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Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

OK its getting to be that time again. I have hosted this insane Giant Seed Exchange for 10 years now. Here is what it is. Each grower packages enough seed packages of something giant for the number of participants(35). Like Long Gourds,Cabbage, Watermelon, Canteloupe, Field Pumpkins, Beans, Tomatoes, Sunflowers, Corn, Onions, Beets, Swedes, or anything else odd. The catch is it can not be Atlantic Giant seeds.

You send your seeds to us. Then Chardonnay and I sort them, Box them and send them to the participants. All I ask in return is $5.00 to cover the cost of packaging and postage.

We are trying to limit the varieties so we do not have all of the same seeds to have a good variety. List what you have to contribute.

Please send your seeds to:
Shannon Engel
2513 Ricky Lane
Menomonie, WI 54751

PS you can send us your pumpkin seeds with your exchanges

10/10/2012 8:57:50 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Please do not put your name on this list if you are not going to participate. If you send us bulk seeds not in individual packages...please dont expect seeds back as you can not follow the instructions.

$5
35 individual seed packages with who from and what they are
Your return address..

If you are from outside the US extra postage is appreciated

10/10/2012 9:03:37 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

#1
Shannon Engel
Pink Porcelain Doll Pumpkins

10/10/2012 9:04:40 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Here is what it looks like when done right
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=100344

10/10/2012 9:07:17 PM

South East

#2 The cooks
giant water melon

10/10/2012 10:15:36 PM

Littleton, Colorado

#3 Mike Lee
Field Pumpkins

10/11/2012 12:12:52 AM

Mercersburg, PA

#4 Justin Lorson

tomato-3.98 or 4.78
sunflower
maybe neck pumpkin
if there is any interest in Mr. Stripey tomato i can include them--they were for sauce, but the yield was high and lots of fruit around a pound.

10/11/2012 9:39:39 AM

Thuringia/Germany

# 5 Joannis Höllein
happens: giant tomatoes, sunflowers, field pumpkin, corn varieties, Marrow, Cyclanthera padata and chili.
if they wish, including rare flower seeds

10/11/2012 10:05:55 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

#6 Andy Hamilton- long gourds,tomato, other non AG stuff

10/11/2012 4:46:17 PM

SW Ohio

#7 Susan Barber
Tall corn

10/11/2012 5:19:05 PM

Cornelius, Oregon

ooh ooh, gotta get in on this this year. #8 Brett Cooper (Hester) Count me in for Giant Squash, but let me know if that doesn't count and I'll switch. Have some accordian tomato seeds too for a back up.

10/11/2012 5:38:51 PM

Colorado

#8 joe scherber-giant pear gourds,sunflowers(for large flower) and field pumpkins

10/11/2012 5:42:28 PM

Colorado

sorry I'm #9

10/11/2012 5:47:05 PM

Bowdon, GA

10 Jake Holloway- giant canteloupe

10/11/2012 5:53:42 PM

Mount Vision, NY

#11 Sandy Houck

Gaint Warted Gourds

10/11/2012 6:16:37 PM

Alabama

#11 Hezekiah Wahl
I will try to send giant bushel gourd I have not got the seeds out yet we will see.

10/11/2012 6:18:01 PM

Alabama

sorry #12

10/11/2012 6:18:24 PM

Brittnau , Switzerland

12 Roger Rüegger
4.1 Tomatoes
75 Giant pear gourd
eggplant
giant Pepper

10/11/2012 6:20:50 PM

Massachusetts

#14 scott marley
butch t, chili's. ect...

10/11/2012 6:24:34 PM

Mass

#15 Peter Sweet Jr
Long Gourd
Field Pumpkin
Watermelon

10/11/2012 7:05:01 PM

Linden, Mi.,

#16 When I get the seeds out I can send tall sunflower and watermelon

10/11/2012 7:53:06 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Seeds need to be sent by Christmas...No Rush

10/11/2012 8:52:33 PM

50 Acres

#17 large head sunflower,ghost pepper if igetenough

10/11/2012 9:28:32 PM

El Paso TX.

#18 Lumina Pumpkins - Thai Hot ornamental Peppers - possibly Densuke Watermelons (have 2 growing now so if enough seeds to go around will include them)

10/11/2012 10:16:29 PM

Williamsburg,KY

#19 Giant Sunflower, Giant Watermelon, long gourd, extra long handle dipper gourd.
When do we send seeds?

10/12/2012 7:16:09 AM

Englehart, Ontario

#20 121 lbs pear gourd as long as seeds are good once opened and/or giant marrow.

