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Location

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Date Posted

Going Green

Make your plans for 2017 EXOTIC SEED EXCHANGE where 50 growers bag up thier best and they are resorted and sent to you. I just asked the 48 growers besides my wife and my self to suggest improvements. Thanks for all the participation. We recieved seeds from Italy, Germany France, Spain and Canada as well as the United States. A few of you who did not recently recieve an email from me.....it is because I do not have your current email. Mine is wellingtonphil@yahoo.com gtonphil@yahoo.com and I want your email and your comments.

2/4/2017 12:15:57 PM

Going Green

One comment I thought was great. I think just making sure they have a label would be great for some I do not what they are. I enjoy all parts as it gives lots of options to grow. An will continue to support it every year. I would also like if everyone could tell of something they planted out of the exchange. Like on big pumpkins for what there sending in you could do one on what there growing out of the exchange.

2/4/2017 12:17:30 PM

Going Green

Hi Phil - I loved it it and always look forward to it.

I really only use the pumpkins, squash and gourds that come in it or a few other exotics that might make my display look better. I like the inclusion of the AG's especially ones from out of the country that may be tough or expensive to get ahold of - always looking for that special dark orange, smooth giant that does not have to be really huge.

As I mentioned before, I would have the participants include a adhesive address label (it seems like they are always coming in the mail) with their money to save you from addressing so many boxes.

Thanks for doing what you are doing - keep up the great work.

2/4/2017 12:19:48 PM

Going Green

Hi Phil

Well, as you know this is my first time receiving your exotic seed package and l love it. I am a 4 H leader here just outside Toronto Canada and l will be using some of the seeds for myself for the club and l will offer the seeds to other 4 H clubs in Ontario. So the seeds will get out and see some dirt and some wonderful experiences to follow. Your next question is a tough one because more rules will only add frustration and work at your end. People will be people and not show the passion about the seeds in labelling as a dinglenut in me forgetting to add that the seeds l sent were field pumpkins. I will remember next time but l will try sending bushel gourd seeds next year.There were some big pumpkin seeds l received that l was extremely happy to see. So keep moving forward and keep showing off your best seeds to the world. The kids will be happy in the flowers, pumpkins, peppers, and many more to try in 2017

2/4/2017 12:49:14 PM

Going Green

Hi Phil,
I enjoy very much your exchange and hope that you will have it again and again.
Thank you for asking my opinion and like you, I wish for the following:
1) no poison seeds or if some are sent, well identified as such;
2) for the growers preparing seeds, make sure that there are no bugs in the envelope; a plastic envelope for corn seeds is the best since we can see through (that helped me to notice flour in the corn bag and eventually, the bugs that were actually eating the seeds from the inside);
3) maybe more beans, carrots (I am actually trying those stump carrots that I saw in this video - Sweet Candle carrots he calls them, and he does show in another video how he grows them in those barrels - I plan to present them in an exhibition next fall), or parsnips, zucchinis, melons, peas, lettuces, onions or unusual varieties like greek, chinese, italian, japanese or veggies etc.. If some have heirloom seeds, that would be nice too, well identified too.
4) maybe also unusual flowers; I have those dianthus (carnation family), Rainbow Loveliness they are called, so perfumed and gorgeous too; in my climate, they will come back for one or two seasons but I have to collect the seeds to make sure I can get them back because I just love the smell of those. Also, I have at least 30 different collection daylillies (hemerocallis) and sometimes, accidental pollination occurs and they produce seeds.. It would be fun to share them..

2/4/2017 2:24:20 PM

Going Green

That is about it.. Maybe another point: seeds date of harvest should be indicated on the envelope; onions or shallots or leeks seeds are best after only one season, at the second year, seeds are only 50% viable for germination (excuse my english here but I hope that you understand what I am trying to say).
I hope that this helps you to improve the exchange but already, it is always a happiness moment for me when the maillady knocks at my door for the box.
Thank you so much for all you do in this exchange. A big task, I know.. Let me know what you think.
Best regards,
Louise Chevrolet of Canada

2/4/2017 2:26:05 PM

Going Green

Yes I really enjoyed the selection. I think everything was ran good. No need to change anything. Maybe we could send you a return address label for the box of seeds you are sending us. Thanks again for taking the time to do the seed exchange. Good luck in 2017.

