Homegrwoninillinois wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:17 pm

Tormahto wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:41 pm

KinaTo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:12 pm Just wondering if there is any updates on how this swap is going?

I know a lot of ppl send in seeds and so it’s a lot of work, but it’s been weeks without updates

It's been weeks of being ill, and having my back finally go out on me. The one positive is no more hand cramps, and I can write again. And that is really needed, as I write notes on what I do each day. With little sleep, contributing to brain fog, when waking up in the morning, I generally do not remember what I did the previous 24 hours. The memory seems to be fine for anything beyond just the previous day.

Most packages will continue to be delayed. It would be best to let participants from TLC know that tomatoes and peppers may not arrive in time for starting this year. ALL seeds requests will be filled, I just don't know when. I'm really going to try to get packages out, so that at least warm weather direct sowing veggies/fruits can be used this year.

I suppose this is the place to mention that I've yet to send out Christmas cards, in the Secret Santa seed swap that I'm in.

At some point, I was almost expecting this to happen, after struggling the past two years to get packages out on time. Early signups for this round of the MMMM was initially very slow. So I asked, here, about other internet groups to contact for increasing participation. TLC was the right one. Adding the TLC participants, and all of the new requests, and varieties sent in, from your group was part of the struggling, but I wanted to do it. And, I want to do it right. I've had so many generous donations of many hundreds of seed packets from so many people, that my plan is still to send back an average of about 200 packs, up from an average of 100-150 in previous years.

And, there will have to be a big change for the next swap, where I simply will have to go to working on it year round. Sometime (maybe late spring or early summer) I will first inventory and list everything in the collection (I consider this the MMMM participant's collection, not mine). From there, I'd like participants to choose the vast majority of their wish list. I can do much of the packing from summer through fall. Late in the year, when new packages arrive, here, participants can top off their wish lists from all of the new varieties that come in.

And, Jen will soon be receiving the Everything But The Kitchen Sink (EBTKS) swap package. Although she is a bit down in the middle of the list on receiving it, where I don't know what was taken out, and what was put in, it should be larger than all three MMMM packages she got in the last swap. I'm hoping for another youtube video, where TLC members can see it, and hopefully sign up for that swap. My plan is to expand that swap (US participation only) to multiple boxes going out, to relieve the amount of time it takes me with the MMMM.

And finally, when the EBTKS swap is over, I'd like feedback from participants on what they liked about it, what they didn't like about it (some types of seeds have already run out, from what I hear), input on how to improve it, and whether they would participate again (realizing participation may not be each year, as people may get several years worth of grow outs in one swap).

I’m sorry to hear you aren’t quite on the mend yet. But glad some things have improved for you. I really enjoyed the EBTKS box. Cali just had it and also really enjoyed it. I knew a few people who were following me and I let them know privately it was low on pepper varieties. I tried to add multiples of anything I put it, in case more joined on to the end. I also added additional treats for the same reason.

I would gladly participate in the EVTKS again in place if MMMM next year. My suggestion is maybe do one in December and the second mid February? Southern growers might choose the first box where northerners or people less concerned with immediate growing could choose the second. Some could choose both boxes?

This may also allow the first box to return and at least be a portion of the beginning of the second box?

The downside to this idea of mine is usually shipping charges are higher from 11/1-1/1 I believe, I do not know if this impacts the priority box cost?

If there is anything I can do (I don’t know what that would be, but I wanted to offer in case there is) to help you with this portion of the mmmm please don’t hesitate to ask.

I did speak with Val, as she was the next person after the Wisconsin member to receive the EBTKS and hopefully you have an address for her. If not I have it and can provide it to you. She also struggles a bit with the site.

~Sam

Homegrwoninillinois wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:17 pm .... I really enjoyed the EBTKS box. Cali just had it and also really enjoyed it. I knew a few people who were following me and I let them know privately it was low on pepper varieties.....

habitat-gardener wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 4:11 pm

Homegrwoninillinois wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:17 pm .... I really enjoyed the EBTKS box. Cali just had it and also really enjoyed it. I knew a few people who were following me and I let them know privately it was low on pepper varieties.....

I will have several pepper varieties to add when the box finally makes its way to me!

Tormahto wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:41 pm

KinaTo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:12 pm Just wondering if there is any updates on how this swap is going?

