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Growing Mint

Written by Peter Horn on .

Growing Mint 101: Quick Guide -Growing, Planting, Care and Harvesting-

Mint is an aromatic perennial herb with serrated leaves and small flowers. Mint comes in a wide range of colors (purple, pink, or white) and textures, from glossy to fuzzy, smooth to crinkled, intense green to variegated. The square stem of a mint plant, on the other hand, may be used to identify it as a member of the mint family. When you rub it between your fingers, you’ll detect a strong aroma that reminds you of sweets and sweet drinks. The flavor of mint is so appealing that it’s essential for mixing up your drinks. Mint water is not only delicious, but it is also beneficial to your health. Mint relaxes stomach muscles and improves the digestive system, which helps the body burn fat.  

How to Plant and Grow Mint

  • Mint should be grown in partial shade. It may survive the full sun, but it’s better to keep it out of direct sunlight. Mint thrives on loamy, wet, but well-drained soil.
  • Do not overfertilize the area where mint grows by adding too much old compost or old manure. Excessive fertility might make mint prone to rust. Mint grows best on soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
  • Plant mint from seed three to four weeks before the final frost in the spring. Mint seed might take a long time to germinate. It should be noted that mint seed does not always grow true to the parent. Sowing store-bought seed ensures that you get the kind you want.
  • Plant mint seedlings in the garden two weeks after the last frost in the spring. Mint may be grown from divisions or cuttings planted in cold conditions in the spring or fall.
  • You can sow seed outside in early spring. The seed should be sown 14 to 12 inches deep. Mint should be grown in bottomless pots in the ground to prevent roots and branches from spreading across the yard. Mint spreads fast, so space plants 12 to 18 inches apart or more.
  • Plant mint in the same garden as your green vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumbers, onions, parsley, peppers, and tomatoes. Mint should not be planted in the same container as other herbs since it might dry them out. Mint’s strong scent repels insect pests, while the blooms attract beneficial insects.
  • Mint can be highly invasive if not controlled; put it in containers and place them near the plants you wish to protect. Place saucers under the pots to prevent the roots from escaping.

Growing Condition for Mint Plant

  • Light:Mint plants grow best in partial shade; however, they may be grown in full sun if watered often. Mint is one of the few culinary plants that thrive in the shade.
  • Soil:Mint grows best on rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. If the soil is deficient, top-dress with the organic matter once a year and apply an organic fertilizer.
  • Water:Mint requires consistently wet soil with good drainage. Mint plants love water, but they can’t take damp feet or soggy soil. If the soil seems dry to the touch, apply water. It’s usually better to water the plant’s first thing in the morning so that they have enough moisture by the time sun arrives.
  • Temperature:If you’re growing mint inside, spray the plant between watering or place the pot on a water-filled tray of stones to promote humidity.
  • Fertilizer:When new growth appears in the early spring, add a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer. After that, fertilize every four to six weeks for the rest of the growing season. Potted plants that are often watered lose nutrients more quickly.

How to Care for Mint Plant

Mint requires very little attention. Apply a light mulch to outside plants. This will assist in keeping the wet soil while also keeping the leaves clean—indoor water plants on a regular basis to keep the soil uniformly wet. Mint may be grown as an annual in a pot. Choose a container with a depth of at least 8 to 10 inches. To maintain mints plants in containers, divide and repot them once a year. Allowing flowers to blossom will reduce the oil content of the leaves. Cross-pollination can also prevent by removing flowers. To avoid root and foliage disease, thin the clumps to allow for more airflow. Mints should be pruned and replanted every two to three years. Mint may turn woody if not trimmed down.

How to Harvest Mint Plants?

To harvest mint, simply pick individual leaves from the stems if you only need a few leaves. Cut stems and leaves with garden shears or a pair of sharp scissors if you wish to harvest in quantity for storage or need a lot of mint for cooking. Then, for fresh usage, separate the leaves from the stems, or knot the stem ends together for drying. Wait until just before blooming, when the taste is at its peak. Before harvesting, remove any yellowed leaves from the plant and cut each stem above the first or second set of leaves on the bottom half of the stem. This guarantees that when your mint heals, it may continue to generate chlorophyll for its own requirements. Keep in mind that young leaves have a stronger flavor than older and larger leaves. As a result, start with the smaller leaves on the top. Not only will this allow you to enjoy more delicious leaves, but it will also promote new growth. Your mint plants will grow bushier and produce more delicious leaves if you prune them regularly. Over-harvesting can shock mint plants, especially those in their first harvesting season. Avoid picking more than 2/3rds of a particular plant if at all feasible. Mint leaves may be picked as soon as the plant grows out in the spring, and you should do it as often as feasible. Harvesting mint leaves on a regular basis will not only keep the herb in control but will also signal the plant to produce fresh fragrant leaves. The more you pick, the more the plant grows so that you can harvest sprigs all year. Mint contains essential oils, which give it its distinctive scent. Harvest mint just before flowering to receive the strongest taste and scent. To get the most powerful taste, choose to harvest mint in the morning.