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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v15n16)
Right in my Own Backyard - A Tamable Herb - by Brandt Carter
posted: Aug. 03, 2018

Right in my Own Backyard header

A Tamable Herb
If you want a wonderfully easy-to-grow herb for your garden, albeit one that comes with a challenge, try Mint. Let me explain. I happen to enjoy all I can do with mint, spearmint, and peppermint, but invasiveness can make these the bad boy herbs. Considering all the benefits, taming is worth the effort.
Mint is one of the oldest recorded plants in history with references found in Greek, Roman, and Biblical literature. Its name comes from Latin menthe or Greek minthe. In Greek mythology, Minthe, a river nymph, was the love desire of Hades, god of the underworld. However, Persephone (a statue in Holcomb Gardens at our neighboring Butler University), Hades' wife, discovered his desires and jealously turned Minthe into a plant so everyone would trample and walk on her. Hades was unable to undo the spell his wife had cast so he bestowed the plant with an appealing aroma to smell beneath his feet.
Throughout history mint has been used to treat many ills including indigestion and heartburn as well as to inhibit the growth of various bacteria and fungi, ease breathing, relieve symptoms of colds and flu, relieve congestion, act as a mild sedative, combat bad breath, and help treat minor itching and skin irritation. Sounds like a cure-all doesn't it? But think about how many household and personal products have mint flavor: candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, coffees, ice cream, cough drops, chewing gum, and alcohol. It also scents lotions, shaving cream, and cleansers.
There are more than 600 known varieties of mint. Indiana ranks fourth in the country for growing peppermint and fifth in production of spearmint. Some mints you might want to include in your garden are spearmint, peppermint, common mint, apple mint, pineapple mint, orange or chocolate mint, and pennyroyal. Just remember, plant the mint in a location where an out-of-control plant doesn't matter. Although mint behaves in my yard, many gardeners dislike its unruly spreading. To control mints, plant them in a container or sink a clay pot in the ground to bind its roots.
Using mints in my kitchen began years ago when I planted them in my first herb garden. Mints are a staple for garnishing lemonade, iced tea, or a dessert. It's also fun to freeze mint leaves in ice cubes. I like to sprinkle chopped mint leaves in lettuce or fruit salad for a burst of flavor. Ice cold watermelon chunks sprinkled with fresh mint makes a great combination. Fresh peas with a bit of mint are quite nice. I also like to make mint jelly - sometimes hard to find in the store - simply following the Sure-Jell recipe. I have candied mint leaves but the process is tedious, chewing a mint leaf in the garden is revitalizing on a hot day of weeding.
In the Victorian day's each flower and plant had a meaning. Bouquets would be built to send messages. Mint had it place in the language. Can you guess its meaning? Mint was included to express the sentiment of virtue; peppermint and spearmint, a message of warmth and cordiality. Tuck a mint sprig in a bouquet you give a friend or neighbor! I hope some of my readers add this herb to their backyard this year. The mint family has abundant uses and their behavior will inspire your gardening stories.



Brandt Carter, artist, herbalist, and naturalist, owns Backyard Birds at 2374 E. 54th Street. Visit her web site www.feedbackyardbirds.com. Email your bird questions to Brandt@BroadRippleGazette.com




brandt@broadripplegazette.com
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