Bench Card

Peppermint is a perennial, and acts as an excellent groundcover, with dark green leaves and reddish-purple blooms. It will flower from July to August. Interplant peppermint with roses as a groundcover to repel pests. Use tender, young leaves for hot and cold teas and as a garnish on fruit and dinner plates. Use fresh, frozen, or dried. Grows to 24" tall.

Carry a few mint leaves in your wallet to attract money and prosperity. The Greeks used mints to cure everything from hiccups to sea serpent stings. Although today you'll rarely need to cure a sea serpent sting, mint is an extremely useful herb. Used in gums, candies, upset stomach cures and culinary applications. Many home remedies use mint to relieve headaches, cramps, colds and bad breath.

Mints are at their peak of flavor just before they flower.  When ready to harvest your mint, do it early in the day.  Cut sprigs from the plant and swish in a sink full of cool water to remove dirt and debris.  Pat dry on paper towels.  Use a dehydrator on the lowest setting or air dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area.  Leaves will be brittle when dried completely.  Hold stem with thumb and forefinger and strip the leaves.  Store in an airtight container.  Sprigs can be picked to use in recipes as needed, or freeze leaves in ice cubes.  Harvest sprigs just before the flowers open for most intense flavor.

Companions to -- Cabbage family and tomatoes

Avoid planting by -- Cucumbers