I know a lot of ppl send in seeds and so it’s a lot of work, but it’s been weeks without updates

It's been weeks of being ill, and having my back finally go out on me. The one positive is no more hand cramps, and I can write again. And that is really needed, as I write notes on what I do each day. With little sleep, contributing to brain fog, when waking up in the morning, I generally do not remember what I did the previous 24 hours. The memory seems to be fine for anything beyond just the previous day.

Most packages will continue to be delayed. It would be best to let participants from TLC know that tomatoes and peppers may not arrive in time for starting this year. ALL seeds requests will be filled, I just don't know when. I'm really going to try to get packages out, so that at least warm weather direct sowing veggies/fruits can be used this year.

I suppose this is the place to mention that I've yet to send out Christmas cards, in the Secret Santa seed swap that I'm in.

At some point, I was almost expecting this to happen, after struggling the past two years to get packages out on time. Early signups for this round of the MMMM was initially very slow. So I asked, here, about other internet groups to contact for increasing participation. TLC was the right one. Adding the TLC participants, and all of the new requests, and varieties sent in, from your group was part of the struggling, but I wanted to do it. And, I want to do it right. I've had so many generous donations of many hundreds of seed packets from so many people, that my plan is still to send back an average of about 200 packs, up from an average of 100-150 in previous years.

And, there will have to be a big change for the next swap, where I simply will have to go to working on it year round. Sometime (maybe late spring or early summer) I will first inventory and list everything in the collection (I consider this the MMMM participant's collection, not mine). From there, I'd like participants to choose the vast majority of their wish list. I can do much of the packing from summer through fall. Late in the year, when new packages arrive, here, participants can top off their wish lists from all of the new varieties that come in.

And, Jen will soon be receiving the Everything But The Kitchen Sink (EBTKS) swap package. Although she is a bit down in the middle of the list on receiving it, where I don't know what was taken out, and what was put in, it should be larger than all three MMMM packages she got in the last swap. I'm hoping for another youtube video, where TLC members can see it, and hopefully sign up for that swap. My plan is to expand that swap (US participation only) to multiple boxes going out, to relieve the amount of time it takes me with the MMMM.

And finally, when the EBTKS swap is over, I'd like feedback from participants on what they liked about it, what they didn't like about it (some types of seeds have already run out, from what I hear), input on how to improve it, and whether they would participate again (realizing participation may not be each year, as people may get several years worth of grow outs in one swap).

Tormato wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:48 pm

Homegrwoninillinois wrote: ↑Thu Mar 20, 2025 10:17 pm

Tormahto wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:41 pm

KinaTo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:12 pm Just wondering if there is any updates on how this swap is going?

I know a lot of ppl send in seeds and so it’s a lot of work, but it’s been weeks without updates

It's been weeks of being ill, and having my back finally go out on me. The one positive is no more hand cramps, and I can write again. And that is really needed, as I write notes on what I do each day. With little sleep, contributing to brain fog, when waking up in the morning, I generally do not remember what I did the previous 24 hours. The memory seems to be fine for anything beyond just the previous day.

Most packages will continue to be delayed. It would be best to let participants from TLC know that tomatoes and peppers may not arrive in time for starting this year. ALL seeds requests will be filled, I just don't know when. I'm really going to try to get packages out, so that at least warm weather direct sowing veggies/fruits can be used this year.

I suppose this is the place to mention that I've yet to send out Christmas cards, in the Secret Santa seed swap that I'm in.

At some point, I was almost expecting this to happen, after struggling the past two years to get packages out on time. Early signups for this round of the MMMM was initially very slow. So I asked, here, about other internet groups to contact for increasing participation. TLC was the right one. Adding the TLC participants, and all of the new requests, and varieties sent in, from your group was part of the struggling, but I wanted to do it. And, I want to do it right. I've had so many generous donations of many hundreds of seed packets from so many people, that my plan is still to send back an average of about 200 packs, up from an average of 100-150 in previous years.

And, there will have to be a big change for the next swap, where I simply will have to go to working on it year round. Sometime (maybe late spring or early summer) I will first inventory and list everything in the collection (I consider this the MMMM participant's collection, not mine). From there, I'd like participants to choose the vast majority of their wish list. I can do much of the packing from summer through fall. Late in the year, when new packages arrive, here, participants can top off their wish lists from all of the new varieties that come in.

And, Jen will soon be receiving the Everything But The Kitchen Sink (EBTKS) swap package. Although she is a bit down in the middle of the list on receiving it, where I don't know what was taken out, and what was put in, it should be larger than all three MMMM packages she got in the last swap. I'm hoping for another youtube video, where TLC members can see it, and hopefully sign up for that swap. My plan is to expand that swap (US participation only) to multiple boxes going out, to relieve the amount of time it takes me with the MMMM.

