Strawberry Mint: variety description, cultivation and care with photo

Strawberry mint has a pleasant delicate aroma of ripe berries, while the plant does not have a sharp cold aftertaste. Due to the compactness and saturation of the smell, this variety is becoming more and more popular among Russian gardeners. Garden culture is unpretentious in care and cultivation, so it will not be difficult for even beginner gardeners to grow it.

Features of the variety

Strawberry mint leaves have an unusual strawberry smell and do not have a sharp aftertaste of traditional varieties. Thanks to these qualities, the plant is ideal as an ingredient for desserts, sweet dishes, drinks.The herb is used only in the field of cooking, as it does not have a bactericidal and analgesic effect.

The plant is compact, the average height of the bushes varies from 30 to 40 cm. In warm climates it can grow up to 60 cm.

Seed preparation

Mint is considered a plant that is poorly propagated by seeds. Planting material is best purchased in specialized stores. At the same time, it is recommended to purchase several bags, since in most cases gardeners face germination problems.

Self-collection of seeds is often impossible or labor intensive. Often, after planting such material, a completely different plant eventually grows, not similar to the mother variety.Seeds are buried in the ground no more than 0.5 cm, the first shoots appear after 2 or 3 weeks. For best growth, you need a temperature regime from 20 to 25 C

Choosing a landing site

Mint is a moisture-loving and light-loving plant that is demanding on the soil. In connection with such features, a sunny place with the presence of sandy or loamy soil is chosen for planting. The best precursors for growing a plant are:

• legumes;
• root crops;
• vegetables.

The soil for planting should be loose, the acidity level should be between 6 and 7 PH. In wetlands, mint is not able to take root.

Landing

Mint has good resistance to cold, so planting can be done from spring to autumn.Sowing seeds is carried out in early spring, as they freeze out in winter. The summer period is considered possible, but not recommended for planting, since in this case the plant does not have time to get stronger and form a strong root system.

Reproduction by dividing bushes or rooting cuttings is carried out in late spring. To do this, choose tall he althy shoots. Mint transplanting work can be carried out until the end of August. A later time is not recommended, as the bushes are not able to take root in a short time.

Crop care

The plant is undemanding to care and growing conditions. For good growth, it is necessary to provide timely watering and enrich the soil with humus. In the presence of sufficient heat, light and moisture, shoots develop rapidly. To save energy on watering the soil, it is recommended to mulch.

For better formation of greenery, it is necessary to feed the plant with organic, nitrogen, phosphorus fertilizers at intervals of 1 to 2 times a month.

Mint is capable of growing and occupying a large area in a short time, so the growth process must be controlled by periodically removing plants from unnecessary places. Dramatically remove plantings of mint is possible only by deep digging of the soil. To facilitate this process, experienced gardeners advise digging a sheet of slate or metal into the ground, thus fencing the territory and preventing the roots of the plant from growing beyond the territory limited by the barrier.

The need for shelter for the winter is determined depending on the climate of a particular region. At low temperatures and a small amount of snow, the plant is able to freeze, therefore, in such conditions, the plant needs shelter. Peat or sawdust can be used for insulation.

Harvest and storage of crops

For further storage, mint is harvested at the very beginning of flowering. During this period, the leaves of the plant are young and contain the maximum amount of essential oils. There are two collection methods:

• stem cut;
• Plucking or trimming individual leaves.

In the first method, you can dry the whole plant. In this case, small bundles are formed from the stems and tied at the base. Further, mint in this form is hung in a place where direct sunlight does not fall. Such a product creates a subtle aroma in the room, while the natural fragrance is natural and absolutely safe for humans.

The collected fresh grass for drying is laid out on a flat surface and allowed to dry completely. Some gardeners leave the dried plant in its original form, others achieve a homogeneous mixture by rubbing the grass. Store mint in a tightly closed container in a place that is well protected from light and moisture. The tightness of the vessel allows the plant to retain the berry aroma. Often dried mint is used as an ingredient in teas and decoctions.

Mint to add fragrance to things stored in a closet or wardrobe. To do this, the dry mixture is laid out in linen bags, which are placed in the required place. Mint can be used as a solo ingredient or used as an additional ingredient along with other fragrant herbs.

To use mint for culinary purposes, I use the freezing method. To do this, the greens are thoroughly washed, dried and placed in a bag in the freezer. For use in mojito-type drinks, they resort to making ice cubes containing finely chopped mint using special molds.

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