Growing Mint Outdoors Uk

Growing mint in containers mint is particularly suited to container growing and will grow happily in potting compost.

Growing mint outdoors uk.

Water the plant if the pot dries out and feed with an organic liquid plant food once a month during the growing season. Once the little plants are ready to transplant take containers outdoors and let them acclimate for a week to outdoor conditions before moving them. If growing outdoors you will want to plant mint plants in a section of your garden that has borders to keep runners from invading your entire garden. Ideally mint needs 1 to 2 inches 2 5 to 5 cm of water per week during the growing season.

Where to plant mint. When growing in pots rejuvenate congested clumps by upturning the container removing the rootball and splitting it in half. Check plants regularly for mint rust. For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.

Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5. Repot a portion in the same container using fresh compost. The best size of container depends really on how much mint you want to grow. Water new plants regularly.

Mint is a delightful herb to grow in the garