My Mamaw had a lush bed of spearmint planted outside of her kitchen door. 
If company were coming to visit, she grabbed her broom and went outside to “beat” the mint. Bruising the plants caused their scent to fill the air, and it drifted into the open windows to make the entire house smell like an herb garden. I think she used it to cover the scent of bacon frying. That’s better than an air freshener any day of the week!
Perhaps that memory is why I decided to grow mint in my garden. I wish I had remembered how invasive that doggone plant is! I should have kept it in pots, or planted it in PVC pipe so the roots wouldn’t spread.
I didn’t. And, I planted it in several gardens around the house. Now, it has spread through the grass and it’s the devil to pull it out! The mint actually didn’t “double” — it’s everywhere. In fact, I think it has spread to my neighbor’s house three doors down. On the up side, when we mow the air smells delightful.
My Mamaw used mint for other things than an air freshener, though. She put it in ice tea and in lemonade. I like to put mint in my ice tea (although Mr. Tucker doesn’t particularly enjoy mint in his) but I can do without it in lemonade. Long ago, I often minced my fresh mint leaves and put a few in ice trays with water to make mint cubes. I liked putting that into a summer drink.
Mamaw also swore by a mint tea, if you had an upset stomach. I think she even put it in milk when we were little kids and had colic. She also chewed it to freshen her breath.
I got hooked on Vietnamese “salads” a long time ago, and they often have a bit of mint in them. I don’t like a lot of mint, but just a few leaves gives a salad some zip.
I also like mint in a mojito! If you haven’t had one of those Cuban highballs you should try it (if you imbibe). I only imbibe for medicinal purposes, you understand. The mint helps my upset stomach.
And, if you believe that then I have some ocean front property in Oklahoma City that you might want to buy.
I’m in the garden pulling mint, and trying to get my vegetables planted so I’m not near the computer much these days. Y’all tell me if you have some recipes involving mint (especially if they also involve bacon!). I’ve got to find some creative uses for this stuff.
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That darn stuff takes over everything in a 20-mile radius! It’s good, but quickly becomes too much of a good thing.
Mint juleps?
Mint jelly?
Cold Rice Dish w/Spinach and Herbs? Doesn’t use a LOT of mint, but it’s a great summertime side dish
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Shelly – have you ever made mint green tea? It’s my favorite kind of tea but I buy tea bags from the store. I suspect fresh mint in my tea would be even better.
I’ve got problems with grubs eating up my lawn. I am wondering if mint would keep them away.
Steve
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@ Robin, you caught me at mint julep
But, I might use that rice dish (my spinach is growing!).
@ Steve, Howard Garrett, the Dirt Doctor, has my “Bible” on environmentally friendly gardening. He suggests beneficial nematodes … which you can purchase. Here is his explanation http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/723/
[Aside: One of my Facebook readers suggested drying sprigs of mint and using it in the closet to deter moths.]
Thank you for the idea. I pretty much have a garden in pots. Think I will pot up some mint. I love mint in my sun tea
)
Carol G.s last blog post..Bitchology
Mmm, Shelly — now you’re making me want to grow mint in our garden. I’ve never grown mint before, and that’s interesting info about how it takes over everything. Quite a persistent plant, it would seem!
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I love mint tea, it helps me get to sleep at night. Of course it was also delicious in the mojito, yum. For Steve and anyone else who has a grub problem. Ivory Snow powder detergent kills them. I put it in a cheese sprinkler and sprinkle lightly over the grass now and again in 3 weeks. If you do it before rain, even better. No other detergent works, only Ivory…ciao
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In Magickal Aromatherapy peppermint is used in purification rituals, and as far back as the day of the Roman writer, Pliney, it’s been used to rouse the conscious mind. Although sipping tea with a little mint might not keep you awake at night, the scent is considered to be a mental stimulant, so avoid it before bedtime unless you want your mind working overtime!
Pennyroyal, which is in the mint family, might be better for pest control in the garden. I know it workd for aphids. I make a strong decoction (boiling it for 10 minutes or so rather than just steeping the herb), strain it and put it in a spray bottle. Works great!
If you’re tearing it out by the roots Shelly, please wrap some up and send it to me!!
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@Carol G. I am finding that I enjoy gardening in pots (but our heat hasn’t really started yet). I might find out differently when I have to water daily
@Thomma Lyn mint is persistent indeed, but I do love the smell!
@rositta THANK YOU! I didn’t know that about Ivory Snow … but is it environmentally friendly (I’m really trying to go green)
@Thorne If it is a mental stimulant, then I must go make a pot of tea! I don’t have any pennyroyal growing. I’ll look to see if I can find some!
I’m one of those that is not a fan of mint or mint flavored anything unless it’s toothpaste. It could be the toothpaste association, I don’t know!!! I’ve noticed that with a lot of herbs, especially mint and cilantro, people either love them or hate them. I never hear anyone say “Yeah, it’s ok”. Are you a cilantro fan? I love it. I could eat it plain LOL
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