Mint is a fast-growing perennial herb, often growing up to 3 feet tall, and can be quite invasive. It’s popular for flavoring food and beverages, making tea, and in medicinal remedies for digestion and headaches. Mint is easy to grow both indoors and outdoors, making it a great addition to any vegetable garden.
Harvesting mint is easy and should be done regularly. In this article, we’ll guide you on when and how to harvest and store mint properly for fresh and long-term use!
When Should I Harvest Mint?
Mints can be picked as soon as the plants are established, typically when they are 3-4 inches tall, it grows really fast, and you can expect the next harvest within a week or so.
- You can harvest mint as needed throughout its growing season, which can be from spring to late fall, depending on your location.
- Harvest mint when its oils reach their peak of flavor late in the morning on dry, sunny days. The youngest, smallest leaves tend to be the most flavorful.
- Harvest mint before it starts to bloom to control its spread and ensure the highest oil content. If your mint starts to flower, cut it back to within 1 inch of the soil, which can be done two to three times a year. Before winter, cut each plant back to the ground to discourage pests and diseases, and it will grow back vigorously in the spring.
How to Harvest Mint?
Frequent harvesting by cutting back stems keeps mint fuller and more vigorous, with the new growth having the most flavorful leaves. How you harvest mint depends on what you are using it for.
Here are the steps I use to harvest mint in my garden:
- For a Few Sprigs of Mint: Use a sharp knife, scissors, or even your fingers to remove leaves and stems. Keep in mind that the youngest leaves and stems are the most flavorful.
- For a Large Harvest: Cut the stems all the way down to the bottom of the plant, within 1 inch of the soil.
- Harvest mint regularly: The more you harvest, the bushier the plant will grow, producing more flavorful foliage.
How to Store Mint
Store Fresh Mint
There are many ways to store fresh mint. My favorite method is to simply place the stems in a glass of water and keep them away from direct sunlight, which keeps mint fresh for 3-7 days. Alternatively, you can store fresh mint in the refrigerator:
- Rinse the mint leaves gently under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Wrap the mint leaves in a damp paper towel or kitchen towel.
- Place the wrapped mint leaves in a plastic bag and seal it.
- Store the bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
Fresh mint can last up to one week in the refrigerator when stored properly.
Dry Mint
- Harvest the mint leaves and discard any damaged or discolored leaves.
- Tie the mint stems together with twine or string, I prefer a rubber band because it will hold the stems tightly when it drier.
- Hang the mint stems upside down in a warm, dry and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
- Allow the mint to dry completely, which can take up to two or three weeks.
- Remove the dried leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.
Dried mint can last up to 1 year when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Freeze Mint
- Rinse the mint leaves gently under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Chop the mint leaves finely or leave them whole.
- Place the chopped or whole mint leaves in an ice cube tray.
- Fill the tray with water and freeze it.
- Once the ice cubes are frozen, remove them from the tray and store them in a plastic bag in the freezer.
Frozen mint can last up to 1 year when stored properly.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to label your mint with the date it was harvested or stored. Properly stored mint can last for several months. For the drying method, I recommend using your mint within 6 months. If you want to use it longer, crush a bit in your hand and smell it. If the aroma is still good, it’s fine to use; otherwise, it’s time to discard it and prepare a new batch. Happy harvesting!
