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