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Dave’s Garden has grown, and grown, and grown… and every year newcomers to our site come across a reference to a “Roundup” and wonder what it is, if it isn’t the weed-killer. In a nutshell, a DG Roundup is a gathering of gardeners for the express purposes of swapping plants, meeting fellow gardeners and breaking bread together.
But, how did that ‘ DG tradition’ ever start in the first place? Back in those days we were all newbies to a newbie gardening site and few, if any, of us knew one another except as screen names on the site. Oh, sure… we swapped plants by mail but that was about all the personal interaction there was. Then our beloved Roadrunner, Jo, posted that she was coming from Arizona in the summer to visit her son and his family in Crossville, Tennessee. She wondered if any of us lived close enough to get together for lunch on a Saturday. Well, Katie, bar the door!
As many members began to answer Jo's invitation, that small luncheon became like Prissy in Gone with the Wind, and just grew. Not many of us lived close enough for a day trip so we began looking for motels, but some folks had RV’s and some folks had tents. Keith and Donna (Jo's son and daughter-in-law) finally located a new small facility (Rockytop) that had a few rooms to rent, plus spaces for tents and RV hookups down by the lake and bath houses, and a large new community building. They both worked very hard to help make the first RU happen. In fact, we all did!
Well, if we are all gonna stay overnight somewhere, how ‘bout a community meal? Or two? And, since we are all gardeners, how about if we bring some extra plants to swap on that Saturday morning? Since not everyone can come early enough for a Friday night cookout, let’s move it to Saturday afternoon after the plant swap. Oh, there will be kids (and dogs) so let’s plan some fun things for them too. Maybe a campfire after dinner, with music and storytelling? Since the volunteer cooks will be busy all afternoon after the plant swap, what if we schedule some fun things for the adults and kids inside during the afternoon heat?
We ended up with 70+ folks attending for the events covering Friday through Sunday. Members (we had no subscriptions back then when DG was small) came from as far away as Texas and New England. All the Admins came… Dave and Trish came separately so someone would be home during the afternoon, and Terry came with her DH. Most of the members attending (we have lost only a few) are still members: Roadrunner, her son Keith and DIL Donna (TnMom)), Vic and DH Hank, GrannyLois and her dear departed DH Michael, Elena and DH Al, Mystic, Melody, Yardbird and DH Lamar, Azalea and DH Doug, Badseed and her (then just 5) daughters, Gardenwife and Howie, Horseshoe and his daughter Alex, GeorgiaRedClay and his DW Bobbie, Calalily, JustDot, Iris, me, and I’m sure I have left some out.
There were group classes on propagation led by Calalily, a macramé class and a cornhusk doll class taught by Melody, and Smilin’32 and Flowox taught some craft classes. Carol7 and Vic organized steaks on the grill for our big meal together and EVERYONE brought side dishes. There is no act more social than sharing food (breaking bread) although sharing plants is right up there, too. Wow, what a feast we had!
I have to tell you that having the main meal looked very iffy for a bit. The community building was so new that there were NO tables and chairs yet, just several large refrigerators. The owners brought in several truckloads of new tables and folding chairs just as our steaks were cooking!
Many folks donated door prizes and Jo drew numbers. I think every person received 2 or 3 door prizes. Someone, probably Gardenwife, the made poster-sized individual letters for each of us to hold for a group snapshot, and she and our very own Dave took group photos. Kimberly also made Memory/autograph books for everyone.
The evening festivities included Horseshoe playing his guitar and singing about his “Size 10’s” around the campfire and telling some tall tales for the youngsters and adults alike. After that we had a sing-along and Elena made songbooks with the words to many songs. She and her DH also brought some guitar-playing friends.
The weather was beautiful, the plants were beautiful, and even the people were beautiful!
Photo Credits: Thanks to Dave, Gardenwife, Horseshoe, Melody, Mystic, JustDot and GrannyLois for all the great shots!
About Darius Van d'Rhys
I have a 'growing my own food' obsession that grew out of my overlapping interests in cooking, nutrition and gardening. I am also a teacher (but outside the System), a writer, and a builder… and a craftsperson and... and… and many other things, LOL. In fact, I guess I am a generalist.
I live in the southern Appalachian Mountains on a hillside with a creek in front and drive a 15 year old truck I lovingly call “My Farmer’s Ferrari.”
Posted by Kathleen (from Panama, NY) on May 14, 2008 at 8:34 AM:
But at least I got to a couple later Round-ups and got to meet you face to face and break some rolls!
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 14, 2008 at 8:40 AM:
LOL, and the best rolls I ever ate!
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:52 PM:
Darius...you would love to sit on Kathleen's front porch swing in NY...I did!! Jo
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Subject: The Tradition Continues.
