If anyone is following my mint is already smelling a bit stronger. Boy was I off. I noticed a few leaves that were soft but off white at the base of the plant. I also went back to the nursery and looked at there older mint pants. Mine was a decidedly lighter green..."grass green" actually. So after thinking and reading what I discovered was a BIG newbie error. A lot of people up here use coffee grounds in their gardens. I didn't realize (since no one included this step) that you have to compost it for several months first. So I had a pretty heavy potting mix that I mixed with a few big handfuls of well rinsed coffee grounds as a "slow release" nitrogen fertilizer. No. Noncomposted grounds start breaking down and leech nitrogen. My poor mint was suffering from nitrogen deficiency. Instead of doing 1/4 strength 10/10/10 every other watering or no fertilizer the past time I watered it at full strength and after 4 days or so it has improved already. I will water it with full strength 10/10/10 (ie per directions) one more time and if it keeps smelling better I will yank it out of the pot, shake off some of the coffee impregnated dirt and re pot with some other soil I have here.

Lemon balm, which the plant does look like, has a lemony smell and taste - though some say it is more like lemon pledge than lemons! That is one of its most identifiable characteristics. My lemon balm (which comes up in mounds like this) is about at the same stage right now. FataMorgana

There are LOTS of different versions, some use simple syrup instead of confectioners' sugar, some use regular granular sugar...using it to muddle with the mint to bruise it and release it flavor. But here's one. SOUTHERN MINT JULEP 2 sprigs fresh mint 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup ice, crushed 1 1/2 ounces bourbon 1 sprig fresh mint 1. Place mint in blender; add water and sugar. 2. Blend until leaves disappear, add ice and bourbon; blend a few seconds. 3. Pour into frosted glass or julep cup which has been filled with finely chopped ice. 4. Stir and decorate with a sprig of mint. 5. Serves 1. 6. Note: Serve with a short straw that is no taller than the mint, so one enjoys the aroma as well as the taste.

Steve, I don't understand why you are using trellis's. None of the herbs you have have vining tendencies. If you are using the trellises for support, I'd recommend trimming back the plants instead to put more energy into making roots and filling out the plants themself. If you don't mind what the pots look like think of recycling 2 liter soda bottles, gallon jugs with the tops cut off or anything slightly resembling a gallon size pot and poke 4-5 1/4" or 1/2" holes in the bottom for drainage. If you have a recylcing center near by I've never found one that doesn't mind you going through it for containers (this is from experience) and they are free. Yard sales are another great source of cheap pots, I just bought a barrel, square plastic patio container and a 3 gal foam planter for $3 (don't be afraid to bargain...they were asking $5 for 2 of the pots and got them for $2. But do save your money and use a soil less potting mix preferably without fertilizer (the fertilizer washes out after a couple of waterings anyway). Daisy, I disagree with keeping the soil permanently moist. This may be so until and only until the plants are established, once the roots have developed enough that the plant is thriving allow to dryout between waterings. Many an herb has died from over watering, herbs prefer the soil to dryout between watering.