What Herbs do you like for Teas??

dees - have you been able to grow a stevia in the house?
What was the weather like when you planted your stevia outdoors?

Thanks for the excellent links, mermaid. Now I'm thinking a small raised bed (I have sandy loam) under a tree -- of course I'll have to plant the tree...

But I'm getting some pear trees in the fall from National Arbor Day, and when they're giving some shade ( it won't be next year) maybe that would be a good place to plant them. Or I guess I could think about hydroponics.

Here in SA our best time is fall. October/November. Sometimes we don't get a frost until thanksgiving or later sometimes we get and early one at the end of October. Early spring here is also when I tried. I don't have enough light in the house to grow plants. Our windows are small and I have trees blocking the west windows as do most people here. It is pretty hot here in the summer although it has been running in the 90's to 100's since las February.

Has this been the longest Texas summer on record? Last summer was a long one, but this one has gone on forever and ever. And no end in sight.

I know dees, brigid, and IO are probably green with envy ;) but I have three unclaimed stevia cuttings rooted that need to go this weekend (I need the room). My mature plant is living under my wood slat patio table that has burlap draped over the southwest side. It seemed perfectly happy in the July heat wave, even though it only got water aout twice a week. It's in the regrowth phase right now. Mine go through three phases: rapid growth, mature, bushy plant with flowers, and senescent plant with ugly brown leaves. When it gets really ugly I cut the whole top off and it spouts from the base. I should have plenty more cuttings in the fall.

Good input on how it grows. Thanks.

Yes, pretty green with envy. More like scorched brown this year, of course. ;p

As soon as I get a tree growing, I'm planning on planting them under it. Here's hoping.

Yep ... green ... that's me! LOL It's scorching even under the trees here as I'm sure it is over in TX! :-) This has been a wicked summer. Last year we almost drowned ... and this year we almost baked to death. :-( Poor farmers.

Green looks good on me too. I am interested i your cuttings this fall. I will be happy to pay for them. I have a little more insight now on growing them. I think I can find a shady spot around here.

The Texas summers are usually long but I have to agree this is a little bit too long. Whew!!!

Same here, if you decide you have more than you want ... Dmail me. :-)
~Elaine~

I'll let you know when I have some more.

Back on the subject of tea, has anyone made tea from scented geraniums? How about sage? I have a sage that smells like tropical fruit punch but it never has many leaves.

We have a wonderful mediterranean restaurant near here that serves a mint and sage tea. The mint and sage are mixed with black tea. It's delicious.