2011/2012 Veggie Train

[dirtdiggin]

Well it’s time for the Veggie Seed Train to begin making its way around the country. With a couple of issues on the first train ride, I figured I would put together the rules list for the new train. It was very successful last year and I just want it to be as enjoyable for all as the last one was.

Now for the rules….

1. Last year’s Riders will have first chance to hop aboard. If you do not receive an invite from me, please PM me…in case I missed your name.

2. Riders will be added only if they have been a member of idig for 6 months or more, with a minimum of 100 posts. I will also request that any new riders will need a sponsor to become involved. We will not be adding new members to this train, once it has hit the tracks...unless it is a member who was invited and didn’t receive notification until after it was launched. Until a member is seasoned with a number of trades, we will not risk the train being derailed. This may sound harsh, but we had an unfortunate situation last year and I do not want to take the chance again as it is hard on everyone involved. *** Riders phone numbers will also be requested. This info will not travel with the box, it will remain private, with conductor.

3. When you receive the Train, you have a maximum of 3 days (less is better ) to go through it and send it on to the next rider. Please adhere to this as time frames for planting come and go quickly. We want everyone to be able to have their seeds for planting time.

4. When you mail the train, please post the Delivery Confirmation number here so we are able to track its whereabouts.

5. VERY IMPORTANT!!! This was a problem last year…Wish List bags are not free to rummage through and take from. If a rider has a wish list baggie in the box, those seeds are for the rider whose name is on the baggie. Those are not part of the train. The wish list baggies help us all to receive a little something we are looking for. You are ALL welcome to post wish lists here…I will print them out and place a baggie in the train for you.

6. A seed trade package should have enough seeds in it so that the person receiving it can grow them out and save seed from them. With low germination and even good germination, sometimes seeds just don’t sprout. Please be sure there are enough seeds in a package (typically 12-25 seeds depending on variety) so that anyone receiving that package has a chance to get the strain to maturity and save seeds from it. ***Please, when you take out seeds, only put a max of 3 pkgs of any one variety of seeds in. In other words, if you take out 8-10 pkgs of different items, don't replace it with 8-10 pkgs of all the same seeds.

7. HAVE FUN

NOTE: On Wish List Baggies….when the train gets to you, take any seeds from your wish list baggie and place the baggie back in the box. Others down the way may have your wishes. When the train lands back home, I will forward the baggies to those riders whose names are on the baggies, if there are seeds in them. You may also update your list when you receive the train, if you like.

So those are the rules and previous riders have been sent invites. So far, we have 11 riders on board. We had a great group last year and at 15 riders, it was pretty comfortable. The two boxes worked quite well and kept it exciting…with an added little bonus for those mid way…receiving the trains back to back

If there is anything I forgot, please let me know…and if you have any ideas please feel free to post them here

dd

[MVNewf]

woooohoooo_______my favorite seed train is hitting the tracks again...I have been looking forward for this train to start up again this fall...and thanks dirtdiggin for being a great "conductor", I know it is a lot of work to keep the train running smoothly

[BONSAI_OUTLAW]

Awe..Tough rules. Maybe next year. I joined in June.

It's a shame that someone out there was so inconsiderate to have made the rules so stringent.

Best of luck. I hope y'all get some great stuff.

[MVNewf]

I think the rules for the train are very considerate for all that ride the train...and posting the rules up front before the train even leaves the station gives the riders a crystal clear set of rules, and if they don't think they can comply, for all involved it is best too not ride the train....last year the train was hi-jacked, kept for weeks, and finally the rider did sent the train along, minus all the veggie seeds and replaced all the seeds with unwanted flower seeds.....I have seen more trains fall apart from the "lack of" strict rules.....even Earl has pretty strict rules for his tomato train.....and it works!!!!

[starsprouts]

I've been hearing a lot about seed trains since I came here, and I think I'd like to be involved if someone would be willing to sponsor me. Is there a good description anywhere of how, specifically, seed trains work? The search function for the site still doesn't seem to be working for me. :/

[dirtdiggin]

starsprouts, put simply, a seed train is a round robin style of trade. The conductor puts together a box aka train of seeds and sends it off to the first person on the list. That person takes their choice of seeds and replaces those seeds with other seeds. Then the train is sent on to the next person on the list and so on. It takes a great group to make a great train

[redneckplanter]

people of the world get on board the veggie train! smiles

[starsprouts]

Thanks, Dirtdiggin! That's what I kind of thought, but I wanted to be certain. Seeds saved from one's own garden or seeds packaged for 2011 would be okay, right? And now I'll stop asking questions to which everyone else probably already knows the answers.

[roper2008]

I would like to join. Let me know if I qualify.


Thanks

[MVNewf]

Dirtdiggin______can you please stress to anyone joining on the train that this is a VEGGIE ONLY TRAIN, no flower seeds....veggie's & herbs.....and a quick question for Dirtdiggin---> are "sunflower seeds" allowed on this train? Botanically speaking, sunflowers are a vegetable...I have saved many kinds of sunflower seeds from this summer, but if they are not allowed, I won't put the on the train.......