It is really cold and I am digging up the mint. If the mint appears singular then I need to say that it is three mint plants. I put them in as tiny plants about two years ago and they cost a mere few pounds. However, mint can be a garden thug so care needs to be taken. The first task is the get them up, each one in a big black plastic pot. That corral’s them, keeps them in order so to speak. If you put mint into open soil it often does well, too well as it runs rampant. Even in pots, it roots through the bottom but rarely invades. Once out of the pot, the chunk of root can be halved or quartered with a spade. One of those chunks, back in the pot, will grow well and provide mint tea.

A nice cuppa

You need to pick at least two nicely leafed shoots for a pot of tea. Steep it for at least 5 minutes. Is it any good for you? I cannot give you a precise answer to that but the oil seems a wonderful substance. The stomach likes it, the gut loves it and there are no nasties in it such as caffeine. It is also something you consume literally minutes after you picked it. That is valuable when it comes to nutrients. Finally, it is just a very relaxing drink and it effectively costs you nothing. All it needs is growing skills and perhaps I underestimate that side of it.

Mint Tea

I have three mint varieties. The one I really prefer is apple mint, second is spearmint and third, common old garden mint. I want to end up with 6 contained plants, each pot sunk to its neck along a pathside. That is important because you want to walk out into the garden and pick it readily and easily. If it is on the pathside that is easy and convenient. Right now I can smell that mint, all green and oily, just waiting for an infusion of boiling water.