Control this aggressive herb by planting it in a controlled space or between paving stones.
I just watched a friends YouTube “how to propagate mint plants.” A better story is how to control mint plants before they take over your garden.
Years ago I asked a friend for a start of his mint plant. Phil said no.
“Because we won’t be friends any more. When it takes over your garden and then your yard, you will hate me.
So, no. I won’t give you mint because I like you.”
I have 5 kinds of mint in my gardens these days. Each mint plant is in an assigned garden spot.
Mint In The Garden
These two mint plants are competing for sunshine and space with the near by lavender plants.
I plant starter mint plants in long chimney tiles that was cleaned from Willard Power Vac in Hood River, was buried deep in the ground. The terracotta tubes help to control the rambling roots. Everyday, I snip off a sprig of mint from one of the plants to add to my tea.
Because I have plenty of mint, I generously use it in my cooking. Once you have a generous supply of mint, you will find ways to use it in your cooking. Plus, my bar tending skills legendary since I mastered the mojito.
Growing and Caring For Mint Plants
Mint will do just fine on its own. No need to feed or water it. That would only encourage the plant to take over your world.
After overwintering in my zone 6, Southeast Missouri garden, the mint starts to come back in the spring.
Plant mint in containers with drainage holes. Sink the container in the ground. Leave the top of the container a few inches above ground level. Prune plants to keep stems in upright position. Stems that touch the ground will quickly root.
Winters and planting in containers control the spreading root systems. Its rhizomes, or roots, run underground and can send up shoots several feet from the mother plant.
To create more plants, place a sprig of mint in a glass of water until roots form.
Mint In The Kitchen
Mint is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and some vitamin B2. It also has essential minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium.Mint tea is said to aid in digestion and heartburn relief.
Mint Recipes
Tabbouleh
Dressed in good quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley and mint combined with tomato, cucumber and bulgur. to show off summer’s best vegetables and herbs.
Mint pesto
Lemon mint pesto
4 cups lightly packed mint leaves,rinsed and spun dry
1/3 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas
2 medium cloves garlic minced
grated zest of one lemon
salt and black pepper to taste
1/3 cup olive oil, more if needed
Blend all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor until finely chopped. Slowly add the olive oil while the machine is running until the mint is a loose paste.
Include mint in any pesto recipe. Using mint leaves in addition to basil is exclusively to serve over marinated tomatoes, gazpacho, or in a salad dressing. Try mint pesto with garlic scapes or pea shoots.
The largest choice of mint is at RICHTERS HERBS in Goodwood, ON, Canada Tel. +1.905.640.6677 Fax. +1.905.640.6641 My favorites from them are Hillary’s Sweet Lemon Mint, Mojito Mint and, Peppermint Mint.
