Mint is a fragrant herb with a very pleasant refreshing taste. It is usually grown for its leaves, and it comes in many different varieties. The plant grows practically everywhere globally, which is the main reason it can be found in almost every cuisine.
Mint is very easy to grow, and it can retain its potency of flavor for many years. The most difficult part of growing it is to find a way to keep it where it belongs. Here are some good advice and basic information that can be really helpful when you decide to plant it.
1. Choose a location
Mint grows well in both cool and warm climates. The herb loves the sun, but sometimes it is better to choose the location with a partial shade. It can dry out if being exposed to direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can make sure you will keep the soil moist all of the time. Mint also performs well if planted indoor; just make sure to place it near a sunny window.
2. Planting
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Sow seeds in late spring and make sure the soil will be moist. Plants should reach harvestable size in about 2 months. Cuttings of mint also root very easily. Mint thrives best in deep moist soil with a slightly acidic pH of around 6.5. Cover the soil with a little mulch and in mid-season, use an organic fertilizer if needed.
3. When to grow it
The best time to plant your mint is in the spring, or it could also be in the fall if you live in an environment free of frost. This fragrant herb is perennial and extremely resilient, but it is still recommended to ensure optimal conditions while start growing it. Mint will be one of the first plants to arrive each season.
4. Watering
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The only maintenance that Mint really needs is regular watering. You should keep the soil moist all of the time, though be careful not to over-water it. The hotter the climate and the higher the amount of sun the plant receives, the more water it will need.
5. Harvesting
It takes approximately two months for Mint to matures. It is really easy to harvest it. You are actually encouraged to do it regularly. For the best aroma, harvest just before the plant flowers when the potency of flavor is at its peak. You can clip away just what you need or cut most of the plant at once.
6. Fast grower
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Mint is incredibly invasive, and it is actually pretty hard to kill the plant. If allowed to grow without restrictions, it will probably compete with nearby plants for resources. The best solution when growing mint is to plant it in containers or find a way of restricting the growth of the roots. It is also advisable to trim it, which will prevent mint plants from becoming too wide regularly.
7. Container growing
Containers are perfect for growing mint herbs. You don’t need to worry about the roots spreading too far and suffocating other plants. If you really want to grow it in your garden, you can limit spreading by putting the container into the ground . Be careful, though, because if the mint plant flops over, the stems will root very quickly.
8. Use
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This versatile culinary herb with a nice refreshing taste is very commonly used as a tea. It is delicious, both fresh and dried. It can spice up a dessert or a cocktail, but it can also add a nice taste to your lamb or fish dish. There are many different mint varieties with a completely different smell, and they are not all good for culinary use, so be careful which one to choose.
9. Pests
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Pests are usually not a problem with mint. The strong minty scent serves as a pests repellent. There are Mint beetles, though, and their larvae can severely damage the plant are present in large numbers. Use an organic fungicide if that happens. The herb can also get rust. You will notice small orange spots on the undersides of leaves if that will be the case. Remove badly infected plants to prevent spreading.
10. Garden companions
The downside is definitely minted invasiveness, but it can still be a good companion with certain vegetables. You can plant mint next to carrots, kale, tomatoes, cabbages, onions, and radishes.
