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Mint takes off in May and thrives so tirelessly that even the most industrious hobby gardeners can hardly keep up with the picking. We have compiled everything you need to know about harvesting and the best way to deal with the harvest surplus here for you.

Choose the time carefully - that's what matters

Choosing the harvest date has a significant impact on the quality of your mint. If you pick the leaves in the weeks of May, you will miss the inimitable aroma later. Prepared as a tea, peppermint, for example, does not come close to developing the flavor that was hoped for. You will harvest premium quality mint properly at this time:

  • the first flowering is imminent
  • it hasn't rained in the past few days
  • the morning dew has evaporated
  • the weather is overcast or the sun is not yet at its zenith

Essential oil levels are at their highest when the buds are about to open. Once the mint blooms, the leaves take on a bitter taste. If the plant has been exposed to torrential rain, it is soiled with blown up crumbs of earth. In the blazing sunshine, the valuable ingredients evaporate, which reduces the quality.

The skilful harvesting technique makes the difference

When the chosen day for the harvest has come, experienced gardeners don't just start picking. This approach has two disadvantages. Constant bending over puts unnecessary strain on your back. If you pull too hard just once while picking, you have the entire shoot with roots in your hand. You harvest correctly like this:

  • Cut off entire stems with sharp, sanitized scissors
  • at least 1 pair of leaves remains on the plant so that it sprout again
  • Picking individual leaves unnecessarily stresses the rest of the shoot
  • Do not mix different types of mint, but always harvest one type

Ideally, collect the mint stalks in a wicker basket. This not only looks appetizing, but also prevents harmful condensation.

In this way, the harvest surplus is perfectly preserved

If you harvest mint properly, the fresh shoots will pile up just before flowering. What you don't eat right away can be preserved with the following simple methods:

  • Gather mint sprigs into small bundles
  • tie with a raffia ribbon and dry upside down in the attic
  • Wash whole shoots, place on a plate and freeze in the freezer
  • Transfer to bags or cans and freeze

tips

Freeze mint in portions straight away. To do this, the washed leaves are cut up and placed in the compartments of an ice cube tray. Filled with water, they turn into mint cubes in the freezer for the preparation of food and drinks.

tips and tricks

Full sun and mint don't make a dream team. It starts with the choice of location, which is ideally semi-shady. Even if you harvest the herbal plant correctly, the sun will thwart the aroma calculation. If you dry the leaves under the warm midday sun, the refreshing taste evaporates just before the gate closes.

GTH

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Category:

Vegetable garden