Many gardeners refuse to grow mint due to a bad experience or knowing of someone else's. Some varieties can become invasive, but are easily controlled with a little creative growing. The standard peppermint can be very invasive if left to run wild. The two easiest was to control it are to grow it in a hanging basket, a container on a porch or deck or grow the beautiful variegated variety.Mint is attractive in contianers alomost all year. But don't limit yourself to just basic round pots. Try  something different-such as the pottery crock below. Try a mint planting in an old boot(bet they put shoes up after that!). If you are afraid that any type of mint will become the kudzu of your garden, try it in a hanging basket. where the spread is confined to the pot. The method of planting a pot in the ground with the mint has never proved effective in controlling mint when I have tried it. Roots will grow out the drainage holes or spread acroos the top of the soil. Once you learn to control the invasive varieties, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Welcome to the Family~

There are two basic groups in the mint flavor family, peppermint and spearmint.All the flavored mint will have an undertone of one or the other. Chocolate, Hazelnut, Margarita,Creamy Berries,Corsican, Blackberry and Sweet Lemon all have an undertone of peppermint and have a stronger flavor.Fruit, Lavender, Orange,Lime, Banana, Apple, and Pineapple have an undertone of Spearmint and are sweeter and more delicate. Smoother and not quite the sharper flavor of the peppermints. The flavor combination are endless!

Mint Plants

Planting, Growth, and Harvesting

Plant mint in well drained soil, in sun or partial sun. Mint will use a fair amount of water, but like many herbs, a lot fertilizer is not required. The more you cut your mint, the more it will branch and grow fuller- the perfect excuse to use it often. With the exception of Corsican mint, mint dries easily. It may be used fresh or dried. While many varieties have lovely flowers, it is best to keep the flowers pinched out for the best leaf production..The best time to harvest mint is in the morning just after the dew has dried and the flavor is strongest. To use fresh, simply rinse and drain. If your recipe does not call for mint to be cut or chop, bruise by lightly squeezing in your hand to slightly break the leaf surface which releases the fragrance and flavor.When drying mint, leave as many leaves whole as possible, since larger pieces are easier to strain when making beverages and cosmetics. Dried mint can always be broken or crushed as needed.The basic rule is 1 tablespoon dried herb equals 2 tablespoons fresh.

Mint Tea

Mint Tea is best when made as an infusion(Pouring boiling water over leaves and allowing to steep, covered, for 5-10 minutes.Begin with 1-2 tablespoons dried mint(2-4 tablespoons fresh) for every cup of water. For stronger tea, increase herb amount not steep time. Iced tea may require twice as much herb to  allow for dilution from ice. The more you experiment, the more of your own personal blends you will create. Your tea can be sweetened with Stevia, sugar, honey,  molasses, jelly, fruit juice -whatever you enjoy.

Super treat: add a packaet of instant cocoa mix to a steaming mug of mint tea~ Yum!

More Mint Delights

Caffine -free Lemon Mint Tea

4 tbls. dried lemon grass

3 tbls dried lemon verbena

1 tbls. dried spearmint

1 tbls. dried peppermint

Combine herbs, steep in 4 cups boiling for 5 minutes. Strain. Delicious hot or iced!

Mint Foot Scrub

1 cup unflavored yogurt

1 c. kosher or rock salt

3/4 c. mint leaves

Combine ingredients and apply to feet. use damp cloth to gently scrub rough spots. Rinse and apply thick lotion or petroleum jelly.

Minty Facial Astringent

1 tbls. fresh mint 

1 c. fresh mint

Combine in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Steep in cool, dry place for a week. Strain. Pour liquid into bottle or spritzer. Use about 1 Tsp. per day. Good for normal or oily skin. Makes about a six week supply.

*A sprig of mint added to beef during cooking will brighten and enhance the flavor!

Add mint leaves to you next bath bag for delightful treat!

A few leaves chopped  into a sald add an unexpected  splash of flavor .

Mint eases indigestion and clears a stuff nose.

Mint is a very pleasant insect repellant, rub a handful of mint over the skin while in the garden to discourage biting insects.

The more you use mint varieties, the more ways you will find to use it.

If you have questions, or would like to share mint recipes and/or uses, please contact me!

Copyright © 2006 ladybugburns