Thanks again
Steve Oglesby

2/4/2017 3:16:34 PM

Going Green

Phil,
I really enjoyed the seed selection! Wow, there are a lot to choose from. The range of seeds is very impressive.
A few things to improve on, would be no poison seeds. Also, one plastic envelope of indian corn had bugs in it. I had to throw the seeds out. So, my advice for that is to make sure no bugs with the seeds lol. I hope in 2017 more giant cantaloupe seeds, orange atlantic giants, and carrots. To help you out, have every one label the seeds better, and send you a label for shipping back the seeds. Thank you again for this opportunity, I really appreciate it!
Best regards and have a great 2017 growing season,
Joel Kibbie

2/4/2017 8:44:32 PM

Going Green

phil

love the seed best one ever
have all seeds label

thanks for putting it on
looking forward for next year
michael

2/4/2017 8:46:15 PM

Going Green

Dear Phil,
Another thing that I forgot to mention in my previous email, please no GMO (genetically modified organisms) especially with the corn seeds, soja etc..
I am pretty sure that we did not get any yet but just in case, if you specify in your invitation, it will be taken into consideration, hopefully.
Best regards,
Louise

2/4/2017 8:48:59 PM

Going Green

I loved the selection this year.. Seems to be getting better every year ...I think may improvements should be things to make it easier for you...ex-shipping labels ?... I'm planting lots of exchange seeds this year

2/4/2017 8:50:57 PM

Going Green

Phil,

First, thanks for taking the time to organize it. I enjoy the variety of seeds each year. I saw someone else mention that people should be reminded to label everything, I guess people should be reminded about that.

Thanks,

George

2/5/2017 11:30:58 AM

Going Green

I love the seed exchange such a variety! One thing I see is sometime seed packs aren't described with what the contents are. I like the separate package for each seed varieties instead of 4 types of seed in 1 package. Otherwise you're doing an astounding job

2/5/2017 11:32:21 AM

Going Green

Phil, I did enjoy the seed selections- Christmas for gardeners :-)........
Improve ? Not sure if there is need. I am going to add a multiple of selections next year as I am trying a multitude of large tomatoes and possibly give a few Kondor seed potatoes in the mix. I 'll see how they produce numbers wise before committing them to the draw.
Kevin Fortey was good enough to send me some starts of the Kondors and I am going to concentrate on growing large taters for the fair.
I look forward to participating more next go around this year.
I am into the unusual seeds and really large Gourds so there will be quite a variety of gourds - Hope others like them as well.

Thanx for asking

Sincerely Tim Hebb

2/5/2017 11:34:11 AM

Going Green

Yes, I did enjoy the seed selection. Some improvements could be: having people include a return label to help with getting the boxes ready to ship. Lastly, when people send you seeds with no labels you should ask them to send the labels to you via e-mail in order to be part of the seed exchange.
Thanks, Christopher

2/5/2017 8:17:11 PM

Going Green

Yes I enjoyed the seeds selection. I don't see any need for improvement at this time. Thanks again for starting this exchange.
Sincerely, Bruce w Lynch Jr.

2/6/2017 10:28:36 AM

Going Green

Thank you very much for all your work!!! we have the same seed exchange at the Crazy Growers ( crazy-growers.de) And I have to do all the work with the seeds, so I know how much work it is! !!! SO thank you alot!

This was the best selection at the last 3 Years! I am always happy about giant veggies and AG Seeds!

Lets do it again next year!
And sorry if it was not enough postage money. Next year I send you some more!
Thank you
Basti

2/6/2017 10:30:21 AM

Going Green

Hi Phil: seeds arrived Tuesday.

