Question
This is my followup question:

   Thank you for your advice.  I forgot to mention thyme.  Should that be brought in and potted with the basil and cilantro?   And regarding the lemon balm and mint; should I pot them in cans under the ground to keep from spreading or remove them from the garden to another solitary place to prevent mutiny?
  Thanks again for your time.
Zoe








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Followup To
Question -
I live in Atlanta GA and just planted my first herb garden on July19th.  I know it's late in the season but it was spur of the moment and it's hot here for so long I thought they'd establish themselves before the frost.
  I've been reading about mulching and how it prevents weeds from growing and protects roots from low temperatures.  I think all herbs are perrennials; I have spicy globe basil, lemonbalm, lemon verbena, cilantro, oregano, lavender, rosemary, feverfew, puple sage and "regular" sage, st. john wart, and catnip.  They get full sun and I'm watering them as requested by their directions card.
 My questions are should I dig them up and bring them inside or should I mulch and let them lie dormant?  
 I've heard most rosemary is hearty and should be able to stand temps down to 20 degrees and I have many bushes in the neighborhood that survive year round. But the lavender and such?
  I'd appreciate your advice.
 Zoe, Atlanta GA
Answer -
Zoe:
You still have time to have an herb garden because of the good weather we are having.Basil, lemon verbena and cilantro are tender. The best way to keep lemon verbena to return next year is to pot it up and place in a sunny window. It will die back but roots will die back and return next year. Keep moist, but not soaking wet weekly. Lemon balm;oregano; lavender; st. johnswort;catnip;sages ; feverfew and rosemary are hardy. The hardy rosemarys are called "Arp" and "Hardy Hill". They will take below 20 degrees. Any other variety may make it if planted on the east or south. Protect from the north winds. Do not mulch heavily. Lavender may be hardy depending on the name. Add a handful of ground limestone to the soil around the lavender.
Feed plants every 3 weeks with a liquid fish fertilizer. No chemical food. Space plants at least 2 feet apart or prune 1/3 of the new growth on each branch every 3 weeks. Plant lemon balm by itself. It will choke out any plants around it. Ignore the watering on the plant cards. The rain is doing a great job. It is also important that they all receive morning sun first, and afternoon sun later.

Leroy

Answer
Zoe:
The thyme should be kept outdoors. It doesn't do well inside without a full sun location and fresh air circulating. It can easily be over watered. Most thymes are hardy and will return every year. Keep 1/3 of the new growth pruned to keep a healthy plant. A space all by itself will be good. It will find a way to come above ground in about 3 years. They also drop ther seeds if flowers are not cut off. Some mint recipes:
Mint, Lemon Balm
( Melissa officinalis L. )

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Abejera          
Balm
Bee balm          
Cha de franca          
Cidrilha          
Cidronela          
Erva cidreira
Erva cidreira italiana
Melisa
Melissa
Melissa romana
Sweet balm
Toronjil


Native to Southern Europe and commonly grown in European gardens.
Introduced into cultivation in the eastern USA and naturalized from Maine to Georgia and Missouri. Cultivated in cool regions of Latin America, West Indies, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Medicinal Use:

In Quinta Crespo, Caracas and Venezuela, the carefully dried leaves are stripped from stems and packed in small plastic bags for sale in the markets. The vendors say the decoction will not only aid digestion, but will also promote weight loss and recommend it to stout people. Externally, the decoction is applied on wounds, bruises and ulcers.

In Yucatan, an infusion of 2 to 4 g of leaves in 130 cc of water is taken 1/3 at a time after  each meal to promote digestion and dispel gas. The infusion is drunk several times a day as an antispasmodic, remedy for intestinal colic, palpitations and coronary pain.

Brazilians take a sweeten leaf infusion for digestion, gas, tonic for nervous system, sedative in cases of agitation, hysteria, insomnia and headache.

In Argentina, the hot plant decoction is held in the mouth to relieve a  toothache. The lukewarm decoction is given as an enema in cases of bloody diarrhea. Hot poultices of the plant are placed on the abdomen to ease pains in the stomach, intestines, liver and uterus. Fresh leaves are placed on the eyelids and the plant decoction used as eyewash to relieve eye inflammation. Juice of fresh leaves is dropped into the eyes to clarify vision.

Growing:

The seeds germinate very slowly. Plants from seed develop very slowly in the initial period.  Plants older than 1 year start to develop only after the warming of the weather in the spring. The flowering period is rather long, and lasts from early July to middle August. The flowers generate much nectar, so it is a good honey  producer. The seeds start to ripen unevenly from the end of August, and fall away easily.

Lemon balm loves warm weather and sunshine. It can bear temperatures of -20? If weather is a long lasting and wet, the older roots will be severely damaged. It will be slower in returning, but once it starts you will have it in abundance. It can be cultivated in any soil, except extremely poor ones. It is sensitive to excessive or inadequate water levels in the soil.

