fresh mint cake with with dark chocolate mint frosting, 12 Great Ways to Use Mint and Tips for Growing It, https://www.rareseeds.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=mint. Learn more. The truth of the matter is that mint is a plant, and while it can and will most definitely spread, it takes some time for this to happen. Chickens love fresh herbs and mint is no exception. Cuttings of mint will root easily in soil or water and mature plants can be divided and transplanted. You can do small patches at a time, if you have a lot of mint, and prolong the harvest season. See a mint plant that is growing where you don’t want it? Last updated on November 16, 2020. One thing mint needs is constantly moist soil with adequate drainage. Here are some other great posts on how to use up lots of mint: Do you grow mint in your garden? I’m looking for a recipe my mom used on my face when I fell on a wood heater and was burned bad. They do well in lightly shaded areas with adequate moisture and relatively fertile soil. I live in Bellbrook, Ohio, near Dayton, Ohio, and my yard backs up to a woods that is being taken over by Prairie Garlic which is very invasive in this area of Ohio. I put catnip in a raised planter bed. Many mints work well in herbal lawns. It never seems to do as well as mint grown in the ground, probably because it really doesn’t like being contained! The problem with doing this is that the mint wins. Give it to me straight. Use an organic fungicide and try to allow plants to dry between waterings. Stressed plants may also be bothered by whitefly, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. I several varieties my favorite being Mountain Mint. I really want to find out how it was made. Mint is happy to grown inside or out, all year round and prefers shade with just a little touch of sunshine here and there. You can grow it in full sun if you water it frequently. Most of the herbs that grow in the shade on the list below have been used as single or base ingredients in natural remedy treatments for centuries. Not good. To avoid the mint plant overtaking your garden, it's best to plant in a container. If you do not harvest your mint regularly, it will benefit greatly from a shearing mid-season. :) I noticed that you used it several times, so wanted to drop the note. Please see my Privacy Policy. We humans are definitely smart enough to outwit the mint, making it possible to enjoy all of its benefits. It is a natural flea repellent, and I often see Cosmo the kitty rubbing up against the mint plant. While growing mint usually presents few problems other than aggressive spreading on the part of the plant itself, pests can occasionally affect mint plants. this year I bought a plant, that looks hearty enough, and have potted it and it’s currently on my back patio where the sun can’t get to it as much, and I will remember to water is. Even in pots, there will be more than enough to harvest and you will not have to worry about the high maintenance of keeping the plants in check. Taken from cuttings or divisions, mint is best planted in buried pots to keep it from spreading too vigorously. Angelica – Angelica plants are also suitable shade herbs. That is the time to cut the plants back by one-third to one-half. It has jumped the bed where I planted it in the ground in my earlier gardening days, and so when we mow the lawn, you can smell it. The long branches grow upward and then flop over and root, spreading the plant wherever it can reach. Varieties of mint (Mentha) are some of the easiest and most popular herbs to grow. I grow mint also loved article. Do not harvest more than one-third of the plant at any time, to prevent weakening the plants and sending them into decline. Mint will tolerate some shade, however, the variegated varieties of mint need to be protected from full sun. Nutrients seem to leach away quicker from potted plants that are frequently watered. However, it is very useful as a flavorful culinary herb and the plants can certainly be grown without much care. If you’re interested in learning more about herbal medicine, check out the awesome online courses from the Herbal Academy! Copyright © 2020 Grow Forage Cook Ferment & Cocos Creations LLC. Don’t sugar or honey coat this mint balm. The only maintenance required will be to make sure that you keep the mint in check and watch for overgrowth. It’s a great plant for a rocky herb garden, a neglected corner of your yard, or a high traffic area. It overshadows the hostas and takes all the sunshine before they can flower. But, there are many reasons to grow mint in your backyard without fear! It went down, then sideways under a concrete paver walkway and several feet of lawn and popped up through an inch or so of mulch around a pine tree. Mint is the gift that keeps on giving (and giving)! However, according to the ASPCA, the essential oils in mint are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. It keeps bugs, flies, and parasites at bay, as well as being an antioxidant and digestive aid for your flock. Mint is also a powerful medicinal herb. Have a mint julep, mojito party, or raspberry mint infused wine, you deserve it! While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate some shade, and it will probably keep it from spreading as quickly. Mints are easy to identify and not just because of their spicy scent. Harvest mint sprigs before the plant flowers. I have chocolate mint in another shallower container. For best results, make mint a container plant or pot it before adding it to garden beds. If a lot is ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Hi, I keep mint in a pot for a different reason. Check out my very favorite teapot for making herbal tea here. This rhubarb mint jam sounds delicious, so does this traditional mint sauce for lamb. I already threw out the chocolate mint. Hi, thanks so much for this useful article! The best part about growing a plant that is as aggressive as mint is that you can be just as aggressive back at it without worry of harming it. Excellent idea. The best part is that it’s also great for them and their coop. Yes it does grow like crazy but the spider mites keep attacking my plant. That said, mint isn’t picky. Parsley – In warmer climates, parsley can be grown in shade. « 15 Persimmon Recipes: cakes, pies, jam, cocktails & more! I have lemon balm growing in a small (4′ X 4′) bed. It can be helpful for seasonal allergies, and can also be added to body care products like salves and lip balms, soaps, shampoo bars, and lotions. I still get bit every time I go out there to water. BTW: my foraging friend just turned me onto you and I am starting your free course.