What Should I Do With All This Mint?

When we moved into our home, the previous homeowner left us with a garden box that was overrun with mint.  The advice we got from everyone who noticed it was to remove the mint before it became unmanageable.  Since I am one who could never throw a living plant away, I opted to find a way to keep the mint, and keep it contained. My vision was to place other herbs in the planter box with the mint, keeping it from invading the space of other plants and choking out other herbs in the garden.  I know what you’re thinking right now…won’t the mint take over every area of the garden?

Knowing how aggressive mint can be, I kept it from spreading by placing it in a plastic pot, using a throw away pot that I saved after purchasing a perennial at the garden store. It has holes for drainage, but is sturdy enough to hold up against the tenacious root growth and expansion that mint can present.    

1) Plant mint in a sturdy plastic pot (this one is clay colored, black pots are a good option to blend with the color of the soil)

2) Dig a hole in the ground or planter box, or area you wish the mint to grow

                      

                 

                      3) Water well after transplanting and in the summer growing months

4) In late fall - mint that is transplanted into a planter can be returned to the ground in its pot during winter to protect the roots from getting too cold and allowing them to receive some moisture during the coldest months of the season

                                      

Give mint a chance

See how mint can be a wonderful complement to your backyard or garden.  Use the mint’s hardiness to your advantage by adding it as a lush, green pairing to your seasonal planters and garden beds.  This perennial plant will perform beautifully in the heat of the summer, as well as the cool and even frosty days in spring and fall.  With its fast growing nature, you can use mint generously for a garnish to add charm and character to your summer drinks and dishes, or use as a long lasting greenery filler to summer flower bouquets.