Herb of the Month

Mint

Mint is notoriously easy to grow and hard to kill – though I confess I have managed it. It does particularly well in pots since it’s so determined to self-perpetuate that even in gardens or allotments it’s recommended that you put it in a pot and sink the pot in the ground, to stop it taking the whole place over. It can also tolerate shady conditions, but it does require regular watering.

Growing

I grew my mint from a cutting that was perhaps a little closer to a root division. Mint propagates underground, so if you take a sprig from an established plant and get even a fairly small piece of root with it, then stick it in a pot of compost, it’ll probably settle in just fine. Always take two or three cuttings in case one doesn’t take. Be warned that it may take a while to get started; be patient. If it hasn’t actually withered and gone brown, it’s probably fine. (Later, with established mint, even if it does wither and die off, there’s probably enough life in the roots that it can be resurrected with a little TLC.)

You can also grow mint easily from seed – just sow the seed and keep the soil moist.

Mint likes moist conditions, and will tolerate shade well. If in full sun, remember to water it regularly. A larger pot may help it retain more water. Given half a chance it will spread, but in a container you should be fine! Feed monthly with a liquid fertiliser of some sort.

Culinary uses

One of the nicest uses for mint is in making mint tea – simply pour boiling water over a sprig of mint, or for a stronger flavour, simmer the mint briefly in water on the stove. Mint is also nice in cocktails, try vodka, apple juice and a sprig of mint.)

Mint cutting doing well – notice the little leaves sprouting from the base of the larger ones. The label refers to the fact that I got the cutting from my friend Jess.

New potatoes and fresh peas are nice with a few leaves of mint, and you can of course make mint sauce. Mint is also used in Moroccan cooking.

Medicinal uses

Mint tea is good for settling the stomach, whether the trouble is indigestion, trapped wind or nausea, and can be pleasantly rehydrating. It’s also recommended to treat menstrual cramps. It is said to be useful for kidney or liver problems, although there’s no evidence of this.

A mint poultice can be used to treat headache or backache (use a compress soaked in a mint decoction, where the mint has been boiled in the water for a few minutes).