Mint

A traditional garden mint. Superb with lamb, new potatoes and in sauces.

• Herbs are so easy – you don’t even need a garden! Just a few in pots on the patio or windowsill will add that little extra to a dish.
• Sow thinly, indoors for surest results, March-April, 0.5cm (¼”) deep, in small trays of compost.
• Water well and place in a warm position.
• A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F) is ideal.
• Keep moist.
• Seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days.
• Transplant seedlings individually to 8cm (3″) pots, when large enough to handle.
• Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions.
• Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out into moist, well-drained soil, 30cm (1′) apart, during May-July.
• Or sow outdoors May-June for ease, where they are to crop, 0.5cm (¼”) deep, directly into finely-prepared, moist, well-drained soil, which has already been watered.
• Thin seedlings to 30cm (1′) apart.
• Harvest: April-November.
• Cut the leaves, as required, a few from each plant so that they will regrow quickly.
• Leaves can be frozen for later use.