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.
Growing mint outdoors.
Photo by lorna kring.
You can grow an entire pot full of different varieties of mint.
Otherwise the mint.
Otherwise it looks untidy and the weeds may reduce yields and affect flavor.
Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier fuller growth.
Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall.
Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety.
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.
Strawberry pots can be great for this in which you can plant a different mint in each pocket.
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.
Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant in the spring once the risk of frost has passed.
Check plants regularly for mint rust.
Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5.
If you re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot dry weather.
How to grow mint plants outdoors plant mint in full sun or part shade.
For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.
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.
Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost.
Where to plant mint.
That said mint isn t picky.
Keep the area around mint free of weeds.
This fast growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens.
Water container grown mint whenever the top inch 2 5 cm of potting mix feels dry to the touch.
Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves.
One or two plants will easily cover the ground.
Dig up the plant and bin it.
You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed.
Plant mint in spring after the last frost.
Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Quick guide to growing mint.
It s best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden even if you re planting in the ground.