10/12/2012 7:25:11 AM

Taylorsville, California

#21- Auston Linford-Snake gourd, giant Hubbard squash,black Cuban chilis

10/12/2012 11:13:47 AM

Jericho Vermont

#22 28 inch long bean seeds and 17" head giant sunflowers. Do I have to send you pumpkin seeds again this year Shannon?? (:

10/12/2012 12:20:14 PM

Newcastle, CA

#23 walking stick kale & rats tail radish

10/12/2012 3:45:13 PM

Alabama

VTJohn, I love the looks of your pumpkins:)

10/12/2012 4:53:05 PM

Jericho Vermont

Bell- I am blushing! thank you! If you ever wanted to try any of my crosses please fly me an email.
John

10/12/2012 7:46:13 PM

Massachusetts

pssst,ask him for the 777, just put your sunglasses on!!

10/12/2012 8:43:12 PM

churchville, ny

#24 assortment of goose neck gourd seeds

10/12/2012 8:49:53 PM

Castleton,Vermont

#25. Michael Cole from Vermont I am sending giant cantelope seeds, long gourd , and 3.98 tomato seeds and 92.5 giant field pumpkin seeds

10/12/2012 9:06:07 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

#26 Purple pod peas and red yard long beans

10/12/2012 10:11:02 PM

Western PA

#27
I am in with a:
Zucca Gourd X Long Gourd Cross
My zucca gourds crossed with my long gourds last year and I grew out that seed this year and ended up with a very meaty thick gourd, they have a fat top to them and a wide bottom, they tend curl a bit so they look pretty cool. they range in lenth from 3-6 feet and have a very large circumference.

10/12/2012 11:30:35 PM

Hot West Tennessee

#28 Tall sunflower, Watermelon and who knows what else?

10/12/2012 11:41:35 PM

Putnam Ct.

#29 - 144# bushel gourd , giant pear gourd ,long gourd, watermelon.

10/13/2012 6:29:10 AM

Bethlehem CT

#30 Jala maize

10/13/2012 7:57:10 AM

Central Connecticut

#31 Large Sweet Italian peppers.

These seeds were started from a pepper I had on a trip to Italy. These peppers are huge, Larger than the Giant Marconi I have grown.

10/13/2012 9:57:36 PM

Cornwall UK

#32 David Thomas, I'm in with seed from my 75.2lb Rutabaga/Swede

10/14/2012 7:48:02 AM

SE Minnesota

#33 Jim Courson African Kettl Gourd 78lb...assuming good seeds

10/14/2012 9:24:04 AM

beezr mountain CO

#34 Mike Bieser 22''sunflower, 3.70 tomato, a few ghost
and outher hot peppers

10/14/2012 10:32:47 AM

Linwood, NC

#35
Brad Holder
Giant watermelon seeds, pie pumpkin seeds, 12"-18" head sunflower seeds

10/14/2012 12:34:23 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

OK Thats 35...You may place your name below as back ups in case anyone backs out...Only took 4 days to fill up that was fast

10/14/2012 1:42:57 PM

Ontario

Dang, guess I should check in a little more often...

#36 Bryan Mailey, Watermelon, Long Gourd

10/15/2012 9:53:44 AM

President - GPC

#37 The WiZ. - Giant Marrow, Bi-color pumpkin gourd

10/15/2012 10:03:27 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Well Bryan you are in luck..I just remembered if there are 35 participants that means 36 exchanges unless you like receiving your own seed back

10/15/2012 10:03:51 AM

Ontario

Awesome Shannon!! Thanks so much!!!

10/15/2012 6:30:30 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

back up, Marty Schnicker Giant onion seeds

10/16/2012 9:46:01 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Oh crap, missed it!

Back up #2, Dan Boelman: Mercador maize (Tall Corn)

10/17/2012 3:39:26 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Dang. Had some giant beet seeds!

10/23/2012 4:03:30 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Please put me in as a back up #3. . . Giant Beet

10/26/2012 9:57:32 PM

Mercersburg, PA

i move that we let giant beet seed in...

10/30/2012 12:50:54 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If all agree we make it 40 it can happen..all participants must agree.
I have
#37 Giant Marrow from WIZ
#38 Giant Cabbage from John Roberts
#39 Giant Onions from Marty
#40 Giant Corn from Dan Boelman
#41 Giant Beets from Erin

If participants have already sent their seeds we will distribute what we the send, no matter what way you look at it it is a great seed selection like no other in the world

10/30/2012 1:14:49 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

No more than 40...otherwise it becomes work

10/30/2012 1:15:13 PM

El Paso TX.

40 is fine here - will be sending them in a couple weeks once the Lumina pumpkin seeds finish drying !

10/30/2012 2:46:58 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

good here

10/30/2012 2:48:46 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Thanks Shannon!

