Mint: The Herb of Hospitality

Article by: Gwen Stewart

The Mentha species or mints as they are commonly called include many varieties that flavour everything from appetizers to desserts. The best-known species in North American are peppermint (M. x piperita) and spearmint (M. spicata), which are highly valued for commercial use. Mint symbolises "hospitality"Â and can be grown in pots , Viburnum Dilatatum 'Cardinal Candy' and containers indoors , Teak Furniture: The Premier Outdoor Furniture and out. In the garden, , Corylopsis (Winterhazel) - Spicata mint should be grown with a barrier around the roots, , The Garden in Winter as it can be extremely invasive. Most mints do not come true from seed , How To Find Cheap Flower Delivery In Your Area so it is best to purchase plants , International Flower Delivery from a nursery or garden , Do It Yourself Landscaping centre. Fresh mints are a source of Vitamin C and pro-vitamin A.

Peppermint and spearmint are perennials , Gardening - An Expression growing 12 - 36 inches (30 - 90 cm) tall although some mints are ground hugging. Produced at the end of square stems, terminal spikes of dainty lilac, purple, pink, , Corylopsis (Winterhazel) - Spicata or white flowers , Seeding Your Lawn, Laid Bare usually bloom in mid-to-late summer. , Barefoot at the Cottage Cultivation requirements for growing , Gardening - An Expression mint: grows , Gardening Tools - An Overview best in moist, deep, loosely textured sandy soil; full sun , House Name Plates but will do well in partial shade; keep well watered; pinch off flowers , How To Find Cheap Delivery In Your Area to promote bushy growth; and if growing indoors, , How Do I Keep My Pond From Turning Green? fertilise with an organic , Gardening During Hard Times or Emergencies - You Can Feed Yourself! fertiliser at half-strength every 3 or 4 weeks. Where winters , Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are? are harsh, mulch with straw , Gardening Tools - An Overview or leaves to protect your plants. , Step by Step 'Leaf' Stepping Stones

Mints have creeping roots , Barefoot at the Cottage that require sufficient room , Benefits of Mulch to develop. When establishing indoor plants, , Benefits of Mulch pot , Teak Furniture: The Premier Outdoor Furniture up in good houseplant soil , Plastic & Resin Patio Furniture – What You Don’t Know and sufficiently large containers to accommodate their root , How To Find Cheap Flower Delivery In Your Area system. To bring indoors , Do It Yourself Landscaping for the winter, , How To Make Your Own Moss Landscape Rock and Garden Statues check for insects, and spray with soap and water , Gardeners Gift Ideas if necessary. To harvest and prevent indoor plants , The Garden in Winter from getting scraggly, keep the stems cut back to 5 inches (13 cm). This will also keep the plants , Patio Table Covers from blooming and ensure tastier leaves.

Indoor mints require at least 5 hours of strong sunlight daily. Grow , Flower Shops them on a southern or eastern exposure. If you are growing , International Flower Delivery them on a windowsill, rotate regularly to ensure each side receives equal amounts of light. , Patio Awnings Add Space to Your Living Area Better yet, grow , A Bit About Bare Root Roses... them under fluorescent lights , History of the Adirondack Chair hung 6 inches (15 cm) above the plants , The Garden in Winter and leave on for 14 hours a day.

In the garden, , ing With Climbing Roses mint is a good companion to cabbage and tomatoes. , Letting Nature Grow Your Garden Mint deters cabbageworms and spearmint may help keep aphids off nearby plants. , International Flower Delivery Mints attract bees so planting them near fruit trees , Corylopsis (Winterhazel) - Spicata will improve pollination and increase yields. Add fresh mint leaves to water , Benefits of Mulch in the birdbath to keep the water , Marjoram: The Herb of Happiness attractive for birds. , Patio Table Covers In the kitchen, , Japanese Gardens Â– Basic Design Questions That Should Be Addressed use mint with roast lamb or fish, , 5 Great Tips For Building A Pond butter, salads, , How to Build Fences cheese, fruits, , Winterizing Your Roses fruit , International Flower Delivery salads, jellies, soups, sauces, plain meats, poultry, stews, sweet dishes, teas, bean and lentil dishes. Add fresh sprigs to cooking water , Do It Yourself Landscaping of peas, carrots, fresh beets, new potatoes, and in vinegar. Mint flowers , How Do I Keep My Pond From Turning Green? can be used in salads , Your Step By Step Guide To Planting The Perfect Lawn as well as garnishes for desserts. In Middle Eastern dishes, mint is used for cheese pastry fillings, yoghurt dressings, and stuffings for vegetables , How Do I Keep My Pond From Turning Green? such as bell peppers, , Gardening With Climbing Roses tomatoes, , Corylopsis (Winterhazel) - Spicata and eggplant. Mint tea is useful for soothing upset stomachs. To brew a cup, use 1 teaspoon (5 mL) dried leaves or 3 teaspoons (15 mL) crushed fresh leaves in 1 cup (250 mL) of boiling water. , The Garden in Winter Steep to taste. Mint can be dried or freeze leaves in butter, oil, or ice cubes.

Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden , Statuary - Time for a Fresh New Look consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place , Improve Garden Soil with Cover Crops Of Peace - Gardening , How to Build a Fence For The Soil, , Step by Step 'Leaf' Stepping Stones Gardening , A Bit About Bare Root Roses... For The Soul and the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening , 5 Great Tips For Building A Fish Pond Products. She owns the website Gwen's Healing Garden , House Name Plates where you will find lots of free information , Container Gardening: Urban Alternative for Plant Lovers about gardening , With Climbing Roses for the soil , Patio Table Covers and gardening , Barefoot at the Cottage for the soul. To find out more about the books and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca

Gwen Nyhus Stewart Â© 2004 - 2005. All rights reserved.

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Mint: The Herb of Hospitality

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