Growing Mint Outdoors

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.

Growing mint outdoors.

Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost. This fast growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. Strawberry pots can be great for this in which you can plant a different mint in each pocket. 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.

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. Mint can tolerate a bit of dry soil but not long periods of drought. How to grow mint plants outdoors plant mint in full sun or part shade. You can grow an entire pot full of different varieties of mint.

Otherwise it looks untidy and the weeds may reduce yields and affect flavor. Check plants regularly for mint rust. Keep the area around mint free of weeds. Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves.

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. If you re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot dry weather. Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier fuller growth.

For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil. One or two plants will easily cover the ground. Dig up the plant and bin it. Photo by lorna kring.

Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant in the spring once the risk of frost has passed. Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5. 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. That said mint isn t picky.

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. Where to plant mint. Mints will grow readily in sun or part shade and some types even survive in shade though they may become leggy. Otherwise the mint.

Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety. 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.