OswaldAcres wrote: ↑Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:14 pm Approx how many global/forever stamps (is that correct?) Would be needed for postage to canada, when I send my package to you, I want to make sure I am sending more than enough postage to cover everything

Kymmy99 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:41 am Hello,

I am hoping to participate from the UK and just have a few questions:

1. I have done a few swaps and recieved some US international global stamps so I can put this in the envelope with no issue for return postage. Is there a max size envelope these apply to so I know how many stamps/envelopes to send? (I am sending tomatoes and peppers only)

2. I also have non international forever stamps, would they be of benefit to send?

3. Do you think it's worth splitting my submission Into smaller envelopes and just noting 1 of 4, 2 of 4 etc for example inside?

4. Is there another way to send you $? Can go and get some currency exchanged somewhere if not.

5. Lastly, would you like some retail f1 varieties sent in? Lots are on clearance here now

Thanks

Kym

KatrinaD wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 10:44 pm I apologize in advance, I have several questions. This is my first year swapping, so I appreciate your patience.

Questions regarding categories.
1. Do the 10 packs of seeds need to be the same variety to enter a category? Or if, for example, I have 10 different varieties but only one pack of each variety would that qualify me to enter that category?
2. Should I send a different bubble mailer per category?

I also have a questions regarding limits of how much I send in.
1. Is there a limit to how much I send? I am currently at about 250 packs just for tomatoes, and haven't started anything else yet. I want to send in as much variety as I can but also want to try to have enough of each variety that I have lots of to go around. I also don't want to overload the system.
2. How many packs per variety would be considered sufficient? Currently, I am packing up 10 packs per variety that I have lots of (but I am debating whether I should do more packs of the varieties that are in abundance), then I have a handful of varieties I can only do 5 packs, then a bunch I can only do one or two packs.

I am probably overthinking it, but also want to make it as easy as possible once I mail everything in. Thank You!

Tormato wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2024 8:47 pm

KatrinaD wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 10:44 pm I apologize in advance, I have several questions. This is my first year swapping, so I appreciate your patience.

Questions regarding categories.
1. Do the 10 packs of seeds need to be the same variety to enter a category? Or if, for example, I have 10 different varieties but only one pack of each variety would that qualify me to enter that category?
2. Should I send a different bubble mailer per category?

I also have a questions regarding limits of how much I send in.
1. Is there a limit to how much I send? I am currently at about 250 packs just for tomatoes, and haven't started anything else yet. I want to send in as much variety as I can but also want to try to have enough of each variety that I have lots of to go around. I also don't want to overload the system.
2. How many packs per variety would be considered sufficient? Currently, I am packing up 10 packs per variety that I have lots of (but I am debating whether I should do more packs of the varieties that are in abundance), then I have a handful of varieties I can only do 5 packs, then a bunch I can only do one or two packs.

I am probably overthinking it, but also want to make it as easy as possible once I mail everything in. Thank You!

1. Don't worry about this one. Having people send in 10 packs of a single variety to get back 10 different packs in the same Category was done to have the swap well balanced, and not running out of varieties in any Category.

In some previous swaps, an example would be someone sending in 100 packs of seeds, 10 packs of 10 different varieties for 10 different Categories, and they're wanting back only 100 different Cherry varieties. Categories would run low to almost out, where near the end of the swap I'd struggle to decide among the last 5 people who would get the last 3 packs of a variety. There were few extra donations back then.

With everyone who requests certain Categories on their wish lists, I try to come up with 10 different varieties for each Category. There are only a few Categories in the swap where it's difficult to do so; Cool Weather, Experimental (maybe not this year), Giant, Hot Weather, Multi-flora, Novelty, Very Early, and Variegated (a new one, which might be a disaster, but hopefully the participant who suggested that Category isn't reading this ). A single variety can qualify for several Categories, although sometimes I will not know all of the Categories (especially cool or hot weather ones). That gives me a lot of flexibility towards balancing things out. Participants should suggest what Category they want each of their sent in varieties to go into, otherwise I choose.

2. ONE bubble mailer (or flat rate box???) for everything. You might be using one size up from the standard #0 (6" X 9"), and/or you might be getting one size up in return.

What works best for me, is a group of packs (5?, 10?,20?) of each variety (using small zip type baggies) put into a larger zip type baggie (usually a sandwich size one). 1 or 2 packs (like others' wish list varieties) of varieties can ALL be put in one larger baggie.

There is no limit on what can be sent in, as it can't be overloaded with seeds. If there are simply too many packs of a single variety (it "may" happen with BLT this year, as two participants are likely sending in 100 packs each), or if I get many bulk packs of seeds, I reserve those for the next year's swap. I try to keep one pack of 5 seeds of almost every variety in the swap in reserve, in case someone very late to entering the swap is looking for that variety. But certain things like some Kozulas, and likely the Jarsons this year, I expect will be depleted

You are not overthinking it. Sending in as much variety as one wants, and as many packs of each variety as they want, makes the swap run as smooth as possible on my end. This year, because of all of the new participants from TLC, 20 packs of each variety would be a big help. While not knowing what is in others' collections, it may be that people from Tomatojunction will like what people from TLC are sending in, and vice versa. For the Mystery part of the swap, I'll likely try to send a lot of one group's varieties to the other group.

You are putting a great effort into this, so now it comes back to what you want back. if you want a one for one trade that's fine. If you want 150 varieties back (what the average participant has received for the past several years, that is fine). If I have the time and the seeds, people might be getting back more than an average of 150. For now, that is unknown. 200 back? 250? or more back, it's entirely up to you.

