Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall.
Growing mint outdoors.
Dig up the plant and bin it.
Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant in the spring once the risk of frost has passed.
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.
Keep the area around mint free of weeds.
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.
One or two plants will easily cover the ground.
Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost.
Otherwise the mint.
Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5.
You can grow an entire pot full of different varieties of mint.
Where to plant mint.
Mint can tolerate a bit of dry soil but not long periods of drought.
For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.
Plant mint in spring after the last frost.
How to grow mint plants outdoors plant mint in full sun or part shade.
Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier fuller growth.
You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed.
Check plants regularly for mint rust.
Otherwise it looks untidy and the weeds may reduce yields and affect flavor.
That said mint isn t picky.
Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety.
Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves.
It s best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden even if you re planting in the ground.
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.
If you re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot dry weather.
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.
Water container grown mint whenever the top inch 2 5 cm of potting mix feels dry to the touch.
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.
Quick guide to growing mint.
Photo by lorna kring.