🌿 Mint (Peppermint)

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is extremely vigorous and invasive: 🌱 Climate: Hardy perennial, USDA zones 3-11 🌱 Temperature: Very hardy; grows in most conditions 🌱 Soil: Moist, rich, pH 6.0-7.0; tolerates poor soil 🌱 Light: Full sun to partial shade 🌱 Water: Keep consistently moist; loves water 🌱 Spacing: 18-24 inches (but will spread regardless) 🌱 Container Growing: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to control invasive spread 🌱 Propagation: Cuttings, division, or runners (spreads rapidly) 🌱 Growth Rate: Extremely fast; very invasive 🌱 Height: 12-36 inches tall 🌱 Underground Runners: Spreads by rhizomes aggressively 🌱 Containment: Use buried barriers or grow only in containers 🌱 Multiple Harvests: Cut back frequently throughout season Warning: Peppermint will take over entire garden beds - contain it!

Peppermint dries easily and retains strong menthol scent: ☀️ Harvest Timing: Just before flowering for maximum oil content ☀️ Best Time: Morning after dew dries ☀️ Cutting: Harvest entire stems, leaving 1-2 inches of growth ☀️ Bundling: Tie small bundles, hang upside down ☀️ Location: Warm, dark, well-ventilated area ☀️ Duration: 1-2 weeks ☀️ Dehydrator: 95-110°F (35-43°C) for 2-4 hours ☀️ Test: Leaves should crumble easily ☀️ Color: Should remain bright green ☀️ Magical Timing: Harvest on Wednesday (Mercury day) for money magic ☀️ Multiple Harvests: Can harvest 3-4 times per season Properly dried peppermint retains strong menthol aroma.

Peppermint stores very well: 🏺 Container: Airtight glass jar 🏺 Location: Cool, dark, dry place 🏺 Shelf Life: 1-2 years 🏺 Whole Leaves: Store whole; crush when needed 🏺 Light Protection: Preserves color and menthol content 🏺 Label: Mark with harvest date 🏺 Potency: Well-stored mint stays powerfully aromatic 🏺 Magical Storage: Keep with other prosperity herbs or Mercury herbs Signs of Degradation: • Loss of strong menthol scent • Yellowing or browning • Dusty texture • Hay-like smell Quality peppermint maintains cooling energy and scent for 2+ years.