I noticed the high price of postage and have sent you $10 to cover the extra cost.

I am going to try and grow the peanut pumpkins and going to grow old squash and also an 848 Mackenzie of 04 - hope it germinates

Jim

2/8/2017 3:05:56 PM

Going Green

Hi phil,

I definitely enjoyed the selection! I don't think the selection could be better.
Possibly stressing the point for growers to label all seeds would make it easier to know what your growing. Perhaps having growers attach their email to their seeds would be cool as we could contact and ask questions

Thanks
Zach Drozdz

2/8/2017 3:06:43 PM

Italy

Hi Phil,
My seeds arrived yesterday and I'm very happy!
This was a really excellent exchange with a great selection of seeds from every parts of the world.
Thank you so much! Count me in for 2018.

2/9/2017 5:32:37 PM

Going Green

In the last month I have mailed out a replacement package to 5 of the 10 growers from overseas. This means that all the extra seeds are gone and it also means that I have had to pay postage twice for people who are overseas to get thier seeds. The last package I mailed was to John Nieuwenhoff and it cost me $15.50 twice and we still have no gauranteed that he will get his seeds. At this point I am sorry to say that seeds from over seeds have cost me over $75 in additional postage which came out of my pocket to ship . Before anyone else claims that they did not get thier seeds. THEY ARE ALL GONE, SORRY. Due to the incompetence of foreign post offices We will not be accepting any seed exchange members from overseas in 2017 EXOTIC SEED EXCHANGE.

I am sorry but I can not afford the money or the seeds to accommodate those who were mailed seeds but did not get them. The latest notice I recieved this morning was from Michael Bryne. And I have no seeds and no money to send them if I had them.

2/19/2017 8:21:33 AM

Going Green

Hello Phil:

Thank you very kindly for allowing me to participate in the Exotic Seed Exchange. I am looking forward to growing more than a few of the seeds from the package, and have found local homes for a lot more.

A few comments on the Exchange, and these are only my opinions:

1) Pack Seeds Individually. There are some packets that contained multiple types of seeds that I just will not use. I sort seeds based on what they are, and 3 different types of seed will not get repackaged to be filed.
2) One I was Guilty of, State the type of Seed on each package. Atlantic Giant, Field Pumpkin, Marrow, etc. A name with a number doesn't always tell you what it is as a lot of seed looks similar.

3)Finally, I was amazed at the effort it took to package the way I did, and the time it took. This has to be a large undertaking for you. In no way should you be expected to cover additional cost. Asking participants for an extra few dollars to help cover unexpected charges.2-3 dollars. If there is no issues, well then you end up with 1 hundred dollars for you effort (3-4 dollars an hour :P), but if there is any issues, then you have a little cushion. I can only imagine that you will incur 100 dollars in unexpected charges only so many times before you will stop doing it. (Maybe up the request for packets to 60?)

Thanks again for all you do with this,

Christopher

2/23/2017 3:23:15 PM

central NY

Sorry to hear about the shipping problems. That's a shame to lose our foreign contributors. Phil, would you mind posting their names and what they sent so we can all make sure their seeds hit the dirt? Maybe we can try to keep their genetics going for next year. Or as Christopher stated, perhaps we can all add a couple bucks to cover potential problems and keep them in for next season. Still worth it to me. However I'm not the one sorting the seeds and going to the post office. lol

3/1/2017 9:07:22 PM

Going Green

I did not not make a list of what each person sent. That is supposed to be on the seed label. We will try to get out of State growers to submit $20 if they want to participate. We are talking 10 out of state growers this year. Four of them were sent a second box. One other said he did not get his seed box. Th as the is 5 out of 10 were not recieved. Seeing the statistics I would not participate if I lived outside of the United States. Of the 42 growers within the United states only one did not get there seeds. They were sent another box of seeds which they did recieve.

3/6/2017 7:14:04 PM