General: Spearmint

Discussion in 'Herbs for the Kitchen' started by mintyfresh, Sep 15, 2009.

  1. mintyfresh

    mintyfresh Member

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    Slovakia
    Hey there, I'm new.

    I usually fill my room with palms, fruit trees and bamboos, but recently I decided to branch out into herbs.

    I'm growing some spearmint and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on growing spearmint. I have read the basics and I was wondering if anyone had any advice or extra tips.

    In particular, I would like to know the best time to clip the leaves and dry them.
     
  2. mctc

    mctc Member

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    I have found it quite easy to grow and clip it back as needed. I use it fresh I don't know a perticualr good time to harvest. I would recomend cutting back a ways when you do so it branches below where you cut.
     
  3. bedixon

    bedixon Active Member

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    Location:
    gulf islands, canada
    the best time to harvest any kind of mint to dry for tea is just before flowering; the volatile oils are highest then, and therefore the scent will be strongest. I grow peppermint and spearmint in the garden, and some in pots. Yes they spread but I love having lots of mint around for tea. You can chop off as much as you want of the plant; once it gets established, you can't really hurt it. it's quite hard to get rid of in the garden, which is why some people only grow it in pots. A piece will root easily in water if you want to start more plants. I'll add that you can snip off leaves any time at all... I do all the time to use fresh, but if you're looking to do a harvest and dry it, wait until you see the flowers trying to form before doing a big cut.
     
  4. mintyfresh

    mintyfresh Member

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    Thanks, this is all a big help!
     
  5. marianrose

    marianrose New Member

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    Location:
    northern alberta
    Where did you get your start from? I have been looking for spearmint, but haven't found where to get it. The only one was 200 seeds. I am in Alberta.
     

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