Vines strangling rose bushes!
OMG, among my favorite rose bushes of my neighbors. Have 3 neighbors from whose rose bushes I clip/harvest, with permission. 5 out of 6 bushes are being strangled by VINES! One is an unknown vine, MIGHT have been thought of as desirable ground cover; doesn't appear to be 'weed,' the other is MINT!
Just spent about an hour ripping and clipping the mint (I smell great now!) Last week, spent an hour ripping and clipping the unknown ground cover, and those 2 bushes are looking MUCH better now; one which had NO leaves is now growing NEW leaves, and harvested/clipped 5 flowers last couple days from the other bush. Fingers crossed for the mint-house roses!
= new reply since forum marked as read
Well, then, you'll never have enough mint, despite your colorful description of how you do.
You can dry it for the winter or use it in the summer. I just cut it at ground, then wash it in big tubs outside. Cut it up and put it in a crockpot or two (outside because of the heat). When it's brewed, take out the mint and put it in the compost pile.
Refrigerate your tea in jars and you'll always have plenty of cool, refreshing drinks for the summer.
I occasionally put in a few bags of regular decaf tea, just for a flavor variation.
Cher
At the dent you make in that mint. I found out that certain weeds in my garden are edible and have started using them in salads and other recipes. Now my garden is practically weed-free!
It started with purslane, which I found one day at a farmer's market in Manhattan. Yes, a package for $3.99. I said, "This is growing in my garden!" So I went home and picked what I thought was $3.99 worth and used it in a salad. It was delightful--texture-wise, taste, etc. Then I found out how healthy it was. Here I was taking omega 3 fatty acids in the form of supplements, and this weed growing in my garden is the single best source of it!
My absolute favorite is lemon balm tea, which grows like crazy and goes to seed all over the place. This tea has a very calming effect. After I drink a glass of it, I feel this smooth feeling. It is like all the rough edges of the world have gone away. I wish it lasted longer.
As much lemon balm as I had, I am out and waiting for my next crop.
Cher
