Like Alana, I've been participating in group trades/swaps just like this for at least a decade and they can be a lot of fun. Since there is already a lot of experience in this type of trade, a lot of the issues/obstacles are already known. I've never hosted one myself, though. If we could find someone who has hosted several swaps, they would be a good source of info. If we can't, however, I think there are enough people on ATP that have participated in group seed swaps that we could cobble together a lot of the information between us.
I think having an ATP seed swap would be a great idea and might attract new members. Gardenweb members hosted a lot of group trades until recently when Houzz took over. Most of the good traders have left and now most posts are just people trying to sponge free seeds off of good-hearted people. If we could attract more of those fabulous traders/gardeners, that would be wonderful. (Thankfully, some of those lovely people are already ATP members.
)
I've had a rubbish year as far as gardening and seed collecting so I'm not sure if I'll participate yet but I can try to help with some info, at least.
Here's a start of some info that might be helpful:
The host needs to be a known, trustworthy person. You don't want a scammer who will keep all the seeds and postage money for themselves.
Seeds need to be mailed in a bubble envelope or a box. Bubble wrap in a regular envelope doesn't work. The seeds and bubble wrap just get crushed in the machines.
Require delivery confirmation on the packages going both ways. That way you have a way to confirm if someone really mailed their package or not and might have a better chance of finding a lost package.
USPS will send you free flat-rate Priority boxes or padded envelopes mailed directly to your house. They usually cost around $6 to mail but include a free box/envelope, tracking/delivery confirmation, and faster delivery. It may end up costing a dollar or two more than sending First Class (postage, cost of envelope, delivery confirmation) for small packages but can be the same or cheaper for larger/heavier packages. It is also easier, especially on the host who is juggling many packages. It can also help with finding lost packages. One year an entire mail bag of Piggy Swap seeds got lost in the postal system. Because the host had all of the Priority tracking numbers and kept calling the post office daily, they were able to track the bag down and get the packages delivered.
https://store.usps.com/store/b...
Participants need to bag up and label each trade of seeds individually before they send it to the host. It would be cruel to expect someone to divide up and label a thousand packs of seeds. (yes, it can be thousands in a good trade!)
If participants are sending more than one pack of seeds to another participant, they need to have a larger baggie or envelope and gather all of the seeds going to that person in one baggie/envelope and label it: who it's going to, who it's from, and how many packs. (If only sending one pack you can still do this or put the same info on the individual pack.)
Such as:
To: Dave
Total Packs = 12
(from Danita)
I typed this up for another trade but though it might be helpful here...
Pack Up Your Individual Packs of Seed
Use small plastic baggies, paper envelopes, etc. but be sure that whatever you use is secure and doesn't allow seeds to wriggle out of small cracks. (The little craft/bead baggies that they sell at Walmart or on Amazon are easy & cheap. )
Some general labeling notes:
Sharpie marker on plastic bags rubs off and smudges. By the time people receive the seed, they may no longer be able to read it.
Be sure labels are inside baggies or securely attached.
Label each individual Seed Packet with :
1) Plant's Name (both scientific & common is preferred, if known. Scientific is better than common.)
2) Year the seed was collected or purchased if it's commercial
3) Source - commercial or garden collected
4) Including your "username" is preferred
Example:
________
Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'
Texas Sage
2014 commercial
(from Danita)
________
Feel free to include sowing directions or any other useful information, but it's not required.
___________________________
I have to do some other stuff now, but can add more info later. Hopefully, other group trade veterans can help with info & experiences, too.
Edit: I see I've cross-posted with Rick so already have some veteran info & experience! I'll have to read what he wrote and see if he got everything right or not.
(just joking)
