The Challenges of Growing Mint In Your Backyard

On a hot summers day, there is nothing better than laying on a sunbed outside and drinking a cold beverage. We think there is nothing better then a Mojito, its even better if you use mint from your own garden.  We wanted to cover some the challenges of growing mint in your backyard.

A short introduction to mint

To sum up a rather complicated situation, there is no consensus about the number of species belonging to the genus Mentha (Min plant). In main, this is because some mints can crossbreed to produce natural hybrids, but human cultivation has also contributed much to their specification over the centuries.

Even though most mints share enough characteristics to be cultivated using much the same set of methods.  If you want to have a a great garden in the backyard.  Its important to learn more about your cultivars of choice.  Sometime there is special treatment needed to see them thrive.

Characteristics of  mint

Here are some of the most common characteristics of mint and their relevance to individuals interested in growing them:

• Mints are considered to be perennials, which is convenient for having fresh herbs in all seasons. However, it is important to remember that not all mints can survive under the same circumstances, though most fall under hardiness zones ranging from 3 to 8.

Remember that cooler temperatures in colder climates can kill all but the hardiest cultivars.  Meaning that mints should be brought indoors before the onset of extreme cold seasons.

• Not all mints share the same appearance.  A significant portion of them possess four-sided stems that end in opposite leaves. However, all mints tend to remain close to the earth. Rather than sprouting higher, the stolons of mints spread further and further beneath the earth.  Meaning, planting them to close to other plants can be detrimental.  Instead of planting mint seeds straight into a garden bed.  Interested individuals should prepare to restrict the expansion of their stolons.

• Most mints prefer partial shade but are nonetheless capable of surviving full exposure to the sun. In part, this is because mints prefer cool and moist soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. Since mints require frequent watering.  It is important to ensure that the soil is both well-drained and deep enough to contain that much water.  Meaning that elevated garden beds tend to be incompatible with them. Interested individuals should also consider using water-soluble fertilizers because frequent watering can wash away other kinds of fertilizer.

Options for growing mint

Given the challenges to growing mint in winter, here are some useful solutions:

• You can plant mint right into the earth.  Just make preparations so its stolons cannot encroach on its neighbors. Such as a container sunk right into the soil.  Which is perfect for hosting the mint while keeping its stolons within its circumference.

Containers with bottoms are best to use.  But bottomless containers are also acceptable so long as said containers measure at least 15 inches in length.  Bottomless containers are inconvenient if the local climate is cold enough that mint has to be moved indoors during winter.  But should work well through the other seasons.

• The other option is to use different methods for growing vegetables indoors. So, instead of planting mint right into the soil, try planting  them in garden containers. This ensures that the mint can’t encroach on other plants.  Also ensuring that it is easy to bring indoors once colder temperatures set in.

Conclusion to challenges growing mint

Sure there are challenges of growing mint, but once planted.  Harvesting mint for fresh herbs is as simple as snipping the leaves and stems.  Just leave an inch of stem standing above the ground.  The mint should continue growing to provide additional harvests time and time again.

No doubt there are challenges of growing mint, but with a little bit of thought, it can be quite easy.

Tags: challenges of growing mint, Gardening, Growing Mint, Mint