Cultivation of Peppermint

Site: Peppermint generally thrives in shade and expands quickly by underground rhizomes. If you choose to grow peppermint, it is advisable to plant it in a container, otherwise it can rapidly take over a whole garden. It needs a good water supply, and is ideal for planting in part-sun to shade areas.

Propagation: Plant mint in moist, fertile soil in light shade. Space plants 3 feet apart and divide often to prevent aggressive spreading. It can be invasive, and its roots may need containing. Replant every 3 years

Growing: The mints are excellent groundcovers due to their tendency to spread. If you keep them mowed, they will form a thick carpet. Fresh mint is added to salads and summer beverages. The dried leaves make an aromatic tea that is sometimes considered to be an aid to digestion. Spearmint has a slightly milder flavor, less medicinal, than peppermint. The dried leaves can also be added to sachets and potpourris to give an impression of “coolness.”

Harvesting: The leaves and flowering tops, collected as soon as the flowers begin to open and carefully dried, are the useable portion of the plant. The wild form of the plant is less suitable for this purpose, with cultivated plants having been selected for more and better oil content. Peppermint grows from the ground

Culinary Uses: Peppermint has a high menthol content, and is often used as a flavoring in tea, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste. The oil also contains Mentone and menthyl esters. It is the oldest and most popular flavor of mint-flavored confectionery. Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos and soaps, which give the hair a minty scent and produce a cooling sensation on the skin