The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Herbs => Topic started by: alang on October 17, 2018, 04:05:59 pm

Title: Types of mint
Post by: alang on October 17, 2018, 04:05:59 pm
Just starting to plan what veg and herbs we are going to plant next year and my better half says she wants some rosemary/thyme and mint. The first two are easy but i know there are different 'tastes' of mint (peppermint, spearmint, apple etc etc). I would like to use the mint for new potatoes, meats and sauce. Which types for the things listed would you say go with what?
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Penninehillbilly on October 17, 2018, 08:19:17 pm
Interesting, you got me looking.
I always thought there was a 'garden mint, a basic variety.
It appears spearmint is generally grown for the kitchen, but Monty Don says apple mint has a more delicate flavour for spuds. Pity mine died out. ?
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Steph Hen on October 18, 2018, 11:24:51 am
Each to their own, I like strong, crisp peppermint best, but you can collect them :-)
Grow 'like mint' and you can root in water, dead easy so just pull a bit of any friends who'll let you :-)
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Penninehillbilly on October 18, 2018, 01:20:34 pm
I bought some peppermint this year, nearly lost it in drought, but revived it, and got a sprig of Chocolate mint, which rooted in water and is now growing well,, once tried to get a collection in a row  of bottomless buckets, but they escaped and have all intermingled, bit of a wild area that needs sorting out ?.
I love the look and smell of apple mint but can't seem to keep it going.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: alang on October 25, 2018, 08:18:47 pm
Been looking around at various places and all they say on their seed packets is 'garden mint' whatever that is. Might have to search Amazon a little more to see if i can get other varieties.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Lingon on October 25, 2018, 08:42:11 pm
Seeds are cheap, so I would say, go with every kind you can find, grow them in pots and when you have tasted them all, grow the one you prefer.  :) It's just like with tomatoes, some you like, some you don't.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: DavidandCollette on October 30, 2018, 09:23:07 am
Beg steal or borrow Jekka McVicar Complete book of herbs.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: alang on November 15, 2018, 07:24:30 pm
Sorry DaC i've only just seen your reply.

I shall keep an eye out for it. Might even see if the local library has it
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Fleecewife on November 15, 2018, 10:29:15 pm
http://secretherbgarden.co.uk (http://secretherbgarden.co.uk)

Have a look at this for varieties.  We're going there tomorrow.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: doganjo on November 16, 2018, 06:55:51 pm
Visit some garden centres and try them out  :innocent:  sometimes bits fall off ................ into pockets  :eyelashes:
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: alang on November 16, 2018, 07:42:08 pm
Annie i like that idea  :innocent:
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: Fleecewife on November 16, 2018, 09:25:20 pm
http://secretherbgarden.co.uk (http://secretherbgarden.co.uk)

Have a look at this for varieties.  We're going there tomorrow.



We went today.  Clearly too late in the season for plants and the gardens were dying back for the winter.  Will go back in spring.


Meanwhile I found : www.herbalhaven.com (http://www.herbalhaven.com)   It's in Saffron Walden but they do mail order.  The herbs are only £2-3 per pot, £5.20 P&P, so not going to break the bank.  I lost all my mints over last winter, so I'm going for a full range to start again.
Title: Re: Types of mint
Post by: arobwk on November 16, 2018, 11:10:46 pm
I can highly recommend 'ginger' mint:  I particularly enjoyed it as a salad topper.

Unfortunately, however, I have 'lost' mine.  No idea whether that was due to competition from other spreading perennials or winter conditions, but it would seem to be a less invasive/less robust variety than most mints.