Latest / The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners / Episode 16 – Mint - Invincible and Aromatic

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Episode 16 – Mint - Invincible and Aromatic · The Beanstalk : A Podcast for Gardeners

• 0:28
  Welcome back to the Beanstalk, fellow beans.
• 0:32
  My name is John, your neighborhood garden buddy, and
• 0:38
  today we're diving into a plant that's equal parts blessing and
• 0:42
  curse mint. If you've ever grown it, you
• 0:47
  know it can be the gift that keeps on giving and giving and
• 0:52
  giving. From refreshing summer drinks
• 0:56
  and herbal teas to pest control and even ancient mythology, mint
• 1:01
  has left its mark everywhere it's been grown.
• 1:08
  But here's the thing, this isn't just any old herb.
• 1:12
  Mint has personality. It's bold, it's invasive, and it
• 1:19
  demands respect in the garden. By the end of this episode,
• 1:24
  you'll know how to keep it under control, how to make the most of
• 1:27
  it in your kitchen, and a few nerdy fun facts you can share at
• 1:32
  your next garden party. Why should we grow mint?
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  So why dedicate space to a plant that can be a bit of a bully?
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  The truth is, mint is one of the most useful and rewarding herbs
• 1:50
  you'll ever grow. It's a flavor powerhouse.
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  Mint's fresh, cooling bite can elevate both sweet and savory
• 2:00
  dishes. Think mint chocolate chip ice
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  cream, fresh spring rolls, lamb with mint sauce, or even a
• 2:09
  simple iced tea. It's useful when used
• 2:15
  medicinally. For thousands of years, mint has
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  been used as a digestive aid, a nausea remedy, and even a mild
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  headache reliever. Peppermint tea after a heavy
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  meal is still one of the simplest home remedies around.
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  It is incredibly aromatic. Growing mint near a walkway
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  means you get that fresh, uplifting scent every time you
• 2:43
  brush against it. It's like nature's air
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  freshener. It's even a stress reducer.
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  Studies show mint's aroma can reduce tension and help you
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  relax. A quick whiff while you're in
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  the garden can feel like a reset button.
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  And here's the kicker, mint is one of those herbs it's hard to
• 3:10
  mess up. If you're new to gardening.
• 3:13
  It practically grows itself. Now for how to grow mint and
• 3:21
  keep it from taking over. Now let's be honest, mint has a
• 3:28
  bit of a reputation. Ask any gardener and they'll
• 3:32
  likely warn you about how quickly it spreads.
• 3:37
  Left unchecked, it can turn your herb bed into a mint only zone.
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  So how do we harness its power without losing control?
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  Firstly, containers are king. Grow mint in pots, planters, or
• 3:55
  even in a buried bucket with the bottom cut out.
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  This keeps the roots contained and stops them from spreading
• 4:03
  underground. Mint loves moist and rich soil.
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  If you've got a damp corner in your yard where other herbs
• 4:13
  struggle, mint might thrive there.
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  It loves sunlight, tolerates partial shade, but in full sun,
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  the oils in the leaves intensify, giving you stronger
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  flavor and fragrance. It's great for companion
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  planting. Keep it away from delicate herbs
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  like basil or cilantro, but let it sit near cabbage or kale.
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  It'll help repel cabbage moths and aphids.
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  Mint comes in many different varieties.
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  Spearmint and peppermint are the classics, but there's a whole
• 4:55
  rainbow varieties, chocolate mint which really does smell
• 4:59
  like chocolate, apple mint, pineapple mint with very good
• 5:04
  leaves, and even ginger mint. Planting different types side by
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  side can turn into a living taste test experiment, and
• 5:16
  here's a fun one. Mint can also grow indoors on a
• 5:20
  sunny window sill. Just keep it watered and you'll
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  have fresh leaves year round. Let's go over how to harvest
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  mint. Mint is one of those plants that
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  gets better the more you use it. Regular harvesting encourages
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  bushier growth. It's best to harvest using a
• 5:43
  pinching type method. Snip stems just above a pair of
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  leaves. This encourages the plant to
• 5:52
  branch out instead of shooting straight up.
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  Work on your timing. Harvest in the cool morning
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  hours for maximum flavor. The oils are most concentrated.
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  Then here are some preservation options.
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  First, there's drying. Hang small bundles upside down
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  in a dark, airy room. Dried mint is perfect for tea
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  blends. Then we have freezing.
