Yes, USPS seems to be in meltdown. I sent two 2-Day Priority packages from Philadelphia to New England on Monday and watched our mail carrier pick them up.

They didn't show up on USPS Tracking until this morning - in a sorting center in South Carolina!

Saw something on the Internet: "Stop tracking that package. It's in God's hands now."

Nan6b wrote: ↑Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:06 am Saw something on the Internet: "Stop tracking that package. It's in God's hands now."

Ha ha! I just sent a copy of that meme to a friend because I'd been trying to track the Christmas present I sent to her child At least, according to the online tracking, it has made it to the right state

OhioGardener wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 8:28 pm

Tormato wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 2:19 pm
The bad news is that I can't find the most requested variety in the swap, Ambrosia Gold. I'll keep looking for it.

I don't know how you have things organized, but I sent in 10 packs of Ambrosia Gold with my seeds. They're in clear plastic 2 x 2 zip lock bags with an insert typed on white paper giving the name and description if that helps.

I figured it out. I know you sent them, and I know your labels. Your second label sometimes covers most of the first label. So Am...is all I read, and packed them in with Am...ish Orangish Yellow Oxheart.

Going out...

CA Ch E
CA Ha G
CA Hu N
CA Ts B
CA Yu F
FL Ka B
KY Ma D
ID Jo M
ID Os S
PA Jo R
WY Ch T
WY Po D

Wow Tormato! Now that's a productive Mailing!

Some Santas from Tomato Junction wonder if Tormato has any wishes or Needs?
You do so much for everyone-can any Santa anywhere help you cover any costs?
Marking pens, shipping envelopes, baggies, postage or the like?!
We know you are probably set for seeds, but just sayin'
You are so appreciated over several continents.
Many hands make work lighter...or I heard something like that!

Tormato if you are running light on any supplies, I bet Amazon..oops.... cough cough.... SANTA..... could send reinforcements your way!
Happy holidays!
Tomato folks are the best folks.

Wishes? Better communication, starting on my end.

I know it's not any easy swap to understand for newbies. Even those who've been doing it for years can be forgetful, like me. I forgot to ask people to send a list of what they are sending in, for me to look at while I stuff their ravioli. So, some might be getting back a few varieties that they sent in. A few participants go to great lengths to send me a list of every variety they have, a single-sided printed sheet of paper, 5 columns, 100 or so varieties per column, 500+ varieties, all in alphabetical order. If not in alphabetical order, it is a nightmare.

MMMM non-tomato seed wasn't stated clearly that it's all available for the asking.

Two things that I'd like to work on for next year are new hybrids for the swap, with input from participants. The second would be more participants in the NIfty Fifty part of the swap. 50 participants X 50 packs of seeds is 2,500 packs, which would make about 25% of the swap go much faster.

There might be more, if I can remember what they are.

HL2601 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:23 pm Wow Tormato! Now that's a productive Mailing!

Some Santas from Tomato Junction wonder if Tormato has any wishes or Needs?
You do so much for everyone-can any Santa anywhere help you cover any costs?
Marking pens, shipping envelopes, baggies, postage or the like?!
We know you are probably set for seeds, but just sayin'
You are so appreciated over several continents.
Many hands make work lighter...or I heard something like that!

Tormato if you are running light on any supplies, I bet Amazon..oops.... cough cough.... SANTA..... could send reinforcements your way!
Happy holidays!
Tomato folks are the best folks.

arrivals...

ALB Mc D
AZ Ak P


departures...

AZ Ak P (1st one day turnover, ever)
CA Be M

Tormato, could you let us know which tomatoes would qualify for the Nifty Fifty? I'm sure you can get 50 varieties grown out from us.

guruofgardens wrote: ↑Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:36 pm Tormato, could you let us know which tomatoes would qualify for the Nifty Fifty? I'm sure you can get 50 varieties grown out from us.

What qualifies is a superb tomato that virtually no one knows about. It also must be kept a Mystery. And to do so, candidates for the NF must be PM'd to me for approval. A sweet non-bell pepper, and a mildly hot pepper may also make the NF.

"Blue Oyster" does not qualify because it does not yet exist.

Tormato wrote: ↑Tue Dec 15, 2020 3:14 pm Departing today...

MI Br K
WA Kv S

I was so honored to be one of the first two to be sent their package. The USPS first showed the package would arrive on Saturday, 4 days after being sent. It finally arrived today, 8 days after being sent. The envelope was filled with packets of seeds. There must have been at least 50 varieties I was hoping for and countless others to learn about. Thanks so much Gary!!!

yah, i was the other one.
i was expecting them by last saturday, based on previous deliveries. they
arrived on wednesday. i had wished for a few micro seeds to try growing.
it looks like gary sent every micro variety in existence! i didn't count them
but there is a lot. now i have to find that when to start micro varieties thread
during the winter. just in time for christmas.

thanks gary



keith

I got my package in the mail today. Ya Ya!!

WooHoo - I got my package today - Saturday, Dec 26. Thank you so much for doing this.

I got mine today also... For sure was not expecting them this soon after mailing.

Mine arrived safely today! WOW THIS IS AMAZING! So many varieties I've never heard of. Thank you so much!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

last arrival?...

AL Se J

departures...

CA Ku T
CO Do H
IL Ga K
IN Ry P
IN Zi L
MA Ga G
MD Wo K
OH Be S
WA Go L
WA K S
WI Sc P
WI Tu L

and if the PO lines are short today...

GA Gr A
VA Ba R

Received my bubbler in the mail this morning. My Oh' My! I'm so thankful for all the hard work everyone put into making this possible. Especially you Gary, thank you!

I also got the mission for MMMM 2021. I Accept, .

Its nice to see all the methods used for labeling and sending in for the exchange. As a first time MMMM newbie, this has been a very informative year. I'll be sure to use everything I've learned for next year.

And, I think i need to expand on my storage methods .

Thanks so much tormato for sending me the beautiful package of tomatoes/peppers. Its been raining today so it was nice to receive some happy mail. Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!!!

Tormato wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:44 pm Going out...

CA Ch E
CA Ha G
CA Hu N
CA Ts B
CA Yu F
FL Ka B
KY Ma D
ID Jo M
ID Os S
PA Jo R
WY Ch T
WY Po D

My package arrived. Thank you!! Now to make more garden space.