Got Mint?

Chances are if you grow any mint at all, you have a lot. We discovered what we learned was apple mint growing at Good Cheer. This kind of mint is huge and, like any mint, is very vigorous, so there is a lot of it. So I have been using it to make some lovely iced mint tea. This is not complicated. Basically, pick a bunch of mint, stuff it in the tea-pot and cover with boiling water. Let it sit for a while, add a little sugar and then chill in the fridge. I thought I’d share this idea just in case any of you have masses of mint on your hands – it’s a good way to use it.

Rose Hips

Rose Hips! These lovely little beauties were historically used as a boost of much needed vitamin C in the winter months. I have been intending for a while to pick rose hips a but whenever I tried to picture where I had seen wild rose bushes I drew a blank. Last week I suddenly remembered that there are some at a nearby playground so off I went with a little bag. I felt a little conspicuous as I tried to pull rose hips from the bushes in a discrete manner, but I don’t suppose anybody minded. There were plenty there and I only took enough for a small bag, making sure there would still be lots for the birds.

I made some rose hip tea but though I tried very hard to like it, I didn’t. Afterwards I read that you are supposed to wait till the first frost before picking them, so I may have been a bit early. And it may be an aquired taste. They are now in the freezer waiting for me to find another way to use them.

Toadstool Terrarium.

This toadstool terrarium comes from my Granny Alice. I remember it at her house and  I was always pretty fond of it. Something about a little tiny contained world of green, I guess. It also reminds me of the miniature gardening set she gave me, with a tiny watering can and trowel. I wish I still had those! But I’ve had the terrarium for ages and keep meaning to plant it so when my eye fell upon yesterday I thought “Today is the day!”.

First I took some “before shots”. This is when I realized that the photography would be a challenge!

So I made a cup of tea.

Then I got to work filling the terrarium. Strictly speaking I think it should be miniature plants but since that was one of the reasons I never got around to planting it, I just used some moss and a few other things from the garden.

After I was done I decided the terrarium was not complete without a tenant.