Pull out an empty ice cube tray and place two to three mint leaves into each section, filling it about halfway. Depending on how much sun your basil gets, you might need to water your basil plant every 1-2 days. There’s nothing like enjoying mint leaves when they are fresh, but if you have a lot of mint to deal with, drying or dehydrating the leaves is an option. leaves turning brown while dry is fine. The traditional method involves coarsely chopping fresh mint leaves and placing a couple teaspoons of mint into ice cube trays. So thanks! Welcome to StreetSmart Kitchen where we learn to be smart, efficient and most importantly, have fun in the kitchen. I’ll be sure to add other ways as I discover them. Use mulch to help conserve water and keep the leaves clean. When to Start Overwintering Plants in Pots Most houseplants are tropical plants, which enjoy a little “summer vacation” in pots on your patio or deck. Basil tends to get fairly leggy and tries to set seeds so I clip off a hardy stem and start the process over again. Preserving Mint Sprigs in Water Wash the mint gently. Love the idea exchange. Cheers ~, Thanks Faiza for your comment! Here is another video for all of you who's new to house plants. I buy live herbs at the grocery store for 2.99 each and repeatedly try—but fail—to keep them alive for more than two weeks in my kitchen. Let’s face it, some of us believe dried herbs can’t hold a candle to their fresh counterparts. Once you’ve bruised and coarsely chopped the mint, slowly add 1 cup of sugar, stirring and blending along the way. Cut a healthy sprig about 3 inches long from your mint plant. I have had great luck with freezing basil leaves whole. This is one of my all-time favorite savory meal hacks. This is the perfect solution if you don’t want to go out and buy fresh mint every time you crave a mojito or aromatic pasta sauce. Trim the end of the stems and cut off any leaves that are close to the ends. If you ever come across one, I’d be so grateful if you shared it! While wasted herbs are tragic, here’s the silver lining: you’re about to learn a few simple tricks to store fresh mint and increase the shelf life of other herbs for up to several weeks or months. hang it somewhere and use it whenever you need it. A little plant tray that will keep the access water under control is a very good investment. I dried a lot of my mint last year, and I have been enjoying cups of brewed mint tea throughout the year. Place the wrapped mint into a plastic freezer bag. you already know it. I am gonna have to try it. I just brought home some mint and thought, “gee, that trick might work (in a jar of water), I wonder if they’ll get mildewy.” Seeing how it’s been a success for you, I’m going to give it a shot. How to Grow Mint . Cover and allow 2 to 3 days for the oils to infuse the sugar. Begin rolling the wrap on the short end, rolling the leaves in with the wrap. Check the infusion for desired potency each day, and when it’s ready, just strain and store either at room temperature or in the fridge. Thanks a lot David for sharing your experience! Store the ice cubes in freezer bags. It is pretty hard to kill a mint plant. For chives, thyme, oregano, and mint, simply shake off most of the garden soil from the roots, re-pot the plant with good organic potting soil, and set it near a sunny window. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and use as needed. What’s the Best Coconut Aminos Substitute: Soy Sauce or Tamari? She blogs at Holly & Flora, where she writes about cultivating, cocktailing, and creating, from garden to glass. This is an important step! Temperatures may be dropping, but that doesn’t mean we have to bid farewell to our herb gardens. 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