Now that the weather has warmed up, it is very easy to increase your stock of certain plants simply by taking a cutting a few inches long and popping it into a small clear container such as a shot glass or old fishpaste jar, taking care to strip off any lower leaves which would otherwise rot underwater. Leave it on a sunny windowsill and observe daily!
The rooted cutting pictured above is a piece of Eau de Cologne mint which I took when a friend was showing me where she volunteers at a community garden near Canterbury. I put it in water directly I came home and it was showing roots within a week. As soon as I texted her with the news, she resolved to take a piece to try rooting for herself.
It is not a mint that is particularly suitable for cooking in my opinion; rather, the appeal lies in the perfume similar to Earl Grey tea, hence the alternative name of Bergamot mint. It is a special plant to me because when I had my first garden I was developing an interest in herbs, so I have known the scent for a long time, even though I haven't always had it in my garden - there isn't enough space to keep everything I would like. And this particular piece is associated with a former colleague and long time friend.
The cutting above is now in a small pot and when it is bigger, I can take more cuttings and spread it around all our garden sites. Meanwhile I have taken cuttings of Moroccan mint, which is the best one for mint tea.
Other plants which can be rooted in water include rosemary and cress, pieces of which we were handing out at the recent Love Your Local market event in General Gordon Square. Even watercress from the supermarket can easily be rooted in water, so it is worth a try.
Let us know of any unusual and unique plant infusion you can think of any of the Good Food in Greenwich social media accounts or at info@goodfoodingreenwich.org.uk
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