i haven't but it's on my "Want List" too!

There is a lady that sells stevia at the Greater Springfield Farmers Market. She is always at the market on Saturday. See the link below...or check out the www.ozarkgardens.com website....or www.springfieldfarmersmarket.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Earth Mother Gardens

You can raise it from seed pretty easily. I did it a couple of years ago.

GD

Thanks everyone! Gldno, that's interesting. I read somewhere on the net that it is not easy to start from seed, but guess that depends on the quality of the seed and the ability of the person planting it. I may have to go that route. So what did you think of it as a sweetener?

Millie, In 1995, I take workshop herb with Tina Wilcox in Mountain View. I remember she have some Lippa dulce (Aztec Sweet) calls Sugar plant in the greenhouse. So I ate one leaf. It was so sweet. I took it other one and ate it. She warned me just one or two leaf. I did not asked her why. In about 30 mins.. I felt so buzz in my head! WOW.. I am wondering why it caused it feeling buzz.. I quess it has so much natural sugar in it?? Do you know about it? AND... is that same plant with Stevia Rebaudiana?? I checked my herbs books to see if I find Aztec Sweet. I could not find it. I will try to ask Tina about it. Maybe she is selling those plants. I will let you know about it. Millie.. I am wondering what are you gonna to use it for? Kat

Kat, here is some info on Stevia. It is sweet without sugar or calories. It is good for diabetics to use because it does not affect blood sugar levels. Also good for just cutting back on the use of sugar without going to chemical sweeteners. I have been curious about it for some time, but recently had a friend who wanted to know about using it and growing it. I found one website that claimed it was hard to grow from seed, but gldno says it is not hard to start from seed...I suspect it has to do with the grower more than with the seed. Many perennials are harder to start than annuals. It is available through Park's Seed catalog.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stevia

A guy who sells herbs at the Bentonville Farmer's Market is supposed to have some next Saturday. If you go get some, have him save at least 1 for me!