Author Topic: Types of mint (Read 22040 times)

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?

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #1 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. ?

Steph Hen · « **Reply #2 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 :-)

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #3 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.

alang · « **Reply #4 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.

Lingon · « **Reply #5 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.

DavidandCollette · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2018, 09:23:07 am »

Beg steal or borrow Jekka McVicar Complete book of herbs.

alang · « **Reply #7 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

Fleecewife · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2018, 10:29:15 pm »

http://secretherbgarden.co.uk

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

doganjo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2018, 06:55:51 pm »

Visit some garden centres and try them out

sometimes bits fall off ................ into pockets

alang · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2018, 07:42:08 pm »

Annie i like that idea

Fleecewife · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2018, 09:25:20 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on November 15, 2018, 10:29:15 pm

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 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.

arobwk · « **Reply #12 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.