Nothing Can Beat Home Grown Flavor

"Nothing can beat the delicious flavors

Nothing can beat the sweet-smelling scents.

As I walk through my garden and savor

My emerald fields of sensuous mints."  JStergis

Nothing Can Beat Home Grown Flavor

by Zen Gardener, John

Last summer I managed to start a chocolate mint plant from seed in a very large growing pot.  I'm using cuttings from last year's plant to start some more.  The rest of the seeds from last year have not successfully germinated.  As heavenly smelling as the chocolate mint, the sweet mint and spearmint plants that I started last year are, just yesterday I discovered a peppermint and orange mint plant from a local grower.  The fragrances from those plants - in particular, the orange mint, are outrageously relaxing and wonderful to our olfactory glands.

I had not heard of an orange mint, until yesterday.  I have had minor intestinal issues throughout my life that seem to flare up as I have gotten older.  Having plants with natural digestive medicinal value, such as mints, is a bonus.  They lessen the burden of me having to take over-the-counter drugs which do have negative side effects.

The more mint aromas, the better.  A good lemon balm, bee balm, or lemon basil plant is not far behind.  Mind you, those plants are also all part of the mint family.

Their sensuous smells lift you and put you into another time, another place.  This is a perfect environment or time to discuss gardening, and books, share simple recipes or share positive life solutions.  Perhaps bring your easel and we let some paint dry on our paper or canvas?  Whatever it takes to ease our minds and build positive community connections. 

The luscious leaves of my orange mint