Picking Mint Plants – Tips for Harvesting Mint Springs

Mint plants are a common fixture in many households, and for good reason. They are strong herbs with a delightful flavor and mild fragrance that cherishes the mind. However, I’m not here to tell you about mint; instead, I’m here to guide you on how to properly harvest mint plants.

Many people struggle to keep their mint plants alive after harvest. Do you know why? It’s often due to mistakes made during the harvesting process. By now, you may have an idea of what I’m here to address.

In this informative guide, I’ve shared all the necessary tips for harvesting mint plants correctly, which will help save the parent plant after harvesting. But if you encounter any further problems despite following these tips, feel free to ask for assistance in the comment section.

Quick takeaways:

• Mint is a widespread herb all over the world and is grown in almost every gardener’s land.
• Despite its uses in the kitchen, it can even be used in various things like mouthwash, some toothpaste, etc.
• It is a good and even refreshing herb that one must have in his garden.
• Mint can be used in various forms such as in tea, recipes, desserts, even cocktails, mocktails, etc.
• Mint is easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance to do sufficiently. 

What is Mint?

Mint is a cool herb that belongs to the Mentha family. It has various varieties and is one of the fast-propagating herbs. It can be used for various purposes such as health, beauty, candies, and so on.

What else will someone go for? Gardeners, you have to grow this amazing herb in your home garden so that you can benefit from it. 

Some of the varieties of mint are: 

• Pineapple mint.
• Spearmint.
• Peppermint.
• Citrus mint.
• Pennyroyal.
• Corsican mint. 

When Can I Harvest Mint? 

Mint is one of the perennial herbs that is every farmer’s favorite choice to grow in their home garden. It will first develop into a bushy green and is a well-established herb that will not long for much time. You can even grow this herb in a container or a pot. It is also suggested to harvest them. 

But when can you harvest mint? If you know about it, then it’s gerat but if not, then you should know about it. You can easily harvest the mint leaves at the time of spring season. When the plant drops its leaves and begins to harvest early. It will keep the mint leaves fresh but if you will do it soon, then it also shows that the plant will produce great foliage in the plant. 

Mark the statement that the more you will pick the leaves, the more your herb will flourish in your garden. So, you can pick the sprigs all along in the growing season. Mint herbs tend to contain essential oils that develop a great aromatic fragrance. 

If you want the best flavor from the mint, then you have to harvest them as soon as possible. It is recommended to pick the leaves in the morning to enjoy its benefits and receive its flavor. 

Tips for Harvesting Mint Sprigs – Picking Mint Plants

As you are here to know about some of the tips for harvesting mint sprigs, make sure you read them carefully. Some of the tips are mentioned below: 

Tip 1: You have to harvest the mint timely 

Harvesting mint on time is necessary because when you maintain the plant, it will grow stronger. It will automatically result in the fast growth of its flowers. So, harvest your mint more frequently in the summertime. The mint plant will look brighter than earlier. 

Tip 2: When sprig attains a height of 3-4” tall

Folks, you can harvest the mint as you are not able to wait, for that you can proceed if the sprigs have attained the height of 3-4” tall. It will boost the growth and expansion of the mint plant in return. Give your plant a surplus of time to get fully matured and get the desirable results. 

For more such plant related-articles, you may also read, Growing Mint from Cuttings – Tips for Propagating Mint plants 

Tip 3: Water them to keep hydrated 

If you trim the sprigs they will need water for new growth as it will keep them fresh and healthy. It can even prevent the sprigs from vanishing. You are advised to place the mint in any place where they remain hydrated, such as the refrigerator. By Putting them in any plastic bag or box or container you can put them in the fridge. So, it is important to keep the mint sprigs fresh.

Tip 4: Need not worry about its length 

You can cut the mint to any length, so don’t overestimate its length. But if you pick out a single stem then it won’t boost its growth. 

How can you use the fresh mint?

Mint can be used for various purposes even in a household, beauty, health, etc. You can use the fresh mint in the following ways: 

• Mint can be used in mint tea, you can take some mint minutes and boil them in the container and have it after 4-5 minutes. 
• Mint can be used as a flavor in the cocktails and mocktails such as lime juice, fresh lime, rum, etc. 
• You can garnish the mint in salads by chopping them.
• You can use mint in various Italian dishes. 

How to store fresh mint?

Storing fresh mint is not a difficult task, all it needs is your little effort. So, if you are looking to store fresh mint, then you have to store them at a cool temperature. As per my recommendation, the refrigerator will suit them best for the storage.

You have to wrap the harvested mint leaves in any paper towel and then you have to place them in the plastic bag. If you will store the mint leaves in this way, then it would be great as they will keep the mint fresh for about 7-10 days. 

Also, you can make use of the fresh stems by keeping them in the glass. Fill the container with 1 to 1.5 inches of water into it. At the top of the container, you have to wrap a plastic bag. It is the level of humidity in the jar. You have to keep changing the water every day. In such a way, the mint leaves will last for about 10-14 days. 

How To Dry Mint? 

As you know the dry mint will not be as flavourable as the fresh mint. But if you will dry the mint leaves, then you can get the mint for later use. You can use it lately for your use, do you know how to dry the mint? If not, then I am here no worries. 

Firstly, you have to wash the stems with cold water before you begin to dry the mint. It will help in capturing all the flavors and aroma of the mint. Keep in mind not to use any type of heat when you dry the mint leaves. Otherwise, you can make use of the box fan drying method, or you can hang dry the mint leaves. 

You can hang the stems of mint in a dark place and cover it leaves in a brown paper bag. Then you have to leave the bunch so that it becomes dry. Mint leaves will take about 1-2 weeks to become dry. When you will see that the leaves crumble, then you have to remove them gently from the paper bag. 

After that, you have to separate the leaves of the mint from the dry stem. Last but not least, after you see that the mint has dried, then you have to save it for later use. You can put them in the mason jar type of container. Mix them daily by opening the jar. It will help them maintain the level of moisture in the jar. It will not cause mold in the leaves.

Binding up the context 

In this article, you come to know about the Mint which is a cool herb that belongs to the Mentha family. It has various varieties and is one of the fast-propagating herbs. It can be used for various purposes such as health, beauty, candies, and so on. I hope you will grow a mint plant and use its fresh leaves. 

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