I have a few varieties of mints and several varieties of basils and a few other herbs. I am very interested in expanding my mint and basil collections. I don't have seeds for every variety of plant I have at the moment. However I do know how to ship cuttings. I just prefer to get them rooting first. If you have any uncommon mints or basils, comfrey, woodruff, elder tree, yarrow.. well you get the idea. Check the lists for more detailed information on what I have and am looking for. I'm going to a plant sale Oct. 1 in Lecanto, FL too so if there's something special you want in trade that I don't have let me know and I'll see if I can't pick some up while I'm there! Thank you in advance!

Dirt can have many meanings. The dirt in my area certainly is not loam but mostly clay. We have to really work to get loamy soil. Loam drains well, holds water and is loose, dark, and airy. Any ingredients should be free of disease. Dirt is not a good choice for potting mixes. Most professionals use a variation of the "Cornell Mix" Peat, perlite, vermiculite, lime. It is free of disease (sterile), drains well, holds water, and has plenty of air pockets. Sand makes the mix heavy so perlite is substituted where weight might be an issue. Leaf mould is more variable than peat ie the quality can be inconsistent from batch to batch. Composts in general can add its own problems as outlined in the link in my last post.

Carol, here's the recipe and the person I originally copied from. If you read the recipe, there's no mention of what to do with the basil! :-) And of course, I would BWB process. Thai Basil Pepper Jelly/ Submitted by: chemprof This is good as: an appetizer when spread over cream cheese or goat cheese and served with crackers or toasted bread rounds or a condiment with pork or lamb (or even chicken!). This recipe is adapted from one called "Walt's Habanero Jelly" which can be found in various places on the net including "recipesource.com". 2 c chopped red and yellow bell pepper 1 c fresh thai basil leaves 1-1/2 c vinegar (1/2 & 1/2) rice wine and cider 5 c sugar 1 T lime or lemon juice 5Â15 habanero chiles (orange and/or red) 1 tsp butter 1 pkg pectin (powder, sure-jell) Prepare jelly jars according to directions (wash w/ hot soapy water, sterilize lids by pouring boiling water over). I like to use the little 1/2 cup jars. Seed and stem bell peppers, chop finely. CAREFULLY seed and stem habanero peppers (I highly recommend you wear a mask and gloves when you do this...these are the most toxic things I have worked with outside the lab!). Chop finely (I use a small food processor/chopper for this). Measure sugar into a bowl. Place the chiles, bell peppers, dry pectin, vinegar and butter in a large stainless steel pot. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar immediately, return to a rolling boil and boil exactly one minute. Remove from heat and fill prepared jelly jars. Wipe rims with damp cloth, cover with lid and screw on bands tightly. Invert for 5 minutes then turn over and let cool slowly. After jars are cool check seals by pressing top of jars. If lid springs up, jar is not sealed (But can be kept in fridge!). I shake these occasionally as they cool to distribute the peppers so it looks nice. Tastes just as good if you don't and just stir before serving. ;-) Variations: You can use from 5-15 habaneros, depending on how much heat you want! I usually use about 10. I have made rosemary by subbing about 1/4-1/2 cups of chopped rosemary leaves. You might want to use all cider vinegar for that version.

thankyou guys for replying quickly! thats realy awesome! okay let me try to give more details(i'll try not to wright a novel again). when we brought the plants home we put aprox 2/3rd potting soil in the container made a hole in the middle, loosend the root ball, place in the hole, add some more potting mix and firmed lightly and gave a generous 1st watering. the pots are 8" and oh 12" high. 2 weeks ago though we started having a heat wave. when the wife and I got home from some galavanting the thai basils were all droopy i gave them a good watering and they perked up again within 1 1/2 hrs. after that is when the problems started. the pots have holes in the bottom and after i water i elevate 1 bottom side to make sure enough water drains. if you need more info just let me know! thanks :)