Saving your last mint leaves for winter.

Now is the time to save those last leaves off your mint plants for use over the winter.

Here are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your remaining mint before the onset of winter.

Pick in the morning Pick in the morning hours when the leaves are tender and contain the most oil. Don’t wash the leaves or you risk losing some of the oils, which give the leaves their taste and aroma.

Clip sprigs Brush off any insects and clip sprigs from the plant with a pruner. Then tie bunches of sprigs together with string and hang them upside down in a paper bag in a dry, dark, and warm place. After a few days, crush and store in airtight containers.

Dry leaves on a screen Build a wooden frame and stretch window screen over the frame. Pick only mature fresh leaves and spread them evenly over the screen so they don’t overlap. Set the screen in the sun and allow the mint to dry. Then, crumble the leaves and store them in airtight containers.

Freeze in a pan Pick mint leaves and spread them in a single layer in a pan. Put the pan in the freezer and, after they’re frozen, store them in freezer containers.

Freeze in an ice cube tray Put your mint leaves in an ice cube tray with a little water. Remove the cubes from the tray as you need them and run them under cold water to expose the mint. The leaves will be wilted, but can still be used to make tea or to add flavour to your favourite dishes.