KinaTo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 12:25 pm If you have a seeds thats on someones wishlist like enough to send in a couple or so bags with 5-10 seeds. Is it possible to just send in that?

KatrinaD wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:38 pm

Tormato wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2024 8:47 pm

KatrinaD wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 10:44 pm I apologize in advance, I have several questions. This is my first year swapping, so I appreciate your patience.

Questions regarding categories.
1. Do the 10 packs of seeds need to be the same variety to enter a category? Or if, for example, I have 10 different varieties but only one pack of each variety would that qualify me to enter that category?
2. Should I send a different bubble mailer per category?

I also have a questions regarding limits of how much I send in.
1. Is there a limit to how much I send? I am currently at about 250 packs just for tomatoes, and haven't started anything else yet. I want to send in as much variety as I can but also want to try to have enough of each variety that I have lots of to go around. I also don't want to overload the system.
2. How many packs per variety would be considered sufficient? Currently, I am packing up 10 packs per variety that I have lots of (but I am debating whether I should do more packs of the varieties that are in abundance), then I have a handful of varieties I can only do 5 packs, then a bunch I can only do one or two packs.

I am probably overthinking it, but also want to make it as easy as possible once I mail everything in. Thank You!

1. Don't worry about this one. Having people send in 10 packs of a single variety to get back 10 different packs in the same Category was done to have the swap well balanced, and not running out of varieties in any Category.

In some previous swaps, an example would be someone sending in 100 packs of seeds, 10 packs of 10 different varieties for 10 different Categories, and they're wanting back only 100 different Cherry varieties. Categories would run low to almost out, where near the end of the swap I'd struggle to decide among the last 5 people who would get the last 3 packs of a variety. There were few extra donations back then.

With everyone who requests certain Categories on their wish lists, I try to come up with 10 different varieties for each Category. There are only a few Categories in the swap where it's difficult to do so; Cool Weather, Experimental (maybe not this year), Giant, Hot Weather, Multi-flora, Novelty, Very Early, and Variegated (a new one, which might be a disaster, but hopefully the participant who suggested that Category isn't reading this ). A single variety can qualify for several Categories, although sometimes I will not know all of the Categories (especially cool or hot weather ones). That gives me a lot of flexibility towards balancing things out. Participants should suggest what Category they want each of their sent in varieties to go into, otherwise I choose.

2. ONE bubble mailer (or flat rate box???) for everything. You might be using one size up from the standard #0 (6" X 9"), and/or you might be getting one size up in return.

What works best for me, is a group of packs (5?, 10?,20?) of each variety (using small zip type baggies) put into a larger zip type baggie (usually a sandwich size one). 1 or 2 packs (like others' wish list varieties) of varieties can ALL be put in one larger baggie.

There is no limit on what can be sent in, as it can't be overloaded with seeds. If there are simply too many packs of a single variety (it "may" happen with BLT this year, as two participants are likely sending in 100 packs each), or if I get many bulk packs of seeds, I reserve those for the next year's swap. I try to keep one pack of 5 seeds of almost every variety in the swap in reserve, in case someone very late to entering the swap is looking for that variety. But certain things like some Kozulas, and likely the Jarsons this year, I expect will be depleted

You are not overthinking it. Sending in as much variety as one wants, and as many packs of each variety as they want, makes the swap run as smooth as possible on my end. This year, because of all of the new participants from TLC, 20 packs of each variety would be a big help. While not knowing what is in others' collections, it may be that people from Tomatojunction will like what people from TLC are sending in, and vice versa. For the Mystery part of the swap, I'll likely try to send a lot of one group's varieties to the other group.

You are putting a great effort into this, so now it comes back to what you want back. if you want a one for one trade that's fine. If you want 150 varieties back (what the average participant has received for the past several years, that is fine). If I have the time and the seeds, people might be getting back more than an average of 150. For now, that is unknown. 200 back? 250? or more back, it's entirely up to you.

Thank you! That clears up my questions. I am glad to hear that if I send in extra they can be used for future swaps.
As far as what I want back, honestly, I don't have a huge garden, its only about 20' x30'. I can only grow so much in a year so I am happy with whatever gets sent back to me. I am just happy to participate and share what I am able.

DawnShively wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 6:42 pm Is there a separate area to sign up for entering peppers or do we just send them along with the tomato seeds? I hope this made sense

Tormato wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 9:06 pm When I find time, I will be updating the Master Lists.

MissS wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 8:35 am

Tormato wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 9:06 pm When I find time, I will be updating the Master Lists.

chum-ladle.jpg

He's been too busy chumming the sharks.

SophieOLLIER wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 12:12 pm Hello @Tormato
What is the deadline to enter the MMMM SWAP?
Thank you

Tormato wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 1:30 pm

SophieOLLIER wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 12:12 pm Hello @Tormato
What is the deadline to enter the MMMM SWAP?
Thank you

There's no deadline...if you don't mind receiving seeds in February, or March, or...

Otherwise, roughly about November 20th, posting to the who's participating thread, and posting to the wish list thread (ASAP) so that participants who haven't yet sent in their packages might read your wish list, and might fulfill your wishes.

Tormato wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 1:30 pm

SophieOLLIER wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 12:12 pm Hello @Tormato
What is the deadline to enter the MMMM SWAP?
Thank you

There's no deadline...if you don't mind receiving seeds in February, or March, or...

Otherwise, roughly about November 20th, posting to the who's participating thread, and posting to the wish list thread (ASAP) so that participants who haven't yet sent in their packages might read your wish list, and might fulfill your wishes.