Lemon balm usually grows well in one location for 6 to 8 years, depending on soil and light conditions.  Lemon balm leaves turns brown quickly when harvested. Dry at 45?to 50?in an artificial drier.

Herbman's Notes:

For beginners; This is a very evasive plant. Start with a wide and deep pot with your first plant. Since it has 25% to 50% citronella in it, use as a mosquito plant on your porch. When the pot is completely full, take a sharp knife and cut the plant into 4 sections, like cutting a cake into slices. This won't hurt the plant.

Place more composted soil back in the pot and 1 slice of the mint in the center. Make 3 more pots, plant in the ground, or give them away. REMEMBER, if you plant  them in the ground be ready for it to take over in a few years. Plant around the inside border of the dog yard, under or around the patio in a contained system.

The potted soil should be well-rotted compost or good garden soil with bagged manure added (many garden centers carry it, never use fresh). I feed every 3 weeks with a fish/seaweed fertilizer.

Mosquitoes, fleas and ticks do not like this plant. Place the leaves in your pet's bed. Make an infusion by putting leaves in a blender with water, blend well and strain. Put in spray bottle and spray your pet. No formula on the amount of leaves and water to use.          

I use ( 1 ) big handful of leaves and stems to 4 cups of water to start. This same liquid can be used in his bath water. Spray the kitchen sink ( watch spray on light colored counter tops, it may give a green tint ) for that lemony scent and any appliance in the kitchen or bath toilet, shower, sink and last your own lemon balm bath.   :-)          ( SEE HOW TO USE YOUR SCENTS ).

I also make a strong solution for my clothing when working in the garden or going camping. I put leaves in my socks around the ankles and in all my pockets and cap. I place leaves inside my head bandana also. ( If you have sensitive skin, do not use it in any way stated here).

If your pet sleeps on your bed and you want lemon balm linen, use the same mixture and soak your linen over night in the washer (Use old or dark color sheets and other clothing to test staining). I can't tell you how long the scent will last, but better than the artificial stuff.

For breakfast, its lemon balm pancakes, waffles, muffins and whatever. (See Herbman's Herbal Pancakes). Now you can just :o)          

This selection is from Well-Sweep Herb Farm..908-852-5390
205 Mt. Bethel Road; Port Murray,New Jersey...07865...Cat-$2.00

Apple          Mentha suaveolens
Austrian          Mentha sp.
Banana          Mentha sp.
Bergamot....................................厖?..Mentha piperita ssp.
Blue Balsam (Peppermint)..  ..... ?Mentha piperita ssp.
Chinese (Bo-He).......................厖?...Mentha haplocalyx
Chocolate..................................厖厖...Mentha x piperita 'Mitcham'
Corsican....................................厖?......Mentha requienii
Curly...........................................厖?..Mentha spicata 'Crispii'
Curly, Green.............................厖......Mentha spicata 'Crispata'
Eau de Cologne.........................?.....Mentha piperita 'Eau de Cologne
Egyptian......................................厖...Mentha nilia
Epicurean...................................厖....Mentha epicuratus
Ginger.........................................厖?..Mentha gentilis
Grapefruit...................................厖...Mentha suaveolens x piperita
Habek (Naa Naa)......................?....Mentha longifolia 'Habak'
Hillary's Sweet Lemon....................Mentha sp.'Hillary's Sweet Lemon'
Horsemint, Punctata.......................Monarda punctata
Hypocalyx........................................Mentha hypocalyx
Jamaican Mint..................................Satureja viminea
Japonica...........................................Mentha japonica
Japanese Field mint.........................Mentha arvensis piperescens
Korean Mint.....................................Agastache rugosa
Lavender Mint.................................Mentha piperita lavendula
Lime.................................................Mentha piperita citrata sp.
Mint balm.......................................Elsholtzia stauntonii
Mountain........................................Pycnanthemum muticum
Mountain .......................................Pycnanthemum pilosum
Mountain, Compact.........................Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Orange............................................Mentha piperita citrata sp.
Peppermint............... .....................Mentha piperita
Peppermint, 'Todd Mitchum'..........Mentha piperita'Todd Mitchum'
Peppermint, Variegated..................Mentha piperita 'Variegata'
Pineapple........................................Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'
Silver, Himalayan.............................Mentha sp.
Spearmint, Fuzzy.............................Mentha spicata
Spearmint, Kentucky Colonel........Mentha spicata'Kentucky Colonel'
Spearmint, large-leaf.......................Mentha spicata ssp.
Spearmint, Red Scotch....................Mentha spicata 'Scotch'
Vietnamese.......................................Mentha x gracilis
Watermint........................................Mentha aquatica

         






Daniella's Grapefruit Mint Bush
( Latin name ? )

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Matrang          Noisy Bur          Spikenard
Mastranto          Pug Nut          Sangura

I received a cutting of this plant 3 years ago from Daniella of Haiti. The  plant has the strongest grapefruit scent that I have ever smelled. I was told it is used for the digestive system.  

