Harvesting mint is an easy and rewarding process that will provide you with a bounty of fresh mint for culinary and medicinal uses. With a mint plant, you can easily harvest the leaves, stems, and flowers throughout the growing season with little effort. In this article, we will guide you through harvesting mint, from selecting the right time to cutting the leaves to preserve the harvest for future use. After reading this article, you’ll be able to harvest mint like a pro!
Supplies Needed
Mint is a popular herb that is used in many recipes and to make teas, tinctures, and essential oils. It is easy to grow and can be grown indoors or outdoors. People grow mint for its many health benefits, such as helping with digestion, relieving allergies, and aiding in weight loss. It also adds a refreshing, cooling flavor to any dish. Mint is also a great way to add a touch of freshness to your home, as it is often grown in containers and placed on windowsills or patios. It is easy to care for, and since it is a hardy herb, it is difficult to kill. Mint is an ideal herb to grow for anyone who is looking to add flavor and health benefits to their cooking.
In order to have a successful harvest, you will need a few supplies. You will need a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems of the mint, a large bowl or container to collect your harvest, and a pair of garden gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the leaves. Additionally, you may want to have a garden cart on hand to easily transport the harvested mint to the kitchen or another location. Last but not least, you’ll need a sunny spot in your garden to grow your mint. These supplies will ensure that you have a successful harvest of mint.
When To Harvest Mint
Mint should be harvested just before it starts to flower. This is when the leaves are at their fullest and most flavorful. Mint should be harvested in the morning before the sun has had a chance to evaporate the essential oils in the leaves. For an abundant harvest, the plant should be cut back to about two inches from the ground. This will encourage new growth and a larger harvest. If the mint is being grown for its essential oil, it should be harvested just before the flowers open.
How To Harvest Mint
Harvesting mint is a simple and rewarding process. First, cut off 4-6 inches of the top of the mint stem with a pair of sharp scissors. Make sure to clean the scissors with rubbing alcohol before and after cutting the stem, to prevent the spread of any diseases. After harvesting your mint, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, you can dry your mint leaves and store them in an airtight container. When harvesting mint, make sure to leave some of the stem intact, as it will help the plant regrow. Additionally, you should harvest mint before the flowers start to bloom, as the leaves will be more flavorful.
How To Preserve Mint
To preserve mint for long-term use, it is best to freeze or dry it. When freezing mint, wash and dry the leaves thoroughly and then place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. For drying mint, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and place them in an oven set to the lowest temperature for about two hours. Once the leaves are dry and brittle, remove them from the oven and store them in an airtight container. Dried mint is best used within a few months.
Harvesting mint for drying is easy to do with a dehydrator. Start by snipping off the stems of the freshest and most vibrant mint leaves. Discard any leaves that have wilting or browning edges. Rinse the leaves in cold water and gently pat dry. Place the leaves onto the dehydrator trays in a single layer. Set the dehydrator to a low temperature and run it for several hours until the leaves are completely dry and crumbly. Store the dried leaves in an airtight container and they will last for several months.
Storing harvested mint in water is a great way to ensure the freshness of the leaves. To do this, simply snip the stems off the mint and place the leaves in a container of fresh, cold water. Change the water every few days and the mint leaves should stay fresh for a week or longer. Storing mint stems in water will ultimately lead to growing new roots if you do it right. That’s one way to grow mint from cuttings.