Posted by frostweed (from Arlington, TX) on May 14, 2008 at 8:31 AM:
We love Roundups around here too, as a matter of fact I think we are addicted to them.
Such a wonderful way to meet fellow gardeners, share plants and make good friends.
Thank you for starting this tradition.
Here is a picture of our last group in Waxahachi, Tx.
Josephine.
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 14, 2008 at 8:33 AM:
Thanks... they DO get into our blood, don't they? Who ever would have thought that a bunch of gardeners unknown to each other could have such good times and come away with new friendships?
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Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on May 14, 2008 at 9:14 AM:
Oh, Darius, that was wonderful! :-) I would have loved to have been there. As Josephine says, the tradition continues, and the DG RU I'm going to this year is a highlight of my summer. Great job! Thank you for the history of roundups and taking us back to visit it with you.
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Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on May 14, 2008 at 11:47 AM:
Or that one gardener would invite another to spend a week at her house. DH and I went to Braveheartsmom and stayed a week this last Feb. To top it off, AlohaHoya flew over to Maui from the Big Island just to meet us. RJuddharrison hosted IslandShari and her DH plus Texasgal77 and her son last November. RJ recently came for the weekend so we could attend the Waxahachie RU. Mitch and Broncbuster live close and are frequent visitors. A year ago, I had not even met any of these people yet. Now they are FAMILY.
Still hope for that Big Event someday.
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:51 PM:
I will be attending the Calif. RU in Temecula...and since my DGD, ezlivin, is out to sea I was invited to stay with SoCal....whom I have visisted before...I have stayed with Elena...and once...Callilily, Carol7 and I went touring to Maine...we were gone 10 days and stayed in motels 3 nights....the rest we were invited to stop over with such wonderful DG'ers we had never met.
Jo
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Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on May 21, 2008 at 2:35 PM:
Howie and I had a great time with Jo, Calalily and Carol7 when they came through town. And we stayed with Justmelisa and family over thanksgiving in 2003, I think. They're some of the most genuine, funny and warm people you'll ever meet. And now they're in Kentucky so we can see them at the roundups. :D :D
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Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on May 21, 2008 at 2:52 PM:
A person who loves a garden can harbor no malice in their hearts. We are made to love each other.
Ever think about how God put Adam and Eve in a garden? His most precious creations in His garden. Boy! Did they ever mess it up!!!
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Posted by Melineke (from Dubuque, IA) on May 23, 2008 at 10:01 AM:
I live in Dubuque Iowa. Is there a Garden club here and a round up that anyone knows about? if someone can help , thanks. Lyn
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 23, 2008 at 10:08 AM:
Yes, there's an Iowa Roundup but I think you missed it for this year. All the roundups are posted here, top thread (sticky):
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
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Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on May 23, 2008 at 10:13 AM:
Melineke, I know Ponditis has been to roundups and she lives in Iowa. This is her member page if you want to zap her a Dmail and ask. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
I think the Upper Midwest gardening forum covers your neck of the woods if you want to hook up with local DG folks:
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
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Subject: Wonderful -
Posted by MitchF (from Oklahoma City, OK) on May 14, 2008 at 7:55 AM:
Love the way you starting gettin Round Ups out there - and I cannot wait for more articles on Round Ups!
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Posted by Wvdaisy (from Buffalo, WV) on May 14, 2008 at 8:33 AM:
I remember the first RU! I didn't make it there though I desperately wanted to. I remember all the discussion, finding places to stay, then the afterwards pictures and talk of all the fun. I'll be going to the Ohio River Valley Gardening RU in June, my second year going and I love it!
Lana
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on May 14, 2008 at 9:16 AM:
Gosh - I've been going to every event in New England ever since I stumbled across DG in 2005, and these traditions are wonderful! Beautiful article!
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Posted by art_n_garden (from Colorado Springs, CO) on May 14, 2008 at 9:42 AM:
Great article darius!! Made me feel like I was there, too.
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Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on May 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM:
It's a wonderful article!
I remember the big basket of peaches that you brought Darius. They were great!
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Posted by marieortiz (from Tolleson, AZ) on May 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM:
Awesome article!! Thanks for updating those of us who joined later. I always wondered how it all started!! Ia m headed off to the one in California next month. Never in my life did I imagine that i would travel to a different state to attend an event with people I have never met accept online.
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on May 14, 2008 at 10:27 AM:
You will love it, Marie!!!
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 14, 2008 at 12:07 PM:
Thanks, everyone... I had a good time doing the article too... it took me back to that wonderful weekend, several times over!
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 14, 2008 at 6:46 PM:
It was a wonderful week end...does anyone remember when Badseeds little girls got in the mud at the edge of the lake? A lot of DG'ers helping to "rinse off a kid".
