Sorry, I have been running around lately getting supplies and selling plants. A change of venue worked wonders. Canal Winchester 7/11/2012 5-7P.M. $8 total (4 plants for $2 each, sold as a 2 for 1 deal) Bexley 7/18/2012 4-7P.M. $108 total ($4 freshly cut plant, 12 plants for $5, and a bulk sale to the health store of 11 plants for $4 per plant) I sold several plants to a local natural market /co-op health store for $4 per plant. They also hold a farmer's market on Wednesdays, and I sold potted plants for $5 per pot. Finally, I sold a freshly cut anise/licorice (?) basil for $4. One of my fellow vendors at the first farmer's market suggested that I should try the Bexley locale; I actually met him first at the yard sale earlier this summer. He also started this year, but he grows peppers, tomatoes, oregano, thyme, etc. He always charges $5 for each mature potted basil plant, but I was desperate for a sale in Canal Winchester and dropped my prices too low when I noticed no one was buying. I also confirmed that basil likes deeper pots vs. wider ones (assuming same volume of media). I have many varieties, so the intense purple ones sold out first and then the sweet mammoth and Thai Siam Queen. A few sweet and Italian Large leaf ones were also gone by 7:00P.M. The lemon and lime varieties were not as popular since many people have them already. Indeed, many people already told me they have tons of basil and can't turn it all into pesto, but many of the people that bought plants from me told me they have a few other big plants in their gardens. I have concluded that people who really love basil and can afford it (in terms of sunny window or space in the garden) will collect different varieties. Additionally, I started growing more of a rare basil from organic seed as there seems to be a market for the dried leaf for medicinal purposes.

Hello, I am new to this forum and wanted some ideas for some of the materials I need for an organic herb business I am starting from my home. Please forgive the long post. I wanted to know if anyone knew where I could purchase growing media locally (around Columbus, OH) in bulk for herbs. At the moment, I am just growing basil, to make pesto until the end of time. I have bought a few thousand plastic containers to supply nurseries and local garden centers. These I fortunately got in bulk at a reasonable price per unit, and I wanted to do the same with the growing media. I am looking at 150 cubic feet of growing media for my basil crop. I have already grown around 600 plants (about 18 different basil varieties - some were not too hardy) in custom mixes, Organic Choice (Miracle Gro), and Pro-Mix. Eventually, I want to plant my other 50 varieties. I started in late March and am still doing research with books from the public library and the help of Google and youtube while I get the hang of this. Pro-mix has given me the healthiest-looking and fastest-growing plants, so I would like to keep using it, or a similar mix I can make on my own (my back just wants to spasm when I think about that). Also, Miracle Gro had too many large pieces of bark and sticks that were a nightmare for seeding, so I want to avoid it if possible. Local retailers, like Straders, charge about $17 for 2.5 cubic feet of Pro-Mix with Mycorrhizae or the less cost-effective $29 for a 3.8 ft^3 bale. I will try a few other distributors today, but it seems that most function exclusively as wholesalers. Their retailers also have a two to three week lead time, which shortens my growing season. Online I read about farmer's supply stores in other states, but who do I contact here? Although I have plans to eventually bring a few hundred of my plants indoors (unused portions of the garage and basement - I can purchase the remaining grow lights and shelving units with relative ease) to endure the cold winter ahead and get a head start next year, I want to get as many started in the sun room and the backyard now while it is still warm. I would appreciate any advice on who to contact in order to purchase the following: CHOICE A *150 cubic feet of Pro-Mix� HP Mycorrhizae� (this one has more perlite than the one I have used, but this may be more suitable for me as it has been raining frequently lately and currently I have set out most of the pots in the backyard) CHOICE B (my poor imitation of CHOICE A) *100 cubic feet of peat moss or coconut coir (or cocopeat?) *50 cubic feet of perlite (horticultural grade or any other suitable *Sufficient wetting agent (Yucca extract or biodegradable polymers) compatible with organic crops *Sufficient Mycorrhizae inoculate (endomycorrhizal fungi, such as, Glomus intraradices) *Sufficient dolomitic lime (or similar pH adjuster) *Sufficient organic seaweed fertilizer (or similar product) for at least 4 applications (once per month) My goal is to get each cubic foot of growing media, either custom-made or professional grade, costing me no more than $4 per cubic foot. This must include taxes and freight shipping (or me just driving back and forth to pick it up 100 miles away with my brother's help). Again, I would appreciate any helpful suggestions, and I will keep searching online and asking local merchants if they can work out a large order deal (or free shipping).

Hi Linda A fledgling should completely shed its spots by the time it is 90 days old. I had one last year that completed the molt by the time she was 75 days. My birds hang around all winter and the adult male behaves just as yours does. He pecks at anyone, including the adult female, that dares try to eat before he is finished. Today is a sad day here. Papa has begun chasing the fledglings away prior to the start of this year's nesting season. He is guarding the nest box and the meal worm feeder and even a bowl of blueberries I put out for them. They apparently are hungry and every now and then one will sneak into the cage feeder where the meal worms are. Here is what happened when the adult female tried it a little while ago. Finally, she broke away with him pecking at her all the way out of the cage. As she flew up on the top of the feeder, he tried to get her again.. But the ironic thing is that in 2 or 3 weeks he will be bringing her meal worms. Hope you continue to feel stronger and have less pain. Dave

Mine are just like your first picture today. Still peeking out when i came in, How long do they do that before they go? I thought they'd be gone today, but there is still at least one in there, I had 5 (I think)I wish I had seen at least one go, but I didn't, and probablyby the time I get home tomorrow nite from work, they'll be gone. Do I take the nest out, same as Bluebirds?