Today I harvested our first peppermint. It was the first time I'd done it so I researched a little and found the following information:
When the plant starts to grow vines that are a good 5" or so, cut all the vines down. Cut them all relatively short, but be sure to leave a couple sets of leaves on each vine. This way the peppermint will continue to create food for it's roots.
As it continues to grow, keep cutting it back to a few inches. This will make it start to get bushier toward the base of the plant, and you'll get a greater yield.
There are many different ways to store your peppermint. The best way to use it is fresh. I'm hanging mine to dry and then will pull off the leaves to use for tea after the growing season is over. Peppermint is my favorite tea!
Do you have chocolate mint? It makes a really good tea and it even tastes somewhat like those peppermint patties.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is chocolate mint. However, it has the same flavor as regular peppermint. The name plays with the mind.
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