And finally, when the EBTKS swap is over, I'd like feedback from participants on what they liked about it, what they didn't like about it (some types of seeds have already run out, from what I hear), input on how to improve it, and whether they would participate again (realizing participation may not be each year, as people may get several years worth of grow outs in one swap).

I’m sorry to hear you aren’t quite on the mend yet. But glad some things have improved for you. I really enjoyed the EBTKS box. Cali just had it and also really enjoyed it. I knew a few people who were following me and I let them know privately it was low on pepper varieties. I tried to add multiples of anything I put it, in case more joined on to the end. I also added additional treats for the same reason.

I would gladly participate in the EVTKS again in place if MMMM next year. My suggestion is maybe do one in December and the second mid February? Southern growers might choose the first box where northerners or people less concerned with immediate growing could choose the second. Some could choose both boxes?

This may also allow the first box to return and at least be a portion of the beginning of the second box?

The downside to this idea of mine is usually shipping charges are higher from 11/1-1/1 I believe, I do not know if this impacts the priority box cost?

If there is anything I can do (I don’t know what that would be, but I wanted to offer in case there is) to help you with this portion of the mmmm please don’t hesitate to ask.

I did speak with Val, as she was the next person after the Wisconsin member to receive the EBTKS and hopefully you have an address for her. If not I have it and can provide it to you. She also struggles a bit with the site.

~Sam

There will be much to discuss about the EBTKS swap, later in the year.

The earliest that I could send out one box would likely be right at about the end of the year or the beginning of the new year. Many of the packages with the most exotic and greatest variety of seeds usually arrive, here, near the end of the year. And, inventorying what comes in, is an absolute must to run the MMMM. I'd be simultaneously packing seeds into the EBTKS swap boxes at the same time as doing the inventory.

It takes about a month for perhaps 5-6 participants to receive the box. I was expecting about 4 a month. Sending out all boxes would be best in early January.

There were not a huge amount of peppers, as not a huge amount came in, and the leftover inventory was a lot of 5 year old seeds. Also, most pepper varieties only have 10 or less packs each. So, most of those are going to the MMMM.

We all didn't want "crap" seeds in the swap, so I left the old peppers out. Maybe, in the next swap, I will include a crap bag of mixed tomatoes (none of the individual categories) a mixed bag of peppers (hot & sweet), and maybe a mixed bag of "other" seeds. All will be labeled "OLD". Those that don't want to mess with unknown to no germination seeds can pass, on opening those large baggies. I do have enough old tomato seeds, with maybe one person or less a year who requests them. They want to experiment, now, with attempting to germinate old seed, rather than waiting until that rare variety shows up as old seed.

Pole snap and dry, and bush snap and dry, beans were included in fairly large quantities, Wax, half-runner, Asian long, lima, cowpea, adzuki, soy, runner (not "common" bean type), garbanzo, etc...were in small amounts (if I even included all of them). I need to find my packing notes.

I think the box is heading out to the Wisconsinite, or is already there. I have Val's address, and will get it to her. Then I will need to get Jen's address to Val.

Tormato wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:48 pm
I think the box is heading out to the Wisconsinite, or is already there. I have Val's address, and will get it to her. Then I will need to get Jen's address to Val. (bold/italics mine)

Cornelius_Gotchberg wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 9:21 am

Tormato wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:48 pm
I think the box is heading out to the Wisconsinite, or is already there. I have Val's address, and will get it to her. Then I will need to get Jen's address to Val. (bold/italics mine)

Anyone The Gotch knows.....?

The Gotch

Tormahto wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:30 pmJayneR13

Cornelius_Gotchberg wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:50 pm

Tormahto wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 1:30 pmJayneR13

FWIW, The Gotch was hoping for confirmation of a shipment to a different America's Dairyland denizen.

The Gotch

MrsTomatoHead wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 7:58 am

Tormahto wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:41 pm

KinaTo wrote: ↑Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:12 pm Just wondering if there is any updates on how this swap is going?

I know a lot of ppl send in seeds and so it’s a lot of work, but it’s been weeks without updates

It's been weeks of being ill, and having my back finally go out on me. The one positive is no more hand cramps, and I can write again. And that is really needed, as I write notes on what I do each day. With little sleep, contributing to brain fog, when waking up in the morning, I generally do not remember what I did the previous 24 hours. The memory seems to be fine for anything beyond just the previous day.

