Mint is an absolute must-have in many refreshing drinks! As well as its irresistible minty taste, it has a beautiful smell. You can smell it even if you’re miles away!
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your gardening journey, growing mint will be as easy as pie! It’s perfect for containers too.
This is a great opportunity for those of you who don’t have enough space in your garden. You can even place containers on a terrace! They are pretty handy!
The First Step Is To Choose The Variety
This might be the hardest part! I know this won’t help you with the decision, but each type has a different taste. I’m not a big fan of choosing, so I had to grow at least three of them!
You can try planting apple, chocolate, ginger, and julep mint. It will be interesting for you to compare them and note down your ratings. Gather all your housemates to play this game.
Let everyone pick their favorite one!
Place Mint In The Sunny Part Of Your Garden
It would be ideal for your mint to receive four to six hours of sunlight. This helps their leaves get that delicious aroma!
Do you live in an area where summers are too hot to handle? Then provide them with partial shade for a few hours. Especially in the afternoon, when temperatures rise!
On the other hand, if you live in a region where the weather is colder, no worries! You can still plant them indoors under an LED grow panel! This ensures they get enough light for blooming.
With a little creativity, anything is possible!
Don’t Forget To Water
What’s the best way to find out if your herbs are thirsty?
This method has actually helped me with every plant I’ve had! Place your hand on the soil and if it’s dried out, you should water them! With mint, you’ll need to do that every two to four days.
Another important thing is that your container has drainage holes in the bottom. That’s very important! It will allow excess water to drain away and prevent root damage. That’s why you need to make sure that you choose the right container!
Trimming Plays An Important Role
Spring is the best time to give your minty leaves a haircut! There’s only one thing that you’ll need: gardening scissors! Then head over to your herbs. You’ll notice their beautiful scent as you approach!
If you notice yellowed or wilted leaves, trim them. It’s best to cut about one-third off the end of each stem. By doing this, you will encourage spectacular new growth for your mint!
You Should Watch Out For Pests On A Daily Basis
You must be careful because mint is like a magnet for pests! Who wouldn’t be attracted to that scent? Spider mites, flea beetles, aphids, and cutworms love to feed on this herb.
Be cautious with using pesticides if you intend to use the leaves in the kitchen. It’s best to wash them thoroughly with a strong spray of water! Pay attention to the undersides of the leaves, as that’s their favorite hiding place.
You might also consider attracting an interesting insect! Having ladybugs near your mint has many benefits. They bring harmony to your garden by driving away pests!
From Harvesting Mint To Making Delicious Food and Drinks
It’s finally time to harvest those minty leaves! You can do this until late October. The best time is early in the morning before the sun heats up the herb!
If you want to keep the mint fresh for a long time, put it in the fridge! You don’t have time to use it right away? Then freeze the leaves! They can stay in the freezer for up to six months.
You might find this part the most interesting! If you didn’t know, you can play around and try drying the mint leaves. Simply put the herbs in the oven and wait for them to get crispy. Just be careful not to burn them.
There’s another method where you can involve your little ones. Encourage their creative side and make an herbarium together!
The leaves will be dry in about two weeks. After that, you can add them to lemonade or use them to garnish cocktails! You can even make a chocolate cake and sprinkle it with dried mint. That’s the most delicious dessert I’ve ever tried!
Let’s see, you have everything that you need now, right? Then it’s time to make your container shine and fill it with sweet-smelling mint!
The process is really easy and these herbs won’t occupy much of your attention while gardening. But you’ll be the one who becomes obsessed with their appearance and scent! I can’t pass by my garden without breathing in that perfect aroma!
So, grab that container and start growing minty leaves now!
Until next time!