If you want it in the garden but without the rapid spread, set it into a container instead, and use a saucer at the base to prevent the roots from growing into the soil below. Do not plant it in an area where other plants must compete for space. Mint's greatest advantageits utter ease of growthis also one of its biggest problems. This makes your plant bushier and less leggy. Throughout the growth months, pinch off the tips of the stems.Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in the garden.Many gardeners deliberately plant it in less favorable conditions to slow down its spread! However, it is famously unfussy, so chances are it will not only survive but flourish in any light from full sun to deep shade, and any quality of soil provided the drainage is decent. Mint thrives best in partial shade and rich, moist soil.For new plants from your old ones, root a stem cutting in a glass of water, or divide the entire plant into sections and replant each division.Plant your mint where passersby will brush the foliage, which releases its heady aroma.Try to pick mint in the morning, when the flavorful oils are strongest.Harvest sprigs from the plant as you need them all season long.If you are sowing directly into the garden, consider placing a row cover over the seeds until they sprout. To sow the seeds outdoors, place them on top of well-worked soil, then sprinkle a fine layer of vermiculite on top of them. Transplant into the garden or container when they have at least 2 sets of true leaves. They should sprout within 10 to 15 days at room temperature or slightly warmer (68 to 75☏). Do not cover the seeds they need light to germinate. To sow the seeds indoors, place them on top of the Bio Sponge in your Bio Dome, or on top of the medium in your seed flat. But as a hardy perennial, they can be started anytime until about 2 months before the first frost of fall, or year-round for indoor use. Both are super easy to grow, taking off like crazy to perfume home or garden all season.įor spring planting, mint seeds can be started indoors in late winter or direct-sown in the warm spring soil. By far the most commonly grown in this country are spearmint ( M. Native to the Mediterranean, the genus Mentha has parented more than 3,500 varieties. Then transplant to new homes and water well. In addition to flavoring food and drinks, it serves as a natural pest deterrent in the vegetable, herb, or flower garden, and chewing the leaves not only freshens the breath but is said to calm an upset stomach. Mint often grows runners, cut these off from the mother plant as soon as they are well rooted using a spade. See our Great Mint Repotting Caper for more on proper soil, division and replanting of mints.Perfect for beginning gardeners, mint is the easiest of all herbs to grow, a perennial hardy in Zones 4-9. Then, they work their way around to see how soft the spear is. First, they wrap themselves around the base of an asparagus spear. This is how cutworms make your asparagus plants fall over. Read our Mint Care and Tips page for more on how to tame your mint. However, this small amount of damage is enough to kill your plants completely. Rotate planting areas, remove diseased plants, and prune healthy plants to the ground in fall. Check here to see if Apple Mint Plug Trays are available. Small water soaked spots on leaves and stems. They are a great low cost way to fill a lot of space. These trays hold 128 of all the same plant.

This plant is often available in plug trays. When the mint stops producing heavily, it is time to thin out the roots.Īpple Mint makes a great addition to our Kitchen Herb Garden Six Pack. Cut Apple Mint to the ground in late fall and it will be fresh and crisp in spring. Apple Mint is hardy to zone 5 and will die back to the ground in winter. In hot summer areas, late afternoon shade helps to cut down on the watering chores. Mints grown in five to six hours of sun develop better color and flavor. It is wonderful to cook with and can be used with most meats.Ī container with a large surface area helps mint to grow abundantly. Apple Mint has a slight floral fragrance and flavor.

Mint seedlings falling over