How To Grow Mint Herb

Their problem is that they grow too well! If left to their own devices, they will rapidly take over your garden. Mints were used by the Greeks and Romans both for flavouring food and as a medicine. Click folklore (right) for some of the myths surrounding mint.

They can be harvested for at least six months of the year when grown outside, and are superb when used to flavour meats (lamb is best known), vegetables (especially new potatoes and peas), salads, tea and jellies.

Where To Grow Mint

Mint is very tolerant of almost all conditions, but like all plants it will grow best in certain conditions. The soil should be well-dug, fertile and water-retentive, but not water-logged. Whilst mint will grow well in full sun, it does not like dry conditions. Its preference is therefore for partial shade, and it is well suited to a North facing wall

Propagation
Mint is sold at most garden centres in small pots - as long as they are purchased after all danger of frost has passed, they can be planted straight outside.

Mint has shallow, creeping roots which can be broken off and placed either directly in the ground or in pots containing potting compost. Because mint is such a strong-growing plant, it can easily kill nearby plants. The solution when planting outside is to sink a bottomless container, such as an old bucket, in the ground and plant the mint in this area. The roots might not be stopped 100%, but it will do the job. Another alternative is to dig a hole to a depth of 30cm (1ft) and line it with black plastic (pierced with small holes for drainage). The soil is then replaced in the black plastic and the mint planted in that area. 

Care of Mint

Mulching the soil will go a long way to keeping mint happy - it will achieve the all important job of keeping a moist root run which mint likes so much. A twice yearly feeding with bonemeal will keep it even happier. Remove the flowers by hand as soon as they appear because if left, they will reduce the amount of leaves. There is very little else to do except enjoy it.

Mint suffers from only one disease and that is rust - allow it to get a hold and it will kill all your mint plants. There are chemical sprays for rust, but they can often be only a part solution. The best method is to examine each plant carefully for signs of rust (orange blobs generally on the underside of the leaves) and remove any leaves affected - spray as well with a chemical if you want. If this does not remove the infection chop the plant down to ground level and burn it all - drastic, but the only cure in the late stages of rust infection. 

Recommended Mint Varieties
Choosing a variety of mint is a matter of personal taste. However, for starters, shown below are a few tried and trusted varieties, all of which can be bought online by clicking ( ).

Spearmint Mentha spicata - a traditional mint for mint sauces. A strong grower with attractive dark green leaves.

Alpine Mint Bush Prostanthera cuneata - try something different, mint leaves with pure white flowers, a herb with true beauty.

Chocolate Mint - really does taste a bit like mint chocolate!. A novelty worth a try?

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