HOW TO GROW MINT PLANTS

How to grow mint plants- http://dewdropsanddragonflies.blogspot.co.uk/

The common mint - Mentha spicata, otherwise commonly known as spearmint is a hardy aromatic perennial herb. It is native to mainland Europe, including Great Britain, where it is often used fresh or dried to make sauce and jelly to serve with lamb, or to make a refreshing tea.

How to grow mint plants - http://gardenamateur.blogspot.co.uk/

The are best planted as pot grown stock in March or April in a warm, partially-shady position. Mint prefers to grow in a rich, moist soil, however it will happily take in most garden soils including heavy clay. Before planting your mint, prepare the ground earlier in the spring by adding a liberal amount of well-rotted farm manure. During periods of extended drought additional watering will be required to prevent the leaves from scorching.

To maintain a compact habit with plenty of new shoots, pick the leaves regularly.

Mint plants can be prone to being invasive as they have a running root system just below the soil surface. With this in mind you may consider planting new mint plants in a bottomless pot to restrict their spread.

During the spring, clear the surface of the bed of debris and apply a top dressing of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Mint plants have a habit of exhausting the nutrients within the soil and so after a few years their harvest will begin to decline. At this point it is worth planting new stock in a fresh position. Alternatively, older, less vigorous clumps can be rejuvenated by splitting the root ball in half and replanting each section using fresh compost.

Pruning

Some mint species and cultivars can become straggly as they mature, so prune back spent flowered shoots to 5 cm above soil level.

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