10/30/2012 4:39:22 PM

Massachusetts

yup

10/30/2012 5:14:54 PM

Mass

Ok 5 more labels it is.

10/30/2012 5:34:41 PM

Alabama

Good here, will send as soon as there dry.

10/30/2012 7:20:16 PM

Castleton,Vermont

sounds good to me

10/30/2012 11:08:40 PM

Littleton, Colorado

5 more is OK with me

10/30/2012 11:50:20 PM

Ontario

Sounds good here

10/31/2012 6:58:51 AM

Englehart, Ontario

Good with me

10/31/2012 7:33:48 AM

SE Minnesota

no problem here

10/31/2012 6:02:41 PM

50 Acres

Good with me.

10/31/2012 9:52:44 PM

Williamsburg,KY

I agree, will send once I hear everyone is sending.

11/1/2012 8:40:10 AM

beezr mountain CO

sounds great

11/1/2012 1:22:29 PM

Cornwall UK

No problem with me.

11/1/2012 2:29:03 PM

Bowdon, GA

sure

11/1/2012 9:44:13 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Sounds good

11/1/2012 11:39:01 PM

Newcastle, CA

Sounds great

11/2/2012 12:09:46 AM

Taylorsville, California

Yup

11/2/2012 10:50:07 AM

Bethlehem CT

Sounds good.

11/2/2012 12:31:28 PM

Mercersburg, PA

good. looks like the motion will be carried.

11/2/2012 1:39:19 PM

SW Ohio

I've already sent my seed in. Do you need me to send more?

11/2/2012 2:27:12 PM

Western PA

40 sounds good to me.

11/2/2012 6:18:38 PM

Linden, Mi.,

ok

11/2/2012 7:46:24 PM

Mount Vision, NY

No problem here. The more the merrier.

11/3/2012 6:27:08 AM

Putnam Ct.

ok

11/3/2012 8:28:48 AM

churchville, ny

Sounds good!

11/3/2012 2:29:36 PM

Thuringia/Germany

each time!

11/3/2012 3:33:12 PM

Central Connecticut

fine with me...

11/5/2012 12:39:01 PM

President - GPC

FIne by me and thanks\

11/5/2012 12:55:27 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

Thanks Shannon, Just got Kelsae onion seeds out of dried blossoms to send.

11/8/2012 8:11:54 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Sent mine in yesterday Shannon, and a few extras.

11/8/2012 9:29:09 PM

Linden, Mi.,

seeds go ouy Wed. or Thursday, this week

11/13/2012 6:54:57 PM

Linden, Mi.,

out

11/13/2012 6:57:49 PM

Massachusetts

all seeds to everyone out wed. shannon,norm,andy,west,ect..
shannon i put 42 in , just in case some get lost in the mail..... scott.

11/13/2012 7:18:58 PM

Massachusetts

note to self: do not rub eyes when packaging scorpian seeds!

11/13/2012 7:24:53 PM

El Paso TX.

Got more baggies at Walmart today and seeds are almost ready so will be sending out by the weekend !

@marley -- just be glad you didn't visit the restroom during the process !

11/13/2012 9:22:46 PM

El Paso TX.

Sent out this morning Tracking #03121430000171611094 -- should be there on Monday. Thanks again for organizing this exchange and the chance to participate.

For those new to the exchange and wondering how to organize them Here is a pic of how I did mine ready to be placed in the box and sent : ( http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc189/JDFanning_bucket/veggieexchange2012001.jpg )

I put each type of seed in a seed bag (walmart has 100 bags for $1 so needed 2 sets for the 120 packs (40x3)and have extras for my seeds)labeled with pic and description (laser printer makes this the easiest way to label) then placed those into a larger pack ( Walmart had them @ $2 for 100 - only needed 40 so have extras left) Did this so it is easier on Shannon and team to repack the 40 sets rather than 120 small packs.

Placed in box with $5 return postage and return shipping labels (did this because last years got sent to Sundown street instead of Sundance and was lost at the local P.O. for a few weeks !) - figure with 40 labels to write out anything to reduce chance of error helps ! Taped shut and went to ship.

11/16/2012 2:19:49 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Thanks for the tutorial John. It really is easy to do if you follow those instructions. When the seeds come in they go into the spreadsheet, and placed in the seed room. Hmmm wonder if Jodi knows the downstairs office is the seed room yet :) We lay out the 40 boxes and put the seeds in.

11/16/2012 2:55:19 PM

Minnesota

If you somehow have a extra package you want to sell after its finished I'm interested in buying it.

11/16/2012 4:43:14 PM

Littleton, Colorado

seeds went out Wednesday

11/16/2012 9:54:58 PM

Reed Point Montana

i have giant carrot and cylindra beet seed i can send if its still possible for me to get in.