Leaf teas for colds, flu, fever, yellow fever, malarial fever, constipation, menorrhagia. Bath of the leaves for flu. Menthol-containing volatile oil of leaves is carminative, stimulant, expectorant, cooling analgesic used externally. Used in nervous and visceral disorders, stomach ache, ingestion, fluttering heart. Leaf decoctions are for improving appetite, halt nausea, stomach ache, and indigestion.
         
Mint continued to be an important aromatic herb in medieval times. Water mint was used in homes for fragrance because of its strong scent. The scent is stronger than spearmint or peppermint. Peppermint and spearmint came to the New World with the Colonists, who used them medicinally.          

Along with Japanese mint, peppermint is the source of the commercially and medicinally important menthol. Spearmint  does not contain menthol, is used only for flavor. Taking a few drops of mint oil, sipping hot mint tea, or drinking warm milk heated with fresh or dried peppermint leaves is said to calm an upset stomach or relieve muscle spasms such as menstrual cramps. Peppermint is 50% to 78% menthol.          

Spearmint and curly mint are the more versatile culinary mints. Milder than peppermint, they enhance all sorts of meats or vegetable dishes. Apple mint and pineapple mint have slightly fruity flavors. They are particularly good choices for garnishing drinks and adding zest to fruit salads or cottage and cream cheeses.

Some connoisseurs believe that Corsican mint has the true blue mint flavor. It is the mint originally used to make creme de menthe. Mint is popular in Greek, Arabic, Indian, North African and Middle Eastern food. Bergamot mint is sweeter smelling. Sometimes used to scent perfumes and soaps, another one of its common names is Eau de Cologne mint. Spearmint and peppermint are often listed as good  repellent planting for aphids, flea beetles, and various cabbage pests. ( Never plant mint in garden, unless you don't care about it taking over. Aphids will attack mint.

Use homemade insect spray for them. Mice is also not a lover of areas where peppermint, spearmint or English pennyroyal are growing. With the exception of Corsican mint, all others are rampart growers. Because of cross breeding, seeds don't always produce the exact species or variety promised.          

Take cuttings in the spring and summer and divide the bed in the fall. Mints love plenty of moisture, but do not dress the soil with fresh manure or too much organic matter, as this will encourage rust. Frequent cuttings will keep your plants at their prettiest. Keep flowers cut, less chance of bees cross pollinating.  After your final harvest in the late fall or early winter, cut back plants to 1" or 2" from the ground. If your area has severe winters, cover beds with pine needles or straw.

You want good drainage for the mints. If kept water logged too long, the roots will rot. If you can't do this in your soil, cut out a 6" square and put into at least a 12" deep pot and sit against the south or east side of a building. Here you can cover the pot with clear plastic with a few holes cut into the top for air and some water.
Always harvest the young tender leaves for the best flavor. Peppermint does not produce seed. The peppermint seed pack that you buy is a sterile hybrid of Mentha spicata (Spearmint).

Using your Mint

Spearmint and curly mint are more versatile culinary mints. They enhance all sorts of meats, fish or veggie dishes. They mingle well with veal, mint jelly, syrups, devil's food cake, frostings, ice cream, sherbert, custard, candies, hot chocolate, punches, sauces for dessert,  eggplant, white beans, black beans, lentils, cracked wheat salads, fruit salads, fruit beverages and creamy veggie soups.          
Stuff fresh mint leaves and small garlic cloves beneath the skin of a roasting lamb before you cook it, or use the mint in a marinade. Add mint to steam carrots or new potatoes. Try mint in boiling water before cooking cabbage. Dried mint adds a nice touch to split pea soup, forget the salt.

Suggested amounts to use in various dishes:

( Dried mint flakes are said to be stronger, experiment )
1/4 to 1/2 teasp., crushed, in chocolate pudding mix or recipe using about 2 cups milk.
1/4 to 1 teasp., crushed, in a  2-layer white cake recipe.          1/2 to 1-1/2 teasp., crushed, in a 2-layer chocolate cake recipe
1/4 to 1 teasp., crushed, to 2 cups of peas.
1/4 teasp. in lamb stew to 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of meat.
1/4 to 1 teasp. to 3 to 4 cups of fruit.
1/2 teasp. to 1 quart of tea or fruit beverages.
         

Mint Remedies

(GAS)..................................................Drink a cup of peppermint tea.

(BAD BREATH)....................................Chew a few leaves and stems.

(CHAPPED HANDS)..........................Wash rough skin with spearmint tea

(SORE MOUTH OR THROAT)................Gargle with spearmint tea.

(BEE STINGS OR OTHER INSECT BITES).......Lay crushed mints leaves on the bite.