Seeds - Mint
A wise saying goes: Those who can name all the good qualities of mint also know how many fish are swimming in the ocean. Two qualities that stand out in any case are its spicy, cool taste and its refreshing scent. Just a few fresh mint leaves add a special touch to strawberries, ice cream, jams, fruit, or mixed drinks, and they also taste excellent dried in a soothing and refreshing tea.
Specifications
| Plant information | |
|---|---|
| year-round | |
| Site-loyal | |
| Mentha spicata var. crispa | |
| 30-60 cm | |
| perennial | |
| Green | |
| For teas and seasoning food. Very decorative in mixed bed and balcony plantings. | |
Planting instructions on the cover
Perennial mint loves loose, nutrient-rich, humus soil and a location that protects it from overly strong sunlight, especially the midday sun. It needs to be watered regularly. However, waterlogging should definitely be avoided. To maintain its aroma, it should be trimmed repeatedly and fertilized sparingly.
Detailed planting instructions: "Cinderella" Mint
About 30 diverse mint species thrive in our latitudes. However, expert opinions vary on this number because many mints tend to form natural hybrids. Books dealing with horticulture and botany often list rows of synonyms for mint species. Botanists, who are otherwise not known for being argumentative, have also disagreed on which mint varieties qualify as their own species. The great thing about this confusion: all species are very similar in terms of planting and care. And the good news that follows: one set of planting instructions is sufficient for all mints.
For those lacking the imagination as to why one would even grow mint, let it be said that there is hardly a more versatile plant. Tea, lemonade, long drinks, cocktails, desserts, for example, and those are just the culinary fields of application. Mint is just as popular as chewing gum, candy, or chocolate filling as it is as a spice. And without mint’s essential oils, pharmacies would have a hard time offering the right remedy for colds or respiratory diseases. In the pharmacy, as in real life (i.e., in the garden), mint is: it loves to crowd out the competition.
This means that it likes to, quite literally, steal the water from other plants growing in its immediate vicinity. Under the ground, its roots spread aggressively, leaving rivals little chance. Rule number one for the planting instructions is therefore: definitely use a tub and do not plant it freely in the garden. The space in this single cell called a container doesn’t make the mint ungrateful; on the contrary. With proper care, it will show its appreciation for years.
Preferably sunny and moist
Now the growing can begin, well, almost. First, a shoot is cut from an existing mint plant at a point that promises new growth. After about a week in a glass of water, white roots will actually sprout from the branch. If that takes too long for you, simply get a cutting or a small plant at a garden center or hardware store. Oh, and the best times to plant mint are spring and autumn. Next, fill the aforementioned container with soil and a polymer that can store water – because mint prefers it moist. Now simply plant the cutting a few centimeters deep and find a suitable spot for the pot.
Mint likes it not only moist but also sunny, at least in the morning. Ideally, this would be a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. A windowsill on the corresponding side of the home would be welcomed by the mint. Anyone planning to grow this plant outdoors should, of course, plant it in a suitable container in the garden bed and look for partial shade. Nothing rocket science here; you can easily manage it.
The care? Quite simple
Home-grown plants naturally want to be cared for. But even with that, mint is uncomplicated. The soil should be kept moist, but not wet, and you should prune the upper part of the plant every now and then. This causes more delicious leaves to grow on the sides and keeps the mint from getting too tall. If buds appear, they should be cut off immediately, which also increases the leaf harvest. And if insects like weevils or flea beetles infest the plant, wash them away with water. But be careful, the pests like to hang out on the underside of the leaves.
Speaking of the underside of leaves: if you discover spots here that look brownish and orange, then rust fungus is usually to blame. However, you can easily get this under control with an anti-fungal spray for plants. If the tub becomes too small for the mint at some point, it is time to repot and divide the plant into several pots. This is great for the taste and scent of the mint, which will remain intense and fresh for years to come.
