Summer has arrived according to the mint plants – they have doubled in size and started their rambling throughout the garden. Of course the varieties are numerous from the common, old fashioned, peppermint, spearmint, apple mint and chocolate mint there is always a flavour to add to your salads, infuse for tea or just enjoy the vigorous growth and colour they add to the garden.

The common mint is small and almost fury leaf in appearance while the old-fashioned is a rambling plant with a burgundy stem. The old-fashioned is great for cooking and Sarah recommends using the peppermint for savoury foods and the other mints for sweet dishes.

Some suggestions:

  • Great to pop some chocolate mint in the chocolate cake mixture to infuse the flavours
  • Crushed mint infused in water is a cooling drink after a day outside
  • Mint has antibacterial and antifungal properties
  • When planting out dig a bigger than usual hole and plant the mint deep in the ground to keep the plant moist – mint loves water and sun
  • Plant the mint along a path or walkway so it doesn’t take over the garden – but in saying that Sarah suggests that mint growth is connected with water supply

DON’T FORGET THE RECIPES FROM TODAYS SHOW ARE ON THE RECIPE PAGE OF THIS SITE – LOOK FOR THE DATE

Great recipes using Edamame Pods and Chick Peas along with garden greens

+ a little tip I found in the Supermarket recipe book – an easy crumb technique using yoghurt and fresh  Rosemary and day old bread