Don’t forget to pot up some Parsley for Winter. Just dig up a few roots and pop them up in pots. Snip off half of the leaves so that they have chance to spring back and put them in your cold frame or greenhouse. There, they can over-winter and you’ll have Parsley all year round. Very useful for all those hearty Fish Pies I’m planning on making.
You can do the same with Mint, Oregano and Chives. Nothing like fresh Mint in your Mojito at Christmas huh?
At this time of year I always have loads of Mint. I have a patch growing in an old stone trough and every year it comes back with lovely fragrant lush green leaves. Nothing says summer’s here like some fresh Mint from the garden in a tall glass of Pimms and lemonade.
But…while I could spend my days drinking Pimms in the garden (and believe me sometimes I really want to!) I fear it may impede my skills as a mother. One has to stay focused and totally not inebriated when one is looking after one’s child - I’m sure I read that somewhere.
So what to do with all the Mint? Mint tea of course. The ladies in the book I’m reading ‘Larkrise to Candleford’ say it’s good for the soul. And so it is. Not in a medicinal way, although I’m sure Mint tea has many claims, but in a ‘aaah that’s nice and gosh aren’t I clever because I actually grew it myself,’ sort of way.
So here’s my Mint Tea recipe - less of a recipe, more a bunch of instructions. Stand by.
Mint Tea
- 2 long sprigs of Mint (the more you add the more minty it will be)
- 2 cups of water
- Honey
- Slice of Lemon
- Your favourite teacup and saucer (optional)
Put the Mint leaves (or the whole sprig) in the water and bring to the boil. The water will turn yellowy green. Then strain into a teacup. Add some honey and a slice of Lemon. Drink it while sitting in your garden, you deserve it!
Anyone else got any Minty recipes?
