Mint

A familiar face in our herb tunnels, and for good reason. Garden mint is one of the most popular herbs for the kitchen, with fresh-tasting leaves that are ready for the first new potatoes of June. From late spring, it produces upright stems clothed in bright green, textured leaves that release a classic minty scent when crushed.

Mint is a vigorous, spreading perennial that can reach up to 1 metre in height. It thrives in rich, moist soils and is happy in full sun or partial shade, but it doesn’t do well in very dry conditions. Its tendency to spread via underground runners means it can become invasive if not contained. We’ve found the best way to manage it on our Thurning ground is to grow it in a large container.

To keep your mint plant bushy and full of fresh leaves, regularly pinch out the growing tips. After it has finished flowering in the summer, cut the whole plant back to about 5cm from the base to encourage a fresh flush of growth. It’s an essential plant for any kitchen garden, perfect for mint sauce, summer drinks, or simply infused in hot water.