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Mints

 

Description:

Mint grows best in zones 3-10 but does vary with each different species.  Mint likes to be in full sun to partial shade with a rich, moist, well-drained garden soil.

There are many different varieties of mint plants.  I have chocolate mint, lemon mint, spearmint in my own gardens throughout the yard but not in my actual herb garden as they do tend to take over an area if not watched.

Mint leaves can be used in teas, for medicinal uses and to flavour foods. 

The best way to figure out what mint plant is after you have planted it is to pinch the leaves and smell your fingers as the essential oils from the plant are on the leaves.

 

How to Grow Mint:

Mint is by far the easiest herb to grow.  To make more mint plants all you need to do is take a piece of the mint "vine" and place it underground and lightly cover it with soil.

You can purchase established plants at greenhouses and plant them in your herb garden, or in containers in your kitchen.

Be sure if you do not want your mint plants to take over the rest of your garden or flower beds to prune severely and often.  Not to worry you will be doing this so you can make your teas often, if you do not prune them not only will they start to take over but you will end up with woody plants after several years.

 

Pest and Disease Prevention:

Be sure to thin the plants to allow air circulation and to help prevent root rot.  Be on the look out for aphids as they love mint plants.

 

Medicinal Uses:

• Peppermint- Indigestion
• Colic
• Colds
• Excess Mucus
• Nausea
• Skin irritations
• Upper respiratory infections
• Minor burns
• Ringworm
• Sinusitis