Most packages will continue to be delayed. It would be best to let participants from TLC know that tomatoes and peppers may not arrive in time for starting this year. ALL seeds requests will be filled, I just don't know when. I'm really going to try to get packages out, so that at least warm weather direct sowing veggies/fruits can be used this year.

I suppose this is the place to mention that I've yet to send out Christmas cards, in the Secret Santa seed swap that I'm in.

At some point, I was almost expecting this to happen, after struggling the past two years to get packages out on time. Early signups for this round of the MMMM was initially very slow. So I asked, here, about other internet groups to contact for increasing participation. TLC was the right one. Adding the TLC participants, and all of the new requests, and varieties sent in, from your group was part of the struggling, but I wanted to do it. And, I want to do it right. I've had so many generous donations of many hundreds of seed packets from so many people, that my plan is still to send back an average of about 200 packs, up from an average of 100-150 in previous years.

And, there will have to be a big change for the next swap, where I simply will have to go to working on it year round. Sometime (maybe late spring or early summer) I will first inventory and list everything in the collection (I consider this the MMMM participant's collection, not mine). From there, I'd like participants to choose the vast majority of their wish list. I can do much of the packing from summer through fall. Late in the year, when new packages arrive, here, participants can top off their wish lists from all of the new varieties that come in.

And, Jen will soon be receiving the Everything But The Kitchen Sink (EBTKS) swap package. Although she is a bit down in the middle of the list on receiving it, where I don't know what was taken out, and what was put in, it should be larger than all three MMMM packages she got in the last swap. I'm hoping for another youtube video, where TLC members can see it, and hopefully sign up for that swap. My plan is to expand that swap (US participation only) to multiple boxes going out, to relieve the amount of time it takes me with the MMMM.

And finally, when the EBTKS swap is over, I'd like feedback from participants on what they liked about it, what they didn't like about it (some types of seeds have already run out, from what I hear), input on how to improve it, and whether they would participate again (realizing participation may not be each year, as people may get several years worth of grow outs in one swap).

Perhaps doing multiple swaps at the same time, especially now that you have all the TLC involvement, isn’t the best way to go about it. Just the tomato swap is a lot when you factor in all the new peeps who have participated from our group.

@Tormato , do you have an idea of when peeps will be getting the tomato one that I can report to them? I’m sorry you have been poorly, believe me….I live with chronic pain and illness so can totally relate to this…..but peeps are asking and it would be nice to give them a general idea.

Thanks!
Lauren

Cornelius_Gotchberg wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 9:21 am

Tormato wrote: ↑Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:48 pm
I think the box is heading out to the Wisconsinite, or is already there. I have Val's address, and will get it to her. Then I will need to get Jen's address to Val. (bold/italics mine)

Anyone The Gotch knows.....?

The Gotch

WindyWI1968 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 12:07 amAm I the Wisconsinite? Lol I have been to Madison a few times on the way to pick up or drop off my son at the University of Platville.

WindyWI1968 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 12:07 am
Am I the Wisconsinite? <snip>

bmo wrote: ↑Thu Apr 10, 2025 3:23 am Can we have an update on how things are looking? Is there only 1 departure going out each month, or more than has been listed?

MissS wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:00 pm Per Tormato, Tormahto, Gary

I turned 66, and feel closer to 96. The latest is that I "may" have walking pneumonia, nurses aren't sure. Hospitals, and their doctors and nurse practitioners (who would be able sign off on meds), don't want to see me, or my sneezing, as I'm without medical insurance. I have a persistent dry cough, that off and on sneezing, and very low energy, and no other symptoms. For now, they say to get rest (about a month), keep up with nutrition, and come back if anything gets worse.

Because I may be contagious until all symptoms disappear, I have to hold off on doing the swap, for now. The best thing for me would be to rest for close to a month. But, I know that I will cheat when I have a few days of very warm, very sunny, calm days, and attempt to pack some things outside. I'm also saddened that the small chocolate sample squares were starting to melt, indoors, here, on the one warm day. So, I will have to exclude those, this year.

So, participants will have to plan on their packages being for their next year's garden. As long as I'm alive and able, all packages will go out.

Also, I am now currently without home internet service. So, for the next month, I might be rarely online. Next week, I will attempt to PM MIssS all of the addresses for the participants in the EBTKS swap, if I am not able to do it myself.

Hopefully, someone can pass this info on to the TLC group.

Sometime next week is when I will, at the earliest, be back online.