Where to plant mint.
Growing mint outdoors uk.
Photo by lorna kring.
Once the little plants are ready to transplant take containers outdoors and let them acclimate for a week to outdoor conditions before moving them.
Ideally mint needs 1 to 2 inches 2 5 to 5 cm of water per week during the growing season.
Mints will grow readily in sun or part shade and some types even survive in shade though they may become leggy.
Mint is a vigorous plant that will spread all over the place if planted straight into the ground.
Repot a portion in the same container using fresh compost.
Mint rust remains in the soil for at least three years so don t plant other mints tarragon or chives in that spot after infection.
When growing in pots rejuvenate congested clumps by upturning the container removing the rootball and splitting it in half.
Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall.
For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.
Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves.
Water new plants regularly.
The best size of container depends really on how much mint you want to grow.
That said mint isn t picky.
Check plants regularly for mint rust.
Mint is a delightful herb to grow in the garden and has many uses in the kitchen.
Plant your mint in the pot and insert several wooden dowels next to the plant to give it support as it grows.
One or two plants will easily cover the ground.
It is best to buy mint as young plants in spring.
You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed.
We have also asked the national herb centre what they use when growing their mint in containers and they also use multi purpose compost.
Then get a pot with holes on the bottom that is at least 12 inches in diameter and some nutrient rich soil that your plant will thrive in.
Use drip irrigation or water in the morning to allow leaves to dry.
Growing mint in containers mint is particularly suited to container growing and will grow happily in potting compost.
If you are growing indoors a window box or a similarly wide shallow container with good drainage works best.
Water the plant if the pot dries out and feed with an organic liquid plant food once a month during the growing season.
As far as the compost is concerned for mint grown in containers we have always grown it normal multi purpose compost.
If growing outdoors you will want to plant mint plants in a section of your garden that has borders to keep runners from invading your entire garden.
Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety.
Dig up the plant and bin it.
