HOW TO GROW MINT ORGANICALLY?
Stand back! Mint (Mentha) produces quickly and can take over in ideal conditions. As a result, many home gardeners prefer growing mint in containers to keep it… well, contained. Fragrant plants are easy to propagate from seed and perfect for beginning gardeners.
Natural Mint Products supplier In USA is one of the leading manufacturers, exporters and supplier of one of the most popular of all herbs, mint — spearmint and peppermint — which is known by its square stems, aromatic leaves and refreshing flavor. Hardy perennial plants thrive in sites with moist, well-drained soil and will often grow 3 feet in height.
The US produces 70% of the world’s peppermint and spearmint supply with almost half of the mint oil production being used for flavoring chewing gum.
Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Harvesting Mint
1. All types of mint are easy to propagate and can easily take over other plantings
2. Plant from seedlings (recommended) into compost-rich soil; water faithfully
3. Harvest throughout the summer season — use fresh or dried
4. Water in the morning to prevent rust and anthracnose
5. Watch for aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles and spider mites
6. Other Requirements:-
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Maturity: 75-90 days from seed
Height: 12 to 30 inches
Spacing: 12 to 24 inches apart
Site Preparation
Mint grows from underground runners and thrives on abundant water. It’s not fussy about soil or light, but ample water is mandatory for success. To prepare planting sites, dig in plenty of rich organic compost. Avoid using animal manures with potential weed seeds since weeding becomes difficult in an established mint patch.
How to Plant
Sow mint seeds indoors (4-6 weeks before last frost) just beneath the soil surface. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in late spring. Can also be direct sown outdoors just before the last spring frost. Space plants 1-2 feet apart in all directions and mulch to retain moisture and keep leaves clean. Mentha is easy to propagate from cuttings. Older plants can be divided up every 4-5 years.
Harvesting and Storage
Harvest mint leaves regularly and enjoyed throughout the summer months. Leaves are best when picked early in the morning just before the dew evaporates. To dry plants, cut the stalks just above the first set of leaves, as soon as the flower buds appear. Hang upside down in bundles in a dark well-ventilated room for at least two weeks.
Insect & Disease Problems
Several garden pests are common on mint including aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles and spider mites. Apply least-toxic, natural pesticides to prevent further damage and establish control. Plants are also susceptible to fungal diseases, such as rust and anthracnose. Hand prune infected leaves and apply organic fungicides — copper or sulphur — at first sign.
Seed Saving Instructions
Seeds are ready to harvest when the blooms begin to turn brown and dry. When the heads are completely dry, gently crush them between your hands and then carefully winnow away the chaff.
Different Methods To Grow Mint Starting Mint From Seed
Though it’s quite simple to grow mint from seed, you will have little idea what the plant will look like in the long run because mint plants tend to cross-pollinate with each other and produce hybrid seeds. Some varieties, like peppermint, are almost impossible to grow from seed. This isn’t a problem for everyone, but if you want to grow a specific variety of mint, it’s usually best to start with a transplant or cutting.
If you decide to grow mint from seed, you can start your plants indoors roughly seven weeks before the last frost and transplant them outdoors to have a thriving mint supply all summer long. Mint seeds should be thinly spread on potting soil and left uncovered because they need light to germinate. In most cases, germination should occur within two weeks if you keep the temperature between 68 and 75 degrees. Once the plants have their second set of leaves, they are ready to be moved outside.
Cuttings From Pre-Existing Plants
If you have a source of thriving mint plants, the easiest way to start some new ones is to grow them from cuttings. Simply cut a four-inch sprig about ½ inch above a junction in the branch. You can pull off any leaves in the bottom few inches and place the sprig in water, making sure that none of the remaining leaves are under the water line. Usually, after a week small white roots will appear, and a week after that the cutting is ready to be planted in soil.
Plant a Runner
By definition, runners are the long stems that grow away from the main mint plant as it spreads throughout the surrounding area. However, you can use these rooted stems to start new plants if you carefully dig them up and plant them where you want them. It’s an effortless way to get your mint started.
Growing Mint in Containers
It’s never safe to assume a small amount of mint will remain in place in your garden, as this herb is notorious for dominating its growing space. For this reason, many gardeners choose to grow their mint in containers in order to stop it from taking over.
Once a transplant has been planted in a pot, it’s best to keep it in a place with plenty of sunlight. Make sure that you keep it in a place where you’re likely to reermemb to put it to use, like the kitchen windowsill.
Planting Mint Outdoors
If you decide to risk the invasion and plant mint in your garden, the best time to do so is in the spring. Mint isn’t too picky about its soil conditions and can thrive in pH levels ranging from 5.6 to 7.5. In most cases, it grows best in rich, well-drained soil that gets full sunlight throughout much of the day. Organic fertilizer can be a big help for mint plants, but be sure to avoid using any type that might contain weed seeds, as weeds can quickly overtake a young mint patch.
When you plant your mint, it’s best to plant the rooted sprig just below the tip of the soil. If you plant multiple seedlings, be sure to space them at least fifteen inches apart in order to give them enough room to grow. As the plants grow bigger you may need to thin them down farther.
Choosing the Best Mint Seeds for Your Conditions
There are over 3,500 different varieties of mint on the market today, though there are a few standout varieties that most gardeners prefer to plant. Below are some of the top mint varieties you can easily grow at home.
Apple Mint: Alternatively called “woolly mint”, apple mint has fuzzy, serrated leaves and is a great addition to iced drinks.
Ginger Mint: Smelling strongly of spearmint, ginger mint has beautiful bright yellow stripes on its leaves and is delicious in melon salads.
Peppermint: Well known for its spicy fragrance, peppermint also is full of medicinal benefits that make it well worth growing at home.
Spearmint: Similar to peppermint, spearmint has bright green, pointed leaves that have a more mild flavor.
Additional Growing Tips for Organic Mint
Mint might be a simple plant to grow, but there are a lot of different ways you can tweak your experience to get better results. Below are some top tips to help you get your mint growing to its full potential faster.
Mint grows quickly, so it’s smart to cut it back heavily in order to keep it at a manageable size.
When trimming your mint, trim off the top of the plant to keep it growing bushy, not leggy.
Mint seeds are poisonous if eaten, so be sure to keep your seed packets far away from children and pets that might be looking for something new to try.
To extend your harvest time throughout the season, a pinch of mint flowers when they appear.
If you want to keep your mint contained in the garden, try growing it in a bottomless container. This allows the roots to go deep into the ground for maximum nutrition without allowing space for the stems to spread.