Mint is probably the most invasive of all herbs. Give it a chance and it will take over your garden. Look at this picture, taken just outside my back door. You can see how, even in the really poor soil there, and in a place that gets precious little light, the Mint is still galloping off. Every inch or so that root grows, it puts up another little plant.
How far would it travel if you just left it, I wonder? Back in October I adopted one of this plant's siblings
But it hasn't done so well indoors. It went very spindly - probably didn't get enough light.
I prefer to keep my Mint coralled in containers like this one:
I must get round to re-potting my Mint soon, if I want a decent supply of this lovely herb during the summer. I've done most of the other herbs, so the Mint needs its turn too...
What's your favourite way of using Mint? Mint sauce with roast lamb? In generous handfuls in a Tabbouleh? In an Indian yoghurt Raita? Mint and Chocolate ice-cream? It's so versatile!
I only grow it in containers but must repot it this year. With roast lamb or new potatoes - perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started gardening, I planted mint. Before I could turn around, it had taken over the whole garden and even galloped into the grass near the plot. I had a hard time getting rid of it. Believe me, I would only plant it in a container!
ReplyDeleteMark, forgot to tell you that in Kentucky where I grew up, the suggested use for mint is in a favorite drink at the Kentucky Derby in May (or any time for that matter). It is Mint Julep, made by shaking good Kentucky bourbon over ice with mint and then garnishing it with mint.
ReplyDeleteHi Egretta; Mint Julep sounds GOOD to me! (I also like Creme de Menthe, which you don't see much of these days...)
ReplyDeleteI have had several types of mint growing here. Lemon balm took off and now I have several patches of lemon balm. The other mints grew for a while, spread a bit and then slowly died off for the most part. I do not have them in my garden, however--where the soil is nice, no they are planted here and there around the property, in the flower gardens etc. It spreads but I find if the lawnmower cuts it down too many times, it dies.
ReplyDeleteI tried making lemon balm jelly a couple times but it never would jell. I tried lemon balm tea but it really just isn't all that great. Now it just keeps growing and I don't really use any of it for anything. I hope you get some suggestions here because I wouldn't mine putting it to good use.
Becky; I share your views of Lemon Balm - smells quite nice; looks quite nice; but tastes insipid. Real mint is great though - make some mint sauce for with roast lamb, or just chop some fresh mint onto boiled new potatoes; or mix some chopped mint, some raisins and some toasted pine-nuts into bulghur wheat or couscous for a lovely fragrant "North African" salad.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of your North African salad, Mark. I will give that one a go. I don't have any creative ideas for mint, except the usual. I too always grow it in a container. Did you notice I put up the award. Thanks again, for the honour.
ReplyDeleteI love mint in a salad, any salad, I find it gives it a huge lift. I also came across a mint, coriander and green paw paw salad recipe yesterday, I'd really like to try that too.
ReplyDeleteI actually really like the way mint grows like a weed. I have so many here, it's nice to have one I can use!
Mint on fresh pineapple is a match made in heaven. It makes the most refreshing dessert.
ReplyDeleteMint in tea...refreshing! Roast lamb with mint jelly...grandma's favorite!
ReplyDeleteMint grows like crazy, I have to repot mine twice last year to keep up with it. Still love to have it tho, I have three kinds now.
ReplyDeleteThe only way I use mint is in a tea. Somehow I never tried to use it in cooking...
ReplyDeleteGosh I wish my mint would travel like that, mine seems to grow all twiggy and go nowhere, I guess maybe I have it in too much shade..
ReplyDeleteWe have our mint in a small bed on the plot with grass paths around it. When we cut the paths any spreading mint is kept in check but the problem is that the smell makes our mouths water!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few varieties but they have all mixed in together and it is difficult to tell which is which. We use it in lots of recipes and even added to salad leaves. We also sometimes add it to tzatziki.
@GLA: How nice to have a Mint lawn! Have you ever had pineapple mint, or chocolate mint?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have had either of those but I have a pineapple sage although it probably hasn't survived this winter. Thinking about it I may have a pineapple mint (just looked up a picture) as I have one that looks like it with variegated leaves but it doesn't grow very strongly and I don't rate the mintiness!
ReplyDeleteI forget what most are but I have peppermint & spearmint, another has dark smooth leaves and another sort of felty leaves. I'll have to scrabble about in the mint bed and see if I can find any labels! Sorry!
In the summer, what about mojitos (mix lots of crushed mint with white rum, lime juice, sugar & sparkling water)? A good way to use extra mint. Or mint tea, as others suggested, is really good on chilly days.
ReplyDeleteKelli, the mojito sounds great, but we need the summer evening to go with it...
ReplyDeleteOh no I forgot about our only mint plant until I look at yours and daydream how fun to see that mints galloping like steps in your garden. I wonder if my mint survive the extreme hot weather we had before. Thank you for reminding me that I should propagate some from cuttings.
ReplyDelete