Rising mint for cocktails or cooking

Mint isn't just for mojitos! It's for embossed pea soup; Stir in baby potatoes with salted butter whips; toss in a Greek salad with chopped tomatoes and cucumber; Beat in cream, sugar and chocolate to make chocolate ice cream…. Is your mouth watering already? Growing mint is a must for everyone, and here are more reasons to grow it!

Used for thousands of years for its culinary and health benefits, mint is a health benefit powerhouse that contains vitamins A, C, B12, calcium, copper, and manganese to name a few. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties help fight seasonal viruses, relieve sore throats and nasal congestion, while leaving you smelling fresh mint!

Have you ever wondered why desserts come with a sprig of mint? Eating fresh mint stimulates the production of digestive enzymes and relieves indigestion, acid reflux, and nausea. This can come in handy after a heavy meal. The uplifting aroma of mint can also increase serotonin levels in the brain, promote the flow of oxygen in the body, relax muscles, and promote more positive energy.

Still not convinced? Then how about the fact that mint is probably the easiest herb to grow, undemanding and virtually indestructible. It's the perfect herb for beginners.

Good products for growing mint:

Brief instructions for care

Consider growing mint for a cool addition to your garden! Source: jbhangoo

Everything about mint

Mint is an aromatic, rhizomatic, herbaceous perennial herb. There are around 25 species within the genus Mentha and a wide variety of hybrids, subspecies, and lower ranks.

The most common varieties are Mentha spicata (common, garden or spearmint), Mentha x piperita (peppermint), Mentha citrata (cologne or orange mint), Mentha aquatica (water mint), Mentha suaveolens (apple mint or pineapple mint) and Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal).

The exact origin of the mint is unknown. Mentha comes from the Greek word menthe, a mythological water nymph. Introduced to England by the Romans and later by pilgrims to the New World, mint is widespread in the temperate regions of the world and naturalized in Eurasia, Australia, North America and Africa.

All mint plants have the characteristic square stems of the mint family. The colors of the species range from light to dark green, lavender, brown and sometimes bright green with white / cream colored edges, as is common with apple mint and pineapple mint. The leaves also vary in shape from lance to oval with smooth, shiny, rough, or fuzzy textures.

The shoots appear in spring and develop into tall, erect petioles averaging 1 to 2 feet in height. The leaves can be harvested from spring to early autumn. After that, they quickly deteriorate and the foliage dies back to ground level.

Mint spreads through underground rhizomes or as stolons above the ground. Mint plants can invade your garden if left to their own devices. To stay in check, trim back if necessary or plant in pots to contain the trails.

The mint flowers range from light pink, lavender and lavender to terminal ears from June. They are beneficial to wildlife and attract many pollinating insects such as hoverflies, lacewings, and butterflies.

Types of mint

Peppermint. Source: Ann McCarron

Each type of mint has its own distinctive flavor and aroma. Here are some of the mint family favorites.

Mentha spicata. Commonly known as the spearmint plant or Garden mint. It's slightly milder than peppermint and won't overwhelm the dishes, making it a mint herb in the kitchen. The leaves are light green and narrower than other varieties such as Mentha x piperata.

Mentha x piperita vulgaris. Black peppermint is very aromatic and much stronger than the white peppermint plant Mentha x piperita officinalis. Stems and leaves are green with reddened purple. The leaves are larger than most types of mint, toothed, and oval-shaped. Mentha x piperita is a natural hybrid between Mentha aquatica and Mentha spicata.

Mentha citrata. Also known scientifically as Mentha x piperita f. citrata and commonly known as Orange mint, Bergamot mint, and Eau de Cologne Mint. A strong mint with an orange scent and a hint of lavender flowers. Orange mint has oval leaves, burgundy stems, and leaves that are sometimes bordered with purple.

Mentha x piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate’. Commonly known as the Chocolate mint plantand its name is true: this mint smells and tastes like mint chocolate chips. It is distinguished by its purple-brownish stems and undersides of leaves, which also extend to the young apical growth, which turns green as it matures.

Mentha x piperita "strawberry". Commonly known as Strawberry mint. A compact, less vigorous variety with small, medium green leaves. The taste is quite mild compared to other varieties and has a fruity aroma with a hint of strawberry.

Mentha suaveolens. Commonly known as Pineapple mint or Apple mint, often has variegated leaves with a white margin and a woolly or flaky texture. These brightly colored varieties offer both decorative and culinary value in the garden, and are some of the best to grow for something else.

