were a bit ancient, and )I hope this is OK with everyone) some of the more recent ones I've passed on to some refugee Syrian families in nearby Malvern. They have just arrived in this country, and have expressed an interest in doing some gardening. The local charity who has been helping them to resettle put out an appeal.

The pack of seeds for next year's swap is still bulging - I was thinking that when we start it off in January, it might be good if those who are interested in taking part name any seeds they are particularly keen on getting. It would make it more focused.

As ever, you can count me in.

Next year, I want to try dwarf french beans on the sides of my Hugelkultur bed - I normally grow climbing ones but the Purple Teepee from last year's swap did so well I'll try them again, and revisit growing tomatillos since we seem to be eating more Mexican food of late.

Count me in too.  It's difficult to say what i might be looking for.  I suppose I've settled on the things that grow ok here and abandoned the things that don't, but I always like to try new varieties.  That said, having the polytunnel means that I'm able to try things that I haven't been able to grow before.  I'll be in the market for sweet pepper varieties also flowers - I've had beautiful sweet peas from last year's seed swap, some still just hanging on.
I'm tentatively optimistic that I've managed to save some Mr Fearns bean seeds this year.  There nice and plump and black and don't seem to be shrivelling up or going mouldy like they usually do.

That sounds encouraging Ploshkin!

Will count you both in for next year.

I'm going to get the pack of seeds ready this week - I have Ploshkin and Chilli on my list - would anyone else like to take part in the seed swap?

Yes please Dandelion. Not expecting to grow much again, but you never know.....

Right Freebird - you're on the list!

The pack of seeds is on its way to Ploshkin. I had to laugh in the post office: Ploshkin has a VERY Welsh address, and the lady behind the counter struggled a bit to copy it down on my proof of posting! She also wanted to know 'for safety' what was in the pack - I explained that it was vegetable and flower seeds, and I could see her thinking 'Ah, cannabis'!! (Before we get a lot of extra people wanting to join the seed swap, there is nothing illegal in it!)

Ooh thank you, I'll look forward to receiving it. I was noting down some things from the DT Brown catalogue yesterday - the sap must be rising.

You think my address is over Welsh Dandelion?
The other day I went to Ysbyty Ystwyth. I always think there can't be many place names with 5 Ys and no vowels (though y is a vowel in Welsh)

Am I right in thinking that 'y' at the end of a word is a different sound to 'y' in any other part of the word, Ploshkin?

That's right Dandelion. Y has the same sound as U in BUS but when it is at the end of a word it sounds like a double E as in BEE. However, when on its own (Y =the)it sounds like the uh sound in THE.
The language is actually phonetic with just a few deviations with Y and U.

The seed package arrived today. I had a quick look (you've thinned it down nicely) and spotted a couple of things to try. Apologies if I take a few days to send it on. I'm not around over the weekend and I need to go through my own seeds for something to put in.

There's no rush at all P - take your time!!

I've sorted out some seeds. Who should I send the packet to now Dandelion?

I'll PM you Chilli's address...

Seeds are finally one the package with CH's address on and it WILL be going to the post office today.

Ooh excellent. Looking forward to it, and will let you know when it arrives.

Need to find something to contribute to it now ...

Parcel has arrived safely I'll take it home for a rummage.

Hope you find something you like!