Menthol mint is one of the many varieties of the crop. Today, such a plant can be found in the garden plots of many Russian gardeners, due to the special properties of the plant. To avoid problems during cultivation, it is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance with simple rules for planting and caring for a unique medicinal herb.
Characteristics of the plant
Menthol mint is a type of perennial plant.It is distinguished from other representatives of varieties by its unique taste and aroma of freshness and coolness, which is due to the rich content of essential oils in the plant.
The following features are characteristic of a garden crop with menthol properties:
- branched root system;
- straight stem with the formation of a cavity inside;
- ovoid leaves;
- the formation of small inflorescences of a light purple hue at the time of flowering.
Under favorable growing conditions, plant height can reach 1 m. Wild bushes have a much more modest indicator, and their height does not exceed 40 cm.
Beneficial features
Mint today is widely used in various fields of human activity, including cooking, medicine, and cosmetology.
Many gardeners use the herb in making delicious teas or as an ingredient to treat many types of ailments.
This component is found in recipes for first and second courses, and mint is considered indispensable for preparing many cocktails.
Useful properties of the plant:
- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- sedative;
- antispasmodic.
The active substances in the plant can have a healing effect against angina pectoris, neuroses, and various inflammatory diseases. In traditional medicine recipes, mint is used to prepare decoctions and tinctures, medicinal teas as an independent ingredient or as part of a mixture of herbs. Fragrances for clothing and fragrances are often prepared from the herb to eliminate unpleasant odors in the room.
Seed preparation
Mint seeds are sown in the ground or using the method of growing seedlings. For planting, choose small containers and fertile soil. To get results, it is important to purchase good planting material.The seeds of the plant are quite small, so they are not pre-treated.
The plant reproduces well by cuttings. The shoots are cut off when they form at least 5 leaves. The cuttings are placed in fertile soil and transplanted as they take root.
Preparing the landing site
Menthol mint prefers loose, fertile soil and is demanding of sufficient light. For planting, choose a sunny, open area. The culture can grow on calcareous soils and in shady conditions, but the properties of the plant in the form of rich aroma may be reduced. The garden crop does not tolerate heavy soil with clay.
Before planting, the area must be prepared. To do this, remove weeds and remnants of previous plantings. The soil needs to be enriched with a complex of mineral fertilizers. If the place is subject to excessive moisture, then the beds are raised above the ground.
Sowing
Sowing is carried out in the spring at the beginning of April when grown by seedlings. Sowing directly into the ground is done in early summer after the soil has warmed up or in early August. You should not sow too often, as this will lead to thickening of the plantings. It is recommended to moisten the soil well before planting, since watering after planting can lead to the seeds going deeper.
It is worth considering that mint multiplies quite quickly and can behave like a weed.
Due to this feature, it is necessary to take into account the degree of proximity to other plants.
Cultivation care
Caring for garden crops is standard and does not require special growing skills. Even novice gardeners can get a harvest of medicinal herbs.Once every 3 years, additional planting is carried out, since weeds lead to the effect of thinning mint plantings. Plants are fed with nitrogen-phosphorus preparations for better yield, this is done during the growing season.
In autumn, it is recommended to mulch the soil with dry soil or cover it with straw for better wintering of the crop.
Features of watering
Mint does not require watering. If there is sufficient natural precipitation, the plantings are watered 2 times a month. In hot weather conditions, the time of the next irrigation is determined by the degree of moisture evaporation.
Loosening
For better penetration of moisture and oxygen into the soil, it is necessary to carry out periodic loosening. The frequency depends on the quality of the soil and the amount of precipitation. In most cases, the work of weeding and loosening is combined.
Weeding
Weeding is carried out as needed. It is impossible to allow mint plantings to become overgrown with weeds, since this will reduce the volume of mint green mass.
Diseases
Mint is susceptible to various types of diseases. The most common are rust, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and fusarium.
Untimely adoption of measures is fraught with the death of plantings, a decrease in the yield of the formed green mass, and a decrease in the content of essential oils.
For the fight, mainly folk recipes are used, since the use of chemicals makes consuming mint impossible.
Pests
The most dangerous pests of mint are the mint flea beetle, mint leaf beetle, aphids and leafhoppers. The optimal control measures are to periodically replant the plant, destroy diseased bushes, and cut off greenery before pests begin to appear.To increase the resistance of mint, it is recommended to enrich the soil with fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus.
Harvest and storage
Collection is carried out in dry, windless weather. The crop is harvested in the form of individual leaves or whole shoots. For storage, choose the method of drying or freezing. To use it to add a fresh aroma indoors, the stems of the plant are tied and hung in an inconspicuous place with access to air.
To use it later as an ingredient for decoctions or cocktails, lay the herb on a flat surface and wait until it dries completely. When freezing, use ordinary plastic containers or plastic bags.
