Mentha spicata Fraise

The Strawberry Mint is a variety of green mint with small leaves that give off a fragrance with strawberry notes. This hardy, perennial herbaceous plant can be grown in open ground or in a pot. It will reach a height of 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24in). Its leaves flavor desserts and are also delicious when infused in tea or hot chocolate. Plant in spring or autumn, harvest from March to October.

Mint is an aromatic bushy plant with highly fragrant foliage. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like lemon balm. Preferably plant it in a semi-shaded area, although Mint can be installed almost anywhere. It is a perennial plant that will be cultivated for two or three years as, beyond that, it tends to exhaust itself and become less productive. Carefully choose the location where you want to plant it: Mint spreads very quickly thanks to its trailing roots. You can also grow it in a pot, which allows you to control its spread. It is ideal to install it in the vegetable garden as Mint is reputed to repel unwanted insects from the garden, such as aphids and ants, as well as some rodents. As for leaf harvest, it can be done throughout the year, mainly from March to October.

There are many varieties of mint, the most well-known being green mint, peppermint, pennyroyal mint, and lemon mint. Depending on the varieties, the leaves will offer you a whole range of aromas. In cooking, use them from appetizers to desserts, to flavor salads and raw vegetables, summer grills, yogurt-based sauces, or fruits. The leaves are also delicious when infused in tea or hot chocolate.

Harvest: Harvest the leaves as you need them. Choose the largest leaves and cut the entire stem to encourage regrowth. Preferably harvest in the morning to fully enjoy the aromatic qualities of the mint. If you want to dry the leaves, pick the stems before flowering.

Storage: Ideally, consume the freshly cut leaves. If you don't use the fresh leaves, dry the stems and store the leaves in a tightly closed jar, away from light.

Gardener's tip: If you want to plant mint in the vegetable garden while limiting its spread, plant it in a pot and bury the pot in the middle of your garden! Choose a large enough pot and divide the clumps regularly, in autumn or spring.