Growing Mint Outdoors

Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost.

Growing mint outdoors.

One or two plants will easily cover the ground. 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. Otherwise it looks untidy and the weeds may reduce yields and affect flavor. Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall.

Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves. Growing mint in pots outdoors pots that measure 8 inches or more in diameter and are 10 to 12 inches deep provide sufficient room for a mint plant. This fast growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. Keep the area around mint free of weeds.

Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant in the spring once the risk of frost has passed. Strawberry pots can be great for this in which you can plant a different mint in each pocket. If you re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot dry weather. That said mint isn t picky.

Dig up the plant and bin it. Check plants regularly for mint rust. Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety. Mint can tolerate a bit of dry soil but not long periods of drought.

Some of my favorites to grow in containers are ginger mint pineapple mint chocolate mint orange mint and apple mint because they are all low growing plants. How to grow mint plants outdoors plant mint in full sun or part shade. Mints will grow readily in sun or part shade and some types even survive in shade though they may become leggy. It can adapt to just about any type of soil but develops the best foliage in moist well drained soil that has been enriched with compost.

Avoid a very heavy soil make sure that the soil is well dug and if it is heavy then mix in some bark chippings or pea gravel. It s best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden even if you re planting in the ground. You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed. Water container grown mint whenever the top inch 2 5 cm of potting mix feels dry to the touch.

Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5. Photo by lorna kring. For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.

You can grow an entire pot full of different varieties of mint. Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier fuller growth. Quick guide to growing mint.