Start harvesting anytime after the spring is 3-4″ tall If you are eager for some mint, it can be harvested when you have a bunch of sprigs that are just 3 to 4 inches tall. Harvesting a few stems early on will encourage future growth and a bushier plant!
How long does it take for spearmint to mature?
60 days
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Perennial herb | Frost |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Maturity: | 60 days | Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators |
| Spacing: | 24 inches | Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, lettuce, peas, peppers |
| Planting Depth: | 1/2 inch (seeds) | Other types of mint, potatoes |
| Height: | 2-3 feet | Lamiaceae |
How do you grow and harvest Spearmint?
Harvest mint leaves at any size by pinching off stems. For a large harvest, wait until just before the plant blooms, when the flavour is most intense, then cut the whole plant to just above the first or second set of leaves. In the process, you will remove the yellowing lower leaves and promote bushier growth.
Does mint grow back after cutting?
Take the stem you cut from the original mint plant and slide it into the soil. You can also place mint stems in a glass of water. Remove any leaves that would sit below the water line or they will rot. Eventually, roots will start to grow.
What can I do with my spearmint plant?
Uses for Mint Leaves
- Make your own mint syrup. Mint syrup can be used to flavor your summer drinks, snow cones, desserts and more.
- Perk up your pesto.
- Utilize as an insect repellent.
- Chew for fresh breath.
- Give your potatoes some pop.
- Fancy up your beverages.
- Spice up your salads.
- Give your butter a boost.
Does spearmint grow back every year?
Mint Plants’ Life Expectancy
Mint is a hardy perennial, which means you don’t have to plant it every season. After lying dormant each winter, it starts to revive and sprout again in the spring. Its hardy nature is due to strong roots that rapidly spread underground and grow new shoots.
Can you eat spearmint leaves?
Are the leaves just for flavor or can you eat them? Mint is a member of the Lamiaceae family, consisting of about 15 to 20 species, such as spearmint and peppermint, all of which are perfectly fine to eat raw or cooked. Mint leaves are a favored herb that people use, dried or fresh in many dishes and infusions.
Do spearmint plants spread?
Mint Can Only Move So Fast
This is a mint plant that is just starting to spread after one year in the ground. Mint will spread from its underground roots, and can cover great distances and go under obstacles to get to where it wants to go, so keep that in mind when planting.
How do you dry spearmint leaves for tea?
Place the leaves on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Warm them in the oven at 180 F or 80 C for two hours, then check them to see if they’ve dried out completely. If so, they’re done.
How do you dry spearmint leaves?
How to Prepare Mint Leaves for Drying
- Rinse the mint leaves thoroughly. Take your bunches of mint leaves and rinse them under cool, running water.
- Dry the mint leaves. Remove any excess moisture from the mint leaves with a salad spinner if you have one.
- Remove the stems (optional).
- Place the leaves on a drying rack.
Should I cut mint runners?
Because the runners from mint travel under the soil and emerge as new plants, cutting the runner between the main mint plant and the new plants allows you to multiply the number of mint plants with ease.
Should you let mint flower?
It is not necessary to remove mint flowers. It will not affect the quality of the leaves. However, it is recommended to cut the flowers before they develop seeds or else your mint will self-seed and expand into many new plants.
Can you harvest mint after it flowers?
After mint blooms, it loses some of its essential oil, making the leaves less fragrant and flavorful. Watch for the buds that indicate when the plant is about to bloom. Once buds appear, you can pinch them or cut back the plants. During the second year, you can cut the plants back two or three times.
Do you pick mint leaves from the top or bottom?
So, make sure you pick the smaller leaves on the top first. Doing so will not only help you enjoy more flavorful leaves, but it will also encourage new growth. With regular pruning, your mint plants will grow bushier and produce more flavorful foliage.
Can you propagate Spearmint?
Yes, mint can be grown cuttings, also known as propagating mint. Propagating is simply means producing a plant that is identical (genetically speaking) to its parent by means of dividing, taking cuttings, etc.
What bugs does mint keep away?
Mint (Mentha)
The scent of mint repels aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and even ants. To prevent this aggressive grower from taking over your vegetable garden, you can simply lay sprigs of mint among the plants you want to protect, but the sprigs must be replaced often.
Can I freeze fresh mint?
2. Freeze: You can freeze mint leaves to preserve flavor using the ice cube method if you plan to keep mint long-term. Remove the mint leaves from the stems and place the leaves in an ice cube tray. Pour water over the tray, then place the tray in the freezer.
Is spearmint and peppermint the same?
Peppermint’s flavor is similar to spearmint, but it contains the ingredient menthol, making its flavor stronger and more pronounced. Both spearmint and peppermint have menthol in them but peppermint contains a higher menthol content (40% versus . 05% in spearmint).
Does spearmint keep mosquitoes away?
Peppermint, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) – all have pest-repelling qualities. Sprays made from these plants create an effective mosquito repellent as well as repel other insect species.
Does spearmint keep bugs away?
Some varieties of mint, such as peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata), also have insect repellent properties.
How often should you water spearmint?
Mint plants require the soil to be evenly moist but not saturated to prevent wilting and avoid root rot. If the top inch of the soil feels dry, give your mint plants a good soak. Typically water 2 times per week. Increase watering in high temperatures or if mint wilts.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.