Plant mint

Chocolate Mint Cuttings. Source: Ann McCarron

Towards the end of winter, sow mint seeds indoors to plant in the garden once all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow directly into warm spring soil later in the season to separate any clumps. Established root and stem cuttings from the previous year can be transplanted in spring.

Grow mint in rich, well-drained, moisturizing soil in partial shade. Planting mint in full sun is fine as long as the soil is kept moist. Plant varieties of mint separately to maintain their distinctive smell and taste. A good way to do this is to grow mint varieties one at a time in large pots. To prevent mint from becoming invasive, plant mint in pots and sink them into the ground. Just make sure there are two inches of the pot off the ground to prevent root runners from reaching the bottom. Divide the container grown plants each year to avoid the plants becoming tied up in the pot.

Another great tip is to plant mint next to physical barriers like raised beds, walls, and pavement to stop the rampant nature!

No garden? No problem! Growing mint indoors on a sunny windowsill is easy. One or more of the most common types of mint are usually available at local garden centers, or you can pick up fresh mint plants from your supermarket.

Caring for mint plant

Mint is virtually maintenance free, other than pruning and watering.

Sun and temperature

Mint thrives in cool to warm climates that require at least 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day. Grow mint at temperatures between 13 ° C and 21 ° C. At temperatures above 30 ° C, mint plants begin to struggle.

The foliage will of course die with the first frosts, but the roots survive in the ground even if they are frozen. Hardy to USDA Zones 4 through 9.

Water and moisture

Watering mint first thing in the morning is best. Of course, if your mint looks a bit sad and withered during the day, a quick water and some emergency shades will help revive it.

Peppermints like soil damp but not wet. Check the soil moisture regularly and if it feels damp your plants are good. When it is dry, provide the area with a good drink. Mint can be watered with timed watering hoses or by hand with a hose or watering can, but always directly on the ground and not on the plant. Wet leaves in the bright sun can cause burns.

A normal humidity of 70% in the greenhouse works for mint, as long as it is not too shady. full sun to partial shade is preferred. Winter watering is usually not required, except for the mint grower when it dries up.

ground

Strawberry mint. Source: Ann McCarron

Mint can adapt to most types of soil as long as it is rich in organic matter, moist but well-drained. Sandy loam is probably best, but if you are stuck with a heavy clay, don't despair as it can be improved by adding lots of organic material to increase porosity and improve drainage. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is perfect.

Fertilize

Mint doesn't need a lot of fertilizer. A good organically balanced NPK liquid fertilizer in the spring will give the plant the boost it needs to get started. Then use light compost mulches throughout the summer to maintain moisture in the soil and the same liquid feed every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.

Mint grown in containers will require more watering, which can lead to nutrient leaching. In the spring, wear a good organic outer garment mixed with a balanced slow release fertilizer.

clipping

Regular harvesting keeps growth in check and gives you lots of beautiful tender shoots all summer. If you don't harvest regularly, try giving your plant a good 2-3 inch pruning every month to prevent branching, healthy new growth, and the spread of spreading branches.

Plant growth slows down once flowering begins. So prune any blooming ears of corn to keep foliage production going. Alternatively, plants can be allowed to bloom to encourage pollinators. In late fall, prune the plants to 2 inches above the ground for winter.

Multiplication

Making new plants from mint is easy and there are several ways to do it.

Sow seeds in spring. Mint seeds are tiny. So if you mix them with a small amount of horticultural sand, you can see where you sown. Spread the mixture over all-purpose pre-watered compost in a seed bowl and cover with ¼ inch compost. Germinate in a warm, light place.

Cuttings can be taken throughout the season. Make a cut under a leaf knot with at least 4 inches of top growth. Fill a small pot with a mixture of 30/70 perlite and all-purpose compost, paint holes around the side of the pots, and insert the cuttings into the holes. Make sure there are at least two leaf nodes below the surface of the growth medium and water. Roots usually appear within 2 weeks.

Another quick method is to put the cuttings in a glass of water and change the water every few days. The roots should grow within a week.

Mint plants develop stolon roots towards the end of summer. Propagation of root cuttings by simply cutting root lengths into small pieces with at least two nodes each. The nodes look similar to leaf nodes and develop both roots and leaves. Place the cuttings flat on 30/70 perlite / compost mixture in shallow bowls or small pots, cover them lightly, and water.

