The focus of this post may be met with an ‘everyone knows THAT’ response but for me this discovery was a hair short of seeming visionary. Maybe due to it being within reach for years and the dots only connecting for me this summer.
Fast forward five years (at least). Mint sends out runners underground to move to its next location. Runners can go several feet under the surface from where the plant was originally planted and often form a rope like fabric nearly impossible to eradicate. I’ve given up the annual spring mining for runners that have spread a treacherous network through the raised bed, as well as which have travelled the length of my yard underground to pop up on the other side of a fence, in a sealed rocked area by the street. I’ve continued to rip it out of the bed though have ‘allowed’ it to emerge on the outer surface of the rocked wall of the planting bed (the word ‘allowed’ used tongue and cheek as I’m sure it’s clear to you who is in charge here).
A girl can only make so many mojitos and use so many sprigs as garnish. I’ve made tea and I’ve made mint ice cream. Somehow it never crossed my mind to put it in water until this summer. For kicks I plucked some stalks and put them into a large pitcher of water. Within about 10 minutes I found the most refreshing beverage was born. Naturally cool from the mint and priced far more attractively than the hip bottles in the store commanding $1.75.
I now regularly pluck a few stalks of each peppermint and spearmint, put them in a large pitcher or a glass and have it in the fridge at all times (if I make it in a glass, I let the mint spears sit in the chilled water for about 10 minutes and remove before drinking). It’s really taken the edge of the summer heat. Sadly it’s made nary a dent in my garden mint overgrowth.
What do farm dogs have to do with Mint Water? Not a darn thing. I’ve had the pleasure of ‘meeting’ and photographing a number of farm dogs this summer and it seemed a great time to share them. I hope you’ll forgive the detour!
Chef Dennis says
I love those furbabies! Now that's my kind of farm just add a few Bernese, and a Newfie or too!
Mint Water sounds refreshing, and must be a nice way to cool down in the hot summer days
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I may know mint water but not these adorable pups; so very glad you chose to include them. All of them…but have to say, the blind watchdog might have tugged those heart strings just a bit more than others.
She's Thrifty says
BoLo —
I've enjoyed your photos this summer. Absolutely gorgeous. Mint is one of those things you know is invasive, but, like bamboo, you can't imagine how invasive it is until you see it!
Cooking with Michele says
I know it's only the second year, but so far so good on my selection of location for my mint – it's 30-40 feet from my actual backyard, blocked off by the alley, concrete, the garage and the patio. If it's really insistent, it could make its way under all that into my perennial gardens, but I'm hoping for the best! In the meantime, I'm off to make mint water – I too never thought of this!
Lea Ann (Highlands Ranch Foodie) says
I love the idea of this mint water. I'm heading to the back yard right now to curse at my mint, then pick some. L-O-V-E the farm dog photos. Great post.
mjskit says
I love the mint water idea! I'm going to go pick some right now! And your dogs photos – what I can say? I LOVE them!
My Kitchen in the Rockies says
I would take the blind doggie in a heart beat. What a sweetie. Love the pictures of the mint in the flower glass. Beautiful!
Iris Rankin says
Yes, this summer is one where it finally dawned on me to put herbs with water too. I've done lavender, basil, rosemary and ginger, but not mint – so that's now on my list. I would gladly take some of that mint off your hands though. Invasive, yes, but also highly delicious!
Not to mention those dogs. They are just gorgeous. Of course since it's summer everyone and their grandma is out with a dog and it makes me go weak in the knees with canine want.
DiannG says
Love the dog photos…I've seen Hobbs do that trick. He is just so adorable!
Now I know where to get mint when it's Mojito time!
Rebecca from Chow and Chatter says
fun post and love the dog pics
Lizzy says
Oh, all these dogs are SO cute! But Hobbs and his tricks is my favorite 🙂 And I always have plenty of mint in my garden…and mint water sounds perfect for this heat!
Eliotseats says
Love the farm dog pics. Those brought back memories of the farm dogs in my past. I, too, have mint that snuck out of its pot and has arisen in the most unlikely places. I am going to try the water trick.