There's more to mint than mint......... (Mint)

Member Name: woodlice

Product:	Mint
Date:	14/04/01 (270 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free growing, aromatic and useful in the kitchen - yummy with new potatoes and lots of butter

Disadvantages: Can be invasive if not kept at bay

When we think of mint we think of garden mint, the traditional stuff we grow and throw into new potatoes or make into jelly/vinegar to go with lamb.
Mint has many wonderful varieties and can be used in many ways other than the traditional.
Morracan mint can be quite beautiful in the garden - it had deep black stalks and is extremely minty in flavour and smell. It is particularly good for steeping and making a tisane to aid digestion. It is a good morning after the night before aid to get the system going again and to quell that queezy stomach.
There is also spearmint - that smells and tastes like spearmint chewits! - good for putting into summer drinks, topping sorbets etc.
Apple mint grows into quite a large plant, has an appley aroma and is a good bee and butterfly attractor for your garden. It has a gentler more subtle flavour and can be used in potatoes etc.
Corsican mint - very aromatic, small compact plant that is good for rockeries/alpine tubs. Does not resemble any traditional mint. Looks more like a form of thyme. Can be planted in tubs and made into a seated area as it will withstand some pressure. Makes a wonderful aromatic and relaxing seating area.
As with all mints they will tolerate a sunny area but to grow really well prefer a shady area with moist but free draining soil and lots of organic mulch. They are invasive and need to be kept at bay either with careful maintenance or planted into free draining containers which in turn can be sunk into the planting areas in the garden. They can also be grown in planters or inside.
It can be potted on for winter use and kept in a greenhouse or conservatory - outside it is as prone to frost and will die back like other perrenials.
Ginger mint - as it's name implies it has a gingery tang which is good in chutneys.
Eau de Cologne Mint - far too strong to be used for culinary purposes but can be dried for pot pourri.
Pineapple mint is also quite perfumed and good fo
r pot pourri.
Peppermint has a stronger flavour and can be used for mint tea as well as morracan mint.
Pennyroyal - used in the past for medicinal and disinfectant purposes - can also be used as a flea repellant. Has a very strong aroma and can be grown as an aromatic lawn similar to corsican mint. Has pretty spikes of mauve flowers.
Mint can be regrown by lifting and dividing clumps and is often given to new gardeners to start their collection off. Lifting and dividing can be done in both autumn or spring - I prefer spring as you are more likely to get a good growth with the following good weather.

Mint is prone to mint rust - thickened young shoots with brown spots on. This needs to be erradicated immediately as it will spread to other mints. Apple mint is especially resistant to this disease.

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