(Mentha spp. )                      Perennial

 

Mint is one of the most famous herbs and rightfully so since there are 20 species of mint - and more than 1000 hybrids! Mint has had hundreds of ancient uses that date back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and other areas throughout Asia and Europe. In ancient Egypt, the Pharisees asked for mint, along with anise and cumin, as tax payments. The Greeks rubbed it on their bodies after baths.

In the first century A.D., mint was said to stir up the mind and incite lust, as well as aid in digestion. It has also been said that hanging mint in sick rooms helps to "reanimate the spirit." It is said that mint has been prescribed for nearly every ailment at some point in history.

All mints are perennials that grow to be 1 to 3 feet high and have a cool, refreshing flavor. Mints are one kind of herb that requires discipline!  Some, like peppermint, can be aggressive growers and take effort on the part of the gardener to keep them in check.  A mint species of some sort, however, is a must for every garden. It is well suited for baskets or bowls.

Mint must be pruned frequently or it will become stringy with lots of long extensions and few leaves. If you plant it in the ground, running a mower over it is one simple way to keep it in check. To keep your mint lively, use an all-purpose fertilizer or cottonseed meal. Be careful not to use too much, however, or your mint will loose its flavor. Mint is winter hardy so it must be maintained year-round.

Growing Tips:

Sun Exposure: Full sun preferred; high shade is okay
Water Requirements: Water somewhat lightly and often; keep moist
Soil Type: Loose, loamy, well-draining soil
Where to Plant: Along edges with tin or wooden barriers to keep in check
Harvesting: Harvest full leaves from the main plant, not stringy extensions
Growth Habit: Medium

 

Kitchen Gardens grows and recommends the following varieties of basil - we think you'll enjoy them, too!

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)...
Stems travel underground
Tiny bell-shaped white flowers in whorls

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)...
Lanced-shaped leaves
Reddish stems - stems spread on top of ground
Pink or lilac bell shaped flowers in whorls

Pineapple Mint (Mentha saveolens variegrate)...
Bright green leaves with a creamy variegation
Cultivar of apple mint

Ginger Mint...
Smooth gold and green variegated leaf
Ginger mint has that spiciness we associate with true ginger
Flowers range from pink, white to purple

Orange Mint...
A strongly aromatic mint with a slight orange flavor.
Small lavender flowers.

Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita 'Chocolate')...
Sweet, musky, "chocolaty" flavor
White and pink flowers are broader than those of spearmint
Smallish shiny green leaves and darker stems