Maintenance: Spring: Dig up root if cuttings are required. Summer: Give plants a haircut to promote new growth. Control the spread of unruly plants. Autumn: Dig up roots for forcing. Bring in containers for winter use. Winter: Sterilize roots if rust evident during growing season.
Mint, Mentha
Plant in partial shade or sun, moist, well-drained soil. Warning… Mint is one of those plants that will walk all over the garden if not kept in control. I use bottomless containers such as clay chimney pipes and plastic planters, leaving at least 2" of the top above the soil to assist holding back runners. The clay pipes can be found for free on construction sites of new homes, there is usually a piece that is left over after a fireplace has been installed. I always ask permission to take them and the workers are more than happy to give me small pieces. They look attractive lined up in a bed of varied heights with different mints planted, but contained!
Propagation: Seed on the market is not worthwhile - leaf flavor is inferior and quite often it does not run true to species. Root cuttings and division work best and are very easy. Cuttings - Simply dig up a piece of root. Cut it where you can see a little growing node, each node will produce a new plant. Push them into the potting soil, water and leave. If done in the spring you sill see new growth in about two weeks. Cuttings can be done anytime during the growing season.
Spearmint or peppermint: If planted near roses will deter aphids. Plant an unmowable bank or ditch with mint for a fast, fragrant, lovely ground cover. You can mow the edges that grow into your grass and if you use the mint Pennyroyal you are releasing a scent to deter mosquitoes too. Never eat pennyroyal, as it is toxic.
Harvesting: Pick the leaves for fresh use throughout the growing season. Pick leaves for drying or freezing before the mint goes to flower.
Preserving: Dry, freeze or infuse leaves in oil or vinegar. The best time for picking leaves is mid morning, after the morning dew has dried but before the hot sun hits. And the best flavored leaves are picked right before flowering, giving a good 'haircut' at this time will also give you a good harvest again before summer is over.
Culinary : Infuse single or blended mints as a refreshing tea. Make mint sauce, vinegar, syrups and with chocolate in rich desserts. Crystallize as a sweet for decoration.
Spearmint, Orange Mint and Apple Mint: Add fresh leaves to new potatoes, peas, fruit salads, drinks and punches.
Medicinal: (Spearmints) Inhale drops of essential oil, or sprinkle on a handkerchief, for relief from heavy colds. (Peppermint) Infuse a tea to help digestion, colds, and influenza. Sip cold tea for hiccups and flatulence. (Spearmint and peppermint) Macerate leaves in oil; then massage affected areas for migraines, facial neuralgia and rheumatic and muscular aches, especially in winter. Peppermint is aromatic, calmative, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, and is also a stimulant.
Crafts: Use in herb posies and invalid bouquets. Add sprigs to herbal wreaths and the like. Use in potpourri and herb bags.
Cosmetic: Pick a bunch of eau de cologne mint and tie it up with a string and hang it under the hot water tap when you are drawing a bath. You will not only scent your bath and yourself but the whole house. Very uplifting and refreshing. (Spearmint) Decoct strongly to heal chapped hands. Add to bath for an invigorating bath.
Household: Scatter fresh or dried leaves around food to deter mice. Use leaf oil to overpower tobacco smells. (Pennyroyal) Strew in cupboards, near door entrances, foundation cracks etc. to deter ants and fleas.
