Harvest mint correctly

Do you know when is the best time to harvest mint? We'll tell you - and also how best to proceed with the harvest.

If you grow mint in your own garden, 

you can harvest it from spring to autumn - whether for fresh mint tea, 

delicious cocktails or as a cooking ingredient. 

But where do you put the scissors, 

when is the best time for it and how do you best store the mint afterwards?

When is the best time to harvest mint?

In principle, mint can be harvested throughout the entire season, i.e. 

from spring to autumn - whenever you want to use the fresh herb in the kitchen. 

The young shoots are usually harvested and the plants continue to grow. 

If you cut the mint for harvesting, 

for example because you want to dry larger quantities as a winter supply, 

there are some things to consider: It is best to harvest the shoots between June and July, 

before the plants start flowering. 

This is because the content of healthy ingredients such as essential oils, 

tanning agents or flavonoids is highest shortly before flowering. 

Also choose a dry, sunny day and harvest in the late morning. 

In this way you will ensure that the harvested plant parts have an optimal concentration of the ingredients. 

Cut the shoots back to about half when pruning, 

so that the plants can still regenerate for further harvests in summer. 

Use sharpened and clean garden scissors, 

larger household scissors or a herb sickle for this purpose.

Friedrich Strauss The best time for harvesting mint is in June/July, as that is when the content of essential oils is highest

When harvesting the main crop, make sure to leave some of the mint shoots 

standing completely so that the plants can form flowers. 

These are until far into late summer popular bee food and attract also many other 

flower visitors among the insects as magically. 

In addition, the small, mostly light purple flowers are edible and have a delicate mint taste. 

They can be used to decorate for example desserts or salads.

Harvest mint: The most important facts in brief

1. Mint can be harvested from spring until the first frost.
2. The best period for harvesting is before flowering (in June/July). This is when the leaves contain the most essential oils.
3. Cut back the shoots by about half, then the plant can regenerate quickly.
4. Do not harvest all the shoots, but leave some of them to stand and flower. The bees will thank you for it!
5. Use sharp garden shears or a herb sickle for harvesting.

Tip: Dry mint after harvesting

After harvesting, you should use your mint quickly, preferably the same day. 

If necessary, you can store the leaves in a shady place for a maximum of one day, 

but not longer, as the leaves will otherwise wilt and lose their aroma. 

If you want to preserve the mint by drying it, 

you can dry the harvest hanging in bouquets or separate the leaves from the 

stems and spread them on grids or put them in an automatic dryer, 

depending on the space available. 

The drying place should be warm and airy, but no more than 40 degrees Celsius. 

If mint is dried too hot, many essential oils are lost. 

Avoid also too strong, direct sunlight. 

Only when the leaves are rustling and brittle is the mint dry enough to be 

transferred to cans or other closable storage containers. 

Keep the dried mint dark in any case.

iStock/Shaiith Hang the mint after harvesting in a warm, airy place to dry

By the way: Smaller amounts of mint, for example for a refreshing summer cocktail, 

you can also simply fill ice cube forms with a little water and then freeze the mint. 

This is not only practical and gives the cocktails a fresh note, but also looks good.