I’m sure you’ve seen mint in the grocery store or at your local farmer’s market. It looks so fresh and inviting, but did you know it can be grown right in your backyard?
Yes, Mint is a very easy plant to grow. It’s great for your health and it smells amazing! You can use it in all sorts of recipes, drinks, desserts, and more. I love growing my own mint because I always have some on hand when I need it. Plus, the smell is just so invigorating!
Mint is a very fast-growing plant that spreads like wildfire. You might not think this is a good thing, but it actually makes it great for planting around other plants to help keep them healthy and protect them from pests. Plus, if you have kids they will love helping with the harvesting of mint leaves!
If you want to grow some mint yourself then continue reading on how to do just that! You don’t need any special tools or equipment either – just some soil and water should get things going nicely. And once it starts growing there are tons of ways to use your harvest including making tea, cooking with it, using it as an air freshener…the list goes on!
What is Mint and How Does it Grow?
Mint is a plant that has many different varieties and can grow anywhere from one to three feet tall. Mint has been around for centuries and was first documented in ancient Greece. It’s often used as a flavoring for food or even medicine, but it also comes with several health benefits on its own!
Mint leaves are dark green and can be crinkly or flat, depending on the variety. The leaves are generally ruffled and can have a shiny texture. Mint has small purple or white flowers that are arranged in clusters on the flower stalks.
Mint is often used in cooking because of its pleasant smell and taste — however, some mint varieties that shouldn’t be eaten, so it’s important to know what kind of mint you’re using.
How and When to Plant Peppermint
The best time to plant peppermint is spring, just after the last frost. It must be placed in an area that gets full sun. Peppermint’s toughest enemy is shady areas because they will rot if left in the shade for too long.
To grow peppermint, you only need a small space of about 3 feet by 3 feet. They can grow into a large plant, but the roots will kick out if you don’t provide them with a lot of space to grow. If you have an area where your peppermint can thrive, make sure you leave at least 1 foot from surrounding plants and make sure it has full sun for maximum growth.
For planting peppermint, dig a small hole about 6 inches deep. Gently remove the peppermint from its pot and place it in the hole. If you have some compost, put some in the hole with the roots before planting your peppermint so they can grow faster. After this, cover most of the plant’s roots with soil, but leave part of them uncovered so the plant can get water. If you have great soil, try making a small wall around the base of the peppermint so it doesn’t grow outwards too much.
After planting your mint, make sure that you give it plenty of water until it’s established in its spot. There are also some other things you can do to help your peppermint grow faster. For instance, giving them a bit of fertilizer every month or so during the growing season.
Once you have done all this, you should see some growth from your plant in the coming weeks and months!
When is the Best Time to Harvest Mint?
Mint is a cool-season perennial that can be harvested all year round. It contains more vitamin A and C than most other vegetables.
The best time to harvest mint is when the plant has reached its full size, which usually takes about 3-4 months after planting mint from seed. When you harvest mint before it gets to its full size, it will regrow and multiply.
The mint is at its best when the leaves are young and tender, so harvest frequently to encourage new growth. Mint should be harvested in the morning after the dew has dried but before it gets too hot outside.
When harvesting Mint leaves, cut them back halfway or more of their length to encourage new growth.
Plants can be harvested all year round. You can take cuttings or divide the plant when needed to keep up with its growth rate.
Harvesting in winter is not recommended since it will delay growth in spring and summer after being dormant over the cold months.
How to Store Mint Leaves
It’s the middle of summer, and you’ve started growing mint in your herb garden. But now you want to know how long can mint leaves be stored?
Mint is an easy-to-grow herb that you’ll find yourself reaching for often whether it’s to chiffonade basil or steep for fresh tea. To keep this flavorful plant on hand all year long, simply dry the leaves and store them for future use.
How Long Can Mint Leaves be Stored?
Storing mint is very straightforward because you don’t even need to wash the leaves before drying them. Once they’re dry, simply chop them up into small pieces using a sharp knife, remove any thick stems, place them in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
What You Can do With Fresh Mint Leaves
Mint leaves are used in many ways around the world. In Africa, mint is added to tea or it can be boiled with other ingredients and then drunk as a hot beverage. In England, mint is used to make syrup for mixing into drinks such as lemonade and teas. Mint leaves can also be sprinkled on top of fresh fruit that has sugar on it. Mint leaves are also used in the Middle East to flavor meats, stews, and salads. It can even be found in some desserts!
Mint leaves are also used in India to flavor various dishes, specifically curries. Mint leaves are also common in America as a flavoring for drinks, fruit salads, and desserts. Mint leaves can also be put into dishes such as sauces to reduce the amount of oil needed for cooking. It is added to many foods including fish courses because it goes well with the flavor of fish.
There is a wide variety of fresh mint leaves that can be found around the world and there is no limit on what you can do with them!