Let's do it again!!! Jo
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Posted by Wvdaisy (from Buffalo, WV) on May 14, 2008 at 8:04 PM:
Chele's kids wouldn't do that! :~D
Lana
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Posted by rednyr (from Newberry, SC) on May 14, 2008 at 8:21 PM:
I can't wait for more round ups and meeting so many great folks like we just did at the Appalacian round up....and getting a Biscotti recipe truly made my day....another fantastic article Darius!
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on May 14, 2008 at 9:08 PM:
Almost like being there....
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Posted by Badseed (from Lynchburg, OH) on May 16, 2008 at 9:22 PM:
I remember dear Hank showing my kids the water! LOL Thank goodness Jazzi was too little to go!
Thanks for the memories Darius! That was a wonderful weekend indeed!
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Posted by gardenwife (from Newark, OH) on May 20, 2008 at 9:13 AM:
Mel, I thought about those peaches, too! Mmmmmm. :)
I can't believe Alex (Horseshoe's DD) was so little. She's such a beautiful young woman now. Has it really been six years?!
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 20, 2008 at 9:25 AM:
I sure wish I could get peaches like that up here in SW Virginia... probably have to drive to the huge commercial farmer's market in Asheville, 2-1/2 hours' away. I don't think I've had a good peach since that RU!
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Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on May 24, 2008 at 8:28 PM:
My goodness~! I just now came across this article, Darius!
Thanks for bringing back the wonderful memories! No doubt about it that was one of the best times we'll all remember. Great friendship and camaraderie, great laughter and smiles, lots of plants traded, great food and drink, well... the list goes on.
It was as if we all really knew each other for years and were right at home.
We tent-camped, with GW and Howie next to us, and at the end of the first day (or rather night!) a mockingbird was so happy at our get-together it sang til the wee hours of the morning (at least 17 different songs)! Quite a gathering, eh?
We all left there knowing, without a doubt, we'd all do it again. And so it began, DG RoundUps. Ain't nuttin' like 'em!
Thanks again, Darius.
Shoe
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 24, 2008 at 9:16 PM:
And Shoe...I can still hear you singing to me...."SIZE 10"...that's when I fell in love with you...LOL Jo
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Posted by Badseed (from Lynchburg, OH) on May 24, 2008 at 9:20 PM:
JO! He was singing to ME! All this time, you coveted the man that was singing my song? LOL
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 24, 2008 at 9:55 PM:
He did sing part of it to you...as he promised that he would stand on one foot, play the guitar, and sing if you would come to the RU...Then when he got to the part of the gals Father...he used my name....Heehehe...Jo
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Posted by Badseed (from Lynchburg, OH) on May 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM:
OH my! Then I guess we must continue to share him. ;)
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 24, 2008 at 10:55 PM:
Yep....LOL Jo
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Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on May 25, 2008 at 12:49 AM:
Y'all are certifiable! (But cute!)
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Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on May 25, 2008 at 10:49 AM:
*thunk...
(Hey, somebody come help pick me up. I musta got the vapors or sumpin')
:>)
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Posted by Badseed (from Lynchburg, OH) on May 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM:
Watch him swoon girls, watch him swoon. :)
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Posted by roadrunner (from Hereford, AZ) on May 25, 2008 at 4:08 PM:
Stay down for the count, Shoe Darlin. Jo
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Posted by Horseshoe (from Efland, NC) on May 25, 2008 at 11:06 PM:
Ya'll behave!
Hope to see ya at the next RoundUp!
Shoe
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Subject: Real Nice
Posted by phicks (from Lakeland, FL) on May 14, 2008 at 7:46 AM:
That Was a Great Article Bet It Was Fun To Paul
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Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on May 14, 2008 at 12:35 PM:
I bet that was fun! Good to see.
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Posted by LindaCA (from Concord, CA) on May 14, 2008 at 4:45 PM:
That sounds like the most fun. Wish I was there(didn't know about DG then)
Linda
Roadrunner, Jo, posted that she was coming from Arizona in the summer to visit her son and his family in Crossville, 
Tennessee. She wondered if any of us lived close enough to get together for lunch on a Saturday.
community building. They both worked very hard to help make the first RU happen. In fact, we all did!
and his daughter Alex, GeorgiaRedClay and his DW Bobbie, Calalily, JustDot, Iris, me, and I’m sure I have left some out. 
just as our steaks were cooking! 
The evening festivities included Horseshoe playing his guitar and singing about his “Size 10’s” around the campfire and telling some tall tales for the youngsters and adults alike. After that we had a sing-along and Elena made songbooks with the words to many songs. She and her DH also brought some guitar-playing friends.
