There are as many as twenty varieties of mint available to gardeners and possibly hundreds out in nature. Many of the available cultivars are hybrids, some that have been grown for hundreds of years. In searching seed sites, I find that only spearmint is commonly available as seeds and other mint varieties are only available as live plants.
Fresh mint is great to have around. We mostly use sprigs to add a little extra flavor to iced water and sweet tea, lemonade and hot beverages. I like to use it in salsas, salads and pretty much anywhere that I use fresh parsley, basil or cilantro. It's especially good as a fresh mint sauce with lamb.
As a medicinal herb, mint tea is good for mild stomach upset, with honey and lemon to sooth colds, and as a remedy for some kidney pain. In the book The Green Pharmacy, by James A. Duke, Ph.D., Doctor Duke recommends a mixed mint tea to ease the discomfort of minor kidney pain and even kidney stones. Over the years I've found this remedy to be a blessing when my kidneys flair up on Friday night and I can't see my doctor 'til Monday, at the earliest. It's also helped every single person I've suggested it to, including easing the passage of kidney stones.
Mint is easy to dry. I simply clip off stems and hang them in the kitchen. When they are fully dry I strip the leaves and put them in a jar until I'm ready to use them. Adding the loose leaves to hot water works fine, but crushing them and using a tea ball is my preferred method.
Mints have a reputation for being very invasive, so most people confine them to pots. A border of mint is supposed to be a good repellent for ticks and mosquitoes. I plan to give this a try.
I started my mint collection with spearmint grown from seeds I purchased through seedsnow.com. My first planting didn't do well, but a second planting has thrived. I simply scattered the tiny seeds on the surface of damp potting soil and added a sprinkling of soil over the top.
For Father's Day, my daughter Kelly gave me several more mint starts from Bonnie Plants. The roots had grown through the peat pots, so I carefully peeled off the pots.
Before repotting, I removed a few starts for new plants and planted them in small pots. I was careful not to damage too many roots, although mint plants aren't all that sensitive.
Since mint is grown for its foliage, I feed once a month with fish emulsion, which is heavy on the nitrogen side.
Chocolate mint is named mostly for its brown stems, but it does have a slightly chocolaty smell and flavor.
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. It has a slightly spicier flavor than spearmint.
A few months after transplanting, I have a lush potted garden of mints. Next spring I will likely add more varieties.
Stephen
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