Mint plant growing tips can be easy to follow. If you already own a mint plant growing either in the soil or in a small container, or if you happen to have a friend or family member that does this, it really is very easy to dig up the whole plant, pot it all together, and bring it inside. It is only when the roots are deeply rooted that it is considered to be a viable division. Any other way, it is just leftover foliage that will most likely die back soon. There are a few things you can do with your leftover pieces of mint.
The first is to recycle. Just because you might have thought of yourself as being a “vegetarian”, don’t think that you can’t grow mints in your kitchen. Herbs such as sage, chives, and tarragon can be used to flavour foods – simply chop them up finely, add some oil and salt, and spread it on breads and crackers for something different. You can even sprinkle it onto certain foods such as pasta sauce to give it a little more zip. Even though these herbs are not edible, they make great additions to the table and provide an herb-lover’s delight.
If you find mint growing around your home, then it is likely that you are going to need a sunny location for the plants to thrive. Mint tends to prefer full sun but you may have trouble finding some in shady areas in your area. If you do not find any in your local area, then you can easily grow them from seeds. Mint is relatively easy to germinate. It is also important to remember that as the plant starts to grow, so will the leaves so make sure to water the plants well when the weather is warm and dry.
Mint growing is not difficult but there are some things you should know. The first thing you should do is determine if the area you plan to grow your herbs is weed-free and not full of rocks and other types of obstacles. Mint plants do not like to be planted in rocky areas so you should plan your garden for a flat area. Mint will also not do well with low pH soil. You should also try to avoid using fertilizers and pesticides when growing herbs as they tend to burn the roots.
Mint will grow best if it gets a lot of sunlight, but some areas will not allow this. If you are not able to get enough sunlight, then you may try using window boxes instead. These are small boxes placed on windows that allow good amounts of light but prevent herbs from growing into the soil. Window boxes can either be built or purchased. If you choose to build your own, then you will want to make sure to place the box in an area that receives a lot of sunlight. Mint can also be grown in containers but you will want to keep in mind that the flowers do not bloom until summer time.
Herbs can also be grown with other plants that are meant to help them grow. This can include lettuce, chives, basil, cilantro, parsley, oregano, thyme and tarragon. You can harvest mint leaves by separating the flower buds from the seeds. Harvesting mint seeds is slightly different than harvesting the leaves. After the buds have dried up, you will need to place the flowers in a cheesecloth and pick them off with a fork.
Mint plants tend to do better when they are planted in pots rather than seed spread. Pots are easier to manage and maintain making them a popular choice for gardeners. They can also be planted in many different areas depending on how much sun they prefer. Some plants only need a small amount of shade, while others may need full sun throughout the year. If you are not sure about where to plant your mint plant, you can check with a nursery to get suggestions as to which plants they recommend.
Mint can also be grown in your yard if you are willing to give it full sun. Mint grows very well in full sun, so you should have no problem providing this important herb for your landscape. Plants such as lavender and thyme can also be used if you are growing them for their aroma instead of their taste. Both of these plants will reward you with their wonderful smells.