Mint & Basil

I love mint tea. I used to go buy dried mint leaves from the local health food store to make mint tea. In the spring I bought some mint and basil plants from the farmers market down the road and planted them in my flower bed. What I didn't know is mint is like ground cover. It was taking over my flower bed, leaving little room for the flowers I also planted. I have had an abundance of mint. When it was hot I would dry the mint leaves outside on the back deck. Yesterday, because there was a threat of a freeze over night, I clipped the majority of the mint and brought it inside. All morning I've been drying mint in my oven. I will definitely have enough for the next several months.

The basil has also done well. I make my own spaghetti sauce so it was nice having fresh basil all summer long. I now have so much dried basil I don't think I can use it all. I will have to share the abundance with friends and family. It's a blessing being able to grow just a few things you would normally buy at the grocery store.