Grow Mint in Containers

Harvesting Mint
Basically, cut the leaves when needed - a pair of scissors or nipping with the fingers picture of mint variety both work well. It pays to cut the top leaves first, because this will encourage the plant to shoot out again further down the stem. Never strip the plant of all its leaves. It is possible to store the leaves in a warm place to dry, but some of the flavour goes.

Container Growing
This herb is ideally suited to container culture and will grow happily in potting compost. Attention throughout the year is minimal. Water if the compost is drying out, and feed with liquid plant food monthly throughout the growing season. Container grown plants are more likely to affected by severe frosts, so move the containers close to the house walls in winter.

Varieties of Mint

Variety	Size	Use	Comments
Spearmint (garden mint)	45cm (18in) high	Culinary	The mint most commonly grown. Full of flavour and simple to grow.
Bowles' Mint	90cm (3ft) high	Culinary	Best flavour of all, but not for use in salads because of hairy leaves!
Apple mint	60cm (2ft) high	Culinary	Mint and fruit flavour - great in fruit salads
Pennyroyal	Spreads far, very low growing	Culinary	Very strong flavour - use in small quantities only. Dangerous for pregnant women, so not advised for general use (was used to induce abortions).
Peppermint	60cm (2ft) high	Culinary, but mainly for tea.	'Black' peppermint is better than 'white' peppermint.
Spanish mint	Spreads far, low growing (2cm or 1in)	Decorative	Good between paving stones.

END OF MINT ARTICLE

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Name: Rosa
E-mail: Private
Date posted: June 05, 2011 - 11:41 am
Message: A plant has grown in my strawberry garden that resembles some type of mint., but it smells like lemon. I went to a local garden and they said that the square stem is in the mint family. Is this a variety of mint? Is it a weed or is it edible? Could you please send me an answer to my email. Thank you very much.

Name: jodi
E-mail: jburkett@brandon.k12.mi.us
Date posted: January 04, 2011 - 09:30 am
Message: I am a high school science teacher wanting to grow, and then harvest essential oils, and use them in foods/products for our school food services and school store products. My partner who is a biologist/herbologist bailed out on me (after I got approval and grant money to do this)and I need help!
any advise is welcome and appreciated!
thanks!!
Jodi

Name: Margie
E-mail: Private
Date posted: October 14, 2010 - 09:26 pm
Message: Can you tell me of a known mint like plant grown in Scicily Italy called Nipotela?Is there another name for it here in Australia?Thanks so much, looking forward to your reply

Name: gavin
E-mail: gav.lee@hotmail.co.uk
Date posted: October 08, 2010 - 08:18 am
Message: I have noticed black spots on the leaves of my mint it doesnt seem to be growing that well.Ihave looked for bugs on the leaves and have found none can you help.

Name: Wendy
E-mail: Private
Date posted: September 02, 2010 - 09:40 pm
Message: I have been growing mint in a clay pot outside all spring & summer. Now that fall will be coming can I grow it inside. The article was helpful, tomorrow will get some bonemeal. I use mint on inside whole chickens, mint tea, alcohol drinks, breathe freshner, in bath. Thanks & have a good day! :-)