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#48207 May 20th, 2007 at 04:25 AM
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Well I did say the other day that I was looking for a place to put the chocolate mint outside since it was outgrowing it's pot. So today I noticed that something had stepped on 1 1/2 of my tomato plants and they had died. So I took that two feet of space and planted my chocolate mint there. And it took up the entire 2 feet lol. Now as it grows I'll just prune it to go up the hill and with luck I'll have a bunch of chocolate mint come this fall. At least that is my hope.



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tkhooper #48213 May 20th, 2007 at 04:34 AM
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I've heard that chocolate mint is invasive. Is it really?


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Sunflowers #48249 May 20th, 2007 at 07:10 AM
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Tamara, I think it is invasive. I think all the mints like to take over.



Bestofour #48251 May 20th, 2007 at 07:11 AM
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Tk, does it need full sun? You sent me some a while back that I haven't planted yet. One more ?. Will it return next year?



Bestofour #48331 May 20th, 2007 at 08:54 AM
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Well it's the blind leading the blind here folks. But I'll tell you what I've read and observed so far ok?

One, chocolate mint does not breed true from seed. That means that if you plant yours Bestofour I have no idea what you will get. Not that, that is necessarially a bad thing. You might get something even better.

Two, mints will grow in full sun or part shade but may taste better if grown where some shade is available.

Three, they like lots of water and the soil should be loose. That way as the stems loose their leaves and the little branches grow they can attachment themselves to the soil and the plant can do it's invasive thing.

Since my soil is more like hard pack unless I cultivate it I didn't have any problems with it being invasive last year. it's little rootless couldn't dig into the soil.


I don't believe it dies back so you should have it all year around once it comes up. But I could be wrong. I overwintered mine inside which is why it is so big right now.

After it gets situated in its new area and digs in good if you would like I'll dig some up and send it to you this fall. But you will have to remind me. My memory is not very good.


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tkhooper #48342 May 20th, 2007 at 08:58 AM
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I've also heard that fertilizer weakens the taste, wonder if it's true.


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Sunflowers #62548 Jun 10th, 2007 at 10:14 AM
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yes its invasive.I pull seedlings up almost daily or every 3 days for my nephews iguana Tabby (she actually likes what I send her better than what she eats from grocery)It dies back in the garden in winter(And mines mild)but will faithfully return yearly.and elsewhere as well.I've composted enough of it....that somes growing around the compost pile too.It smells good when you mow over it.It can grow in full sun,but does better with some shade or morning sun afternoon shade.This year i'm clipping the flowerheads....so will not reseed.That reseeding durring hurricane Rita has got me more than enough plants for a nursery.


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njoynit #62574 Jun 10th, 2007 at 11:54 AM
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do you guys actually cook with it?



Bestofour #62789 Jun 10th, 2007 at 08:20 PM
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I plan to make chocolate mint jelly this year if it gets big enough. My recipe calls for two packed cups of leaves. Is that what you mean?

I'm also thinking about doing a cherry pie and adding it in with the filling finely minced. To add a fresh flavor to the cherry.



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tkhooper #62796 Jun 10th, 2007 at 08:46 PM
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Yes it even dies back in mild southern California winters. I can come true from seed if it is not cross pollinated with other mints. And it is very invasive given the opportunity. I have never really cooked with it but it makes a nice flavored sprig in cocoa or coffee.


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Tina #62936 Jun 11th, 2007 at 07:00 AM
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I added it to our melon fruit baskets as a garnish, that we had for Jennifers baby shower.

My Pineapple mint is actually doing better than the chocolate mint this year so far. And it was very sickly last year and this winter. I thought a couple of times that I had lost it completely.


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Tina #63060 Jun 11th, 2007 at 10:02 AM
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Yes, TK, that's what I meant. I've never known anyone to actually use it. I have some you sent but I haven't planted it. Did you say it does well in a pot? I've got enough invasive stuff without adding any.



Bestofour #63110 Jun 11th, 2007 at 10:27 AM
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It did fine in a pot for me. But I think you will have better luck if you keep it pruned. I kind of let mine run wild and it looked very messy before I put it outside.

Try for a pot that is shallow and wide or like a window box. Somewhere it can spread a little.


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tkhooper #65692 Jun 13th, 2007 at 07:15 PM
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Thanks. I've been wanting a window box.



Bestofour #65810 Jun 14th, 2007 at 04:26 AM
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Glad to be of help lol.


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tkhooper #67931 Jun 16th, 2007 at 06:20 PM
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You'll never believe this. I didn't pick up any window boxes so I went ahead and put out the choco mint seeds. Then today Johnny came home with 2 window boxes. Oh well.



Bestofour #68104 Jun 17th, 2007 at 03:50 AM
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They aren't that hard to transplant if you decide you want them in the window boxes later. In the mean while there are lots of other pretty plants you may want to put in them.


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