Mint Growing Guide
Mentha
![Mint]()
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Any average, well drained soil where mint's wandering tendencies can be kept in check.
Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
Frost tolerant
Hardy even in cold climates. If desired, small plants can be potted up in fall and grown through winter indoors.
Feeding
Not generally needed.
Spacing
Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 9" (25cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost. Mint is also easy to root from stem tip cuttings stuck into moist potting soil. Some strains are propagated only from cuttings rather than seeds.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Frequent pinching back helps to keep plants bushy and full, and it delays flowering. Spearmint or peppermint are the most versatile strain for cooking.
Harvesting
Gather sprigs as needed in the kitchen. Gather stems for drying in early summer, just before the plants bloom.
Troubleshooting
Often becomes invasive. If possible, grow near walkways, driveways, or other hard surfaces, or in containers buried halfway in the ground.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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