Force mint in winter

You can have fresh mint at your fingertips even in winter. Plantjust a few roots and you can have mint sauce whenever you want It.

Time to plant: early autumn

Mint is such a strong grower that it's easy and fun to force it for the winter months. Dig up a few roots from plants growing out in the garden in early autumn and plant them in a container filled with multi-purpose compost. Lay the roots down lengthways on the soil surface and lightly cover with compost. Water and place in a greenhouse, conservatory or on a bright windowsill.

Keep the compost slightly damp, but be careful not to overwater check by pushing your finger into the compost. New shoots should start to appear within a couple of weeks. Pot them up and keep them indoors on a sunny windowsill. Cut leaves regularly throughout the winter and the plant will grow bushier and will keep going until spring.

TIP Use an old olive-oil tin or an

attractive wine box lined with polythene as a container if you want to grow mm on the kitchen windowsill.