Thanks Seysonn, that's helpful. I ended up letting the ones that were further along go to seed and have started collecting seed for next year. Meanwhile, I picked all the flower buds off the ones that hadn't gone completely to seed and made a ginger-shiso-toasted sesame oil pesto with the flower buds. Pretty tasty, but the sesame oil dominated...next time I'll go with olive oil. Hopefully, we'll get a few more weeks of leaves out of the plants I de-flowered. Yes, Jim, according to Japanese sources, shiso seeds stay dormant for at least 6 months before they will germinate. Smart temperate climate annual weeds, if you ask me. Very unlike it's cousin basil that will germinate right away - perhaps partly due to more extensive history of cultivation and selection in favor of fast germination?

Hey Vivian! Just saying hi, I can't make it to that swap, as I was already going to be out of town. Hope it goes well and I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. BTW the purple hyacinth bean vines are blooming! It is so much more exciting to have success after having had failure with seeds last year. They are beautiful! Tonya

Ryan If you are driving, you'd probably want to check this nursery out. It is Hall's Plant Nursery, but in Temecula though. Personally I haven't been there yet to give any reviews but if I need another tree, I would go there first next time. They run ads on Craigslist everyday and their prices look ridiculously good. If Simon is following this thread, he can give you pointers on the farmers market. He probably knew bunch of good spots. I also agree with NEWGEN. Good quality tropical fruits are found in OC. I always buy fruits when IâÂÂm up there also. Tim Here is a link that might be useful: one of Hall's plant nursery ad on craigslist

I agree I would buy plants at this point as you haven't started tomatoes from seed before and it's getting late in the season. Starting tomatoes from seed will take about 6-8 weeks until you can plant them out, and if you're only planning on growing one in one topsy turvy...it would just be plain old easier and you'll probably be more successful if you just buy a plant. I would probably check out the container gardening forum for specific suggestions on soil mixes for your topsy turvy. If you are dead set on growing your own from seed, start with 2-3 seeds in a cup (poke drainage holes). I always start more than I think I will need because things happen and seedlings die. When they germinate, choose the strongest/biggest seedling, and then cut the tops off the others with scissors. Water from the bottom. Put the cup in a container with water in it, the mix you started the seeds in will wick moisture up into the rest of the cup. Water only when the soil is somewhat dry. I would highly suggest giving the seedlings more light than a bright window - you'll get faster growth and much stronger seedlings. Something like a shop light with "daylight" range bulbs set no more than 2" above the top of the seedling will work. Move the lights up as the seedlings grow. You'll want to repot them into larger containers as they get bigger (I use large yogurt/cottage cheese containers). Once they're at transplant size, you'll need to harden them off before transplanting outside (lots of information on how to do that here and other places). This will be about 6-8 weeks after your seed germinated. Those are the basics, there is a learning curve to it and it is some work. And why I think everyone is suggesting if you're only doing one or a couple plants at this time of year, it's much easier for you to buy one that someone else already did the work on.