11/26/2012 3:22:11 AM

Thuringia/Germany

Bubble sent today.

11/26/2012 7:57:31 AM

Castleton,Vermont

Seeds sent on friday should get them in a couple days !!!!!

12/2/2012 10:22:57 PM

Linden, Mi.,

I did not get an e/mail, letting me know if you received the seeds. Did you receive them ?

12/3/2012 7:13:08 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Darrell We Got your seeds..We are a little over half way there with participants...Keep them coming so we can get the sent out at Christmas

12/3/2012 8:50:50 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Thanks, feel better now, knowing.

12/3/2012 9:21:22 PM

El Paso TX.

@tallcorn - Know the feeling - that's why I went ahead and paid the $0.85 for delivery confirmation definitely worth it to be able to track the progress and see that it gets there !

12/3/2012 10:52:47 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The problem is I dont know your email addresses and a lot of you this year are new and I have not got names down with nick names yet.

12/4/2012 6:25:10 AM

Linden, Mi.,

Linus,
My bad, I was sure I added it along with my address. Sorry

12/4/2012 9:45:27 AM

Bowdon, GA

Going to send mine friday

12/5/2012 12:32:00 AM

Brittnau , Switzerland

seeds ar on the way

12/5/2012 8:21:26 AM

Colorado

Ill have mine done in the next 10 days lgs arent quite dry

12/5/2012 2:24:07 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Working on mine Shannon, will get out in a few days.

12/5/2012 5:26:06 PM

Mercersburg, PA

mine are in the mail

12/7/2012 7:13:55 AM

Western PA

Sent mine in today, priority mail with delivery confirmation.

12/7/2012 7:12:41 PM

Bowdon, GA

Mine are in the mail too

12/7/2012 8:14:03 PM

Castleton,Vermont

Did you receive mine yet ???? They were sent out last week .I changed my screen name from BIG PAPI to VT MIKE just a heads up . Please let me know ty

12/7/2012 10:23:36 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Got them on the list Mike

12/8/2012 9:35:06 AM

Castleton,Vermont

Thanks !!!!!

12/8/2012 11:05:20 PM

Alabama

You got mine alright?

12/12/2012 11:56:52 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

We are waiting for the following seed packs yet. I have a method to my madness...so please get them sent out

Jim Courson
Stevan Fraley
Chris Fasciano
Auston Linford
Brad Holder
Brett Cooper
Bryan Mailey,
Eddy Z
Gary Grande
joe scherber

If your name is on this list and you think it shouldn't be let me know

12/14/2012 9:08:23 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Shannon,I mailed mine on Thursday. Stevann

12/15/2012 7:16:53 AM

Ontario

Mailed out last Wednesday Shannon

12/15/2012 6:19:06 PM

SE Minnesota

Shannon did you get mine by chance? thanks
Jim

12/22/2012 7:07:23 PM

Central Connecticut

Mine went out on the 17th.
Chris

12/23/2012 10:51:29 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Jim and Chris yours have arrived

12/23/2012 3:17:01 PM

Colorado

Mine went out a week ago

12/23/2012 6:27:24 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Joe yours have arrived..All others I hope the arrive by Friday...because thats when I am shipping them out.

12/23/2012 10:57:00 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Austin
Brad
Brett
Gary

We are waiting for you :)

12/23/2012 11:05:29 PM

Taylorsville, California

Mine are in mail Shannon, you should have them tomorrow.

Auston

12/27/2012 3:33:56 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

You missed it Auston...They are already gone. We have a couple extra..So I will give you one of those. We will probably have a couple more extra to sell to cover the extra postage and packaging this year. Some did not include return postage :(

12/27/2012 7:10:42 PM

Massachusetts

shannon, thanks for all you do, your seed exchange must be a headache, with people who forget the $5.00, or send you seed in bulk, what a chore it must be to package up seeds as i know you did last year, please keep this seed exchange going, you will always get a few who do not read directions, :(

12/27/2012 8:35:53 PM

President - GPC

Shipped mine out last week before XMAS. Did they not arrive?

12/28/2012 9:34:17 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Gary they arrived

12/28/2012 4:08:26 PM

Linwood, NC

Shannon, sorry my seeds didnt make it to you. I was under the impression that they had to be there by 1/1/13. I've been held up down in Texas doing work, so I was going to rush send them this week. Sorry if I messed up your exchange, but work called.

12/30/2012 5:34:12 PM

Mount Vision, NY

Package arrived today. Many thanks to Shannon and Chardonnay for putting this together and many thanks to the participants. Lots of cool stuff. Best of luck growing in 2013 to all!

1/2/2013 6:59:29 PM