Free shipping when you spend $25 or more on seeds Show Free shipping when you spend $50 or more on other products Mint is such a versatile herb. Its fresh green leaves add a tangy punch to both sweet and savoury dishes. Once you plant it, mint becomes a constant garden companion. Mint can spread “too well” in the garden via underground stems, so unless you have space for it to ramble in your garden, grow it in a pot or tub. How to grow mint in a gardenStep 1Choose a pot at least 300mm wide. Position in a partly shaded spot and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Step 2Fill starter trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sprinkle seeds over mix, lightly cover and gently water. Keep the soil moist throughout germination. Step 3Once seedlings reach 5-6cm tall, fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Transplant seedlings into pot and water in well with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. Step 4Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food to ensure strong root development and good leafy growth. Snip leaves and stems as you need them, removing any flower heads to help prolong the harvest season. Water regularly as mint thrives in moist conditions. How to grow mint in a potStep 1Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Keep the soil moist so the seeds don’t dry out. Step 2While the seedlings are growing, choose a partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Step 3Once seedlings have emerged, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. Allow seedlings to grow to about 5-6cm before transplanting. Step 4When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 45cm apart. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as sugar cane or pea straw and water in well. Step 5Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food to ensure strong root development and good leafy growth. Snip leaves and stems as you need them, removing any flower heads to help prolong the harvest season. Water regularly as mint thrives in moist conditions. Growing tips
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Mint is one of the most common herbs that everyone knows and loves. It’s perfect in a sauce for lamb dishes, scattered through salads for extra freshness or just chopped and placed in iced water for a refreshing drink on hot summer days. It is certainly a versatile herb to have growing in the garden. Mint (Mentha spp) belongs to the Lamiaceae family which are known for their square stems and strong aromas. There are many varieties to choose from so why not have a bit of fun growing and using peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, chocolate mint or even ginger mint? The spicy Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata) is technically not a true mint but enjoys the same growing conditions as other mints. It also makes a great addition to Asian food! How To Grow Mint Common mint
It is a difficult plant to grow from seed but very easy to grow from cuttings. Simply take a piece of mint, remove the lower leaves and place it in a glass of water. As sure as eggs within a week small white roots will appear in the water! Wait another week so that the roots are just that bit stronger and then plant out in a pot or directly into the garden. Keep well watered until the cutting establishes. Fertilising Pruning If the clump spreads too far then you’ll need to dig out the underground runners. Do this semi-regularly to contain the plant or consider growing it in a pot. Chocolate mint
Pest & Disease problems for Mint
The tiny Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) makes a fragrant groundcover in moist areas The spicy Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata) Should you fertilize mint plants?Most people worry about having too much mint, but any herb grown in a pot or that you plant to harvest regularly needs extra nutrition. Use a time-release fertilizer in spring when growth begins; just read the label for the recommended rate.
What is a good fertiliser for mint?NPK 16-16-16 is the best commercial fertilizer you can use to fertilize the mint. This ratio formula is found to be very effective in mint plant growth. This fertilizer is good for all mint species and does not reduce mint oil production. You should use this plant once a year in the spring season.
How do you promote mint growth?Supply garden mint with 1 to 2 inches of moisture weekly in the absence of a similar amount of rain. This is enough to moisten the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Water potted mint until the excess drips from the bottom of the pot. Even soil moisture results in fuller growth and healthier leaf production.
How do you make mint grow bushy?For bushier, healthier mint, pinch off the top two sets of leaves regularly. Don't be afraid to cut leggy mint plants to the ground, as shown at left. They'll quickly send up new shoots full of fragrant leaves.
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