Spearmint

Common names	Spearmint
Latin name	Mentha spicata
Life cycle	Perennial
Height	2-3 ft
Space	1-1.5 ft apart
Bloom	July to August
Light	Full sun to part shade
Soil	Rich, moist, well-drained
Zone	--
Feature	Attracts butterflies and bees

Use:
Spearmint does not contain menthol and is used mainly for flavoring. it is milder than peppermint and is a more versatile culinary mint. It is the mint refered to when recipes call for "mint." It goes well with veal, lamb, dried beans, peas, lentile, fruit salads, fruit beverages, creamy vegetable soups, steamed carrots, and new potatoes. Stuff leaves and garlic cloves under the skin of a lamb before you roast it. you can use spearmint in jellies and marinades. Add spearmint to boiling water when preparing Welsh cabbage. it is also the classic flavoring for mint juleps. The ancients added spearmint to their food to lift the spirit and prevent melancholy. Spearmint can make a nice picnic table centerpiece to deter flies.

Culture:
Mint is a tough plant and can be harvested almost as soon as it comes up in the spring. Frequent cutting will keep the mints attractive. The new young, tender leaves and stems have more flavor than older ones, which tend to become woody and bitter. It is usually harder getting rid of mints than starting them. To keep mint roots from spreading widly, transplant the mint to a gallon pot or bottomless can at least 10" deep and bury the pot with the rim at least 1" above the soil surface.

Go to Annuals List
Go to Herbs List
Go to Perennials List
Go to Home