A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 when is it best to harvest mint?

I have just to a new house and after weeding and setting new plants in the garden, my hubbie and I came across a huge area taken over by what we now know is of a mint variety. There is a lot of it and we just have to get control before it continues to spread; we would like to harvest what we take down.
It has not flowered yet and is about 1 foot tall in many places.
Should I wait a little longer, or can i start harvesting?

my spearmint is about 6 in. long and I'll take leaves from it to eat.

thanks for the info...i'll be out to collect leaves soon!!
I might put some into ice cube trays for a nice cool summer drink!

That's a great use of the mint. I like mint jelly and that's the plan I have for the two types of mint that I planted this year. I have pinapple mint and spearamint.

I just tried chopped mint sprinkled lightly on pieces of watermelon! It was a refreshing change that had a subtle taste, complementing the melon.

Its best picked in the morning.It has more flavor then.You can snip plants and make them bushier.And we won't discuss what hurricanes do do to the seed population.

harvest mint leaves when plant is 6-8inches tall. I love mint leaves! so i grow them all the time

Since everyone is discussing their favorite ways to prepare mint. Has anyone ever tried Mint Wine. I am a amateur home winemaker and I have run across a few recipes for mint wine and I think I might have a go with it.

I have had mint since I was little and I like to trim it low often and then dry it so I can make mint tea in the winter. We would have huge jars of the dried plant in our cupboard. yum yum

It is better to harvest it before it blooms and like was mentioned in the morning is the best time also. What ever you do...DO NOT MOW IT OR weed EAT IT DOWN!!!!!!! You will be sorry as that will make it spread more. You can cut stems and all and dry it on the stems or remove the leaves and use it however you choose.