Harvesting and storing

Orange mint. Source: Ann McCarron

Learning to harvest mint is easy! No technical tools are required, just arm yourself with scissors!

harvest

The harvests depend on the last and first frost you live in. Harvest when the plants are at least three feet tall, bushy, and in good health. Pick the leaves in the morning and place them in a plastic bag or wrap them in damp kitchen paper to keep them hydrated.

storage

The leaves will stay fresh in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator for a week. They can also be frozen in ice cubes to add to cool summer drinks.

Bring bouquets of mint inside to dry and hang upside down in a warm, well-ventilated room. After drying, store in an airtight container. Mint loses a lot of flavor when dehydrated over high heat. Instead, let them air dry.

Troubleshooting

Mint is relatively trouble-free aside from its constant striving to escape restriction.

Growing problems

Mint invasion is likely one of the most common growing problems, but is easily resolved with good pruning methods and growing in pots.

Weak and long-legged growth usually indicates an incorrect location or plants are overshadowed by their neighbors. Place plants 2 feet apart or grow mint elsewhere to fixate.

Finally, try to keep your soil moist and not too wet or dry is a balancing act. Regularly check the soil moisture, water if necessary and ensure good drainage.

Pests

The smell of mint can be the most off-putting Aphids (Aphidoidea) However, some, like the green fly, cannot withstand the young re-growth by feeding on the phloem sap and dehydrating the plant. Aphids are also a vector for a variety of other plant diseases. They can be biologically treated by releasing beneficial insects that feed on them, such as ladybugs. Alternatively, you can spray them with a good organic insecticidal soap or neem oil. Crushing them with your fingers or a quick jet of water can reduce the number.

Spider mites (Tetranychidae) are arachnids and relatives of spiders and ticks. Spider mite infestation can be recognized by fine webbing between the stems and plants, which quickly show signs of decline. Similar to aphids, they feed on sap, causing the leaves to turn yellow and fall off. For treatment, oils can smother eggs and pyrethrins can be used to kill adult mites. Remove and destroy the worst affected stems and, if necessary, entire plants to prevent them from spreading.

Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) Are 1 to 2 inches long and can hibernate in soils that reappear in spring in search of food. These disturbing animals move just below or on the surface of the soil at night and separate young shoots on the soil line. Plants that looked good one day are dead the next. Remove any cutworms you find. Remove decaying debris from planted areas as the debris is ideal for larvae to overwinter or for moths to lay new eggs. Bacillus thurigiensis (BT) spray can get rid of these pesky moth larvae.

Diseases

Lime mint. Source: Ann McCarron

mildew is one of the main fungal diseases in mint, transmitted by wind-borne spores. It thrives in hot, humid, and shady conditions and tends to grow as white, thick dust on the leaves, which inhibits photosynthesis and hinders growth. The leaves eventually turn yellow, die and fall off. To prevent powdery mildew, maintain good garden hygiene and remove infected leaves from plants and soil to prevent re-infection in years to come. Trim crowded areas to allow good air circulation. Spray an organic fungicide like sulfur, neem oil, or potassium bicarbonate before or at first sight.

Mushroom rust forms yellow / orange spots on leaves and orange-red pustules on their undersides. It spreads from plant to plant via drops of wind or water and once infected plants can quickly lose weight. Treatment early with a good copper fungicide can slow the spread of the disease, but treatment with mint is difficult. Cut off any signs of the disease well below the infected areas and destroy the cut material. If necessary, trim the mint back to ground level and it should return in the spring.

frequently asked Questions

Q: Does the mint come back every year?

A: Yes, as a herbaceous perennial, the mint dies in winter and grows back in the spring of the following year.

Q: Does mint keep insects out?

A: Many insects don't like the smell of mint. Growing mint in pots around your cabbage family's plants will keep insects like meal bugs and scale insects from attacking your crops.

Q: How do I make my mint plant bushy?

A: Regular harvesting and pruning will help branch the stems, creating a bushier appearance.

About the writer Ann McCarron:

Hi, my name is Ann, also known as Mrs. Bloom!

I am Irish, live and work in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I switched careers in 2010 and left Public Affairs to study my longstanding passion, horticulture. I love working outdoors with people and plants, so doing freelance collaborative and therapeutic horticulture is a dream.

I've gardened in one form or another my entire life, but my obsession with growing really made itself felt when I got my first assignment. I love growing fruits and vegetables, but cut flowers are what the garden is all about. It's the best feeling when you can pick your own bouquet whenever you want.

The green fingers behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifelong gardener