• 6:28
  Chop mint and freeze in ice cube trays with a splash of water.
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  Drop one into lemonade or cocktails for a refreshing
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  twist. And lastly, infusions.
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  Try making mint sugar or mint vinegar for a gourmet touch.
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  And don't forget, if you let mint flour, the bees will thank
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  you. Pollinators absolutely love the
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  tiny purple blossoms. And on to the pros and cons of
• 7:05
  growing mint. First are the pros.
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  Mint is extremely easy to grow, even for beginners.
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  It's perennial, which means it comes back year after year.
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  It's incredibly versatile, used in teas, drinks, cooking, and
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  medicine. Mint is a natural pest
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  deterrent. Lastly, it smells fantastic and
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  attracts pollinators. And now last but not least, the
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  Kongs. It is extremely invasive.
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  If you're not prepared, it can quickly spread out of control.
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  Mint needs frequent harvesting to stay compact, and it can
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  cross pollinate, making flavors less distinct if you grow
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  multiple varieties. Now let's take a look at some
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  common pests and problems. Mint is tough, but here are a
• 8:22
  few issues to watch for. First up is rust fungus.
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  Look for orange or brown spots on the leaves, cut back affected
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  stems and avoid overhead watering.
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  Then there's spider mites. These thrive in hot, dry
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  conditions. Increase humidity or use a
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  strong spray of water to knock them off.
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  Next we have a familiar culprit, aphids.
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  They like the new tender growth. A quick rinse or some
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  insecticidal soap tends to solve the problem and last up root
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  bound pots. If you're growing in containers,
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  don't forget to divide and repot every couple of years.
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  Mint loves space for those runners.
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  The best part has arrived. The recipe Fresh mint lemonade.
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  This recipe isn't just a drink, it's an experience.
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  Just start the ingredients 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, about four
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  to six lemons, half of a cup of sugar or honey, five to six cups
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  of cold water, half of a cup packed with fresh mint leaves,
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  and of course, some ice. Now let's put it all together.
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  To start, we'll make a mint syrup.
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  In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, sugar or honey and the
• 10:32
  mint leaves. Simmer them gently until the
• 10:36
  sugar dissolves. Remove them from the heat and
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  cover. Let the mint steep for 15
• 10:47
  minutes. You can strain out the leaves if
• 10:51
  you're not OK with them being in there.
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  Then all we really have to do is mix it all together.
• 11:02
  Combine the lemon juice, the minced syrup, and the remaining
• 11:07
  cold water in a pitcher. Stir them well.
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  Now let's give it a taste test. Too sweet?
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  Add more lemon juice. Too tart?
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  Add more sugar. Adjust until it's perfect for
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  you. And here's a fun little serving
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  tip. Freeze lemon slices and mint
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  leaves into ice cubes ahead of time.
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  This keeps the drink cold while minimizing how much you dilute
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  it. And for a little pro tip, this
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  lemonade also double S as a cocktail base.
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  Just add a splash of vodka, rum or gin and you've got an instant
• 11:56
  garden party drink. That one's for you, babes.
• 12:03
  Let's dive into the fun facts corner.
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  Mints cooling sensation isn't a temperature, it's a chemical.
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  Menthol triggers cold, sensitive receptors in your mouth and
• 12:19
  skin, tricking your body into feeling cold.
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  Ancient Greeks would rub mint leaves on dining tables to
• 12:29
  freshen the air before feasts. In Victorian England, mint was
• 12:36
  planted around doorways to ward off rodents and freshen the
• 12:40
  entryway. Here's a fun experiment.
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  Try rubbing a mint leaf between your fingers, then sniff it
• 12:52
  right after versus a minute later.
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  The oils keep releasing over time, changing the aroma as they
• 13:00
  evaporate. Thanks again for hanging out
• 13:06
  with me today on the Beanstalk, Fellow Beans.
• 13:09
  If you want to keep the conversation going, we've got a
• 13:12
  growing community over at the Beanstalk Garden Club on
• 13:15
  Facebook. Come join us, share your garden
• 13:20
  photos, swap ideas, and let's nerd out over plants together.
• 13:27
  If you're enjoying the podcast, don't forget to hit follow on
• 13:30
  Spotify so you never miss an episode.
• 13:34
  We'd also love to hear your feedback or questions for future
• 13:38
  episodes. From our patch to yours, keep on
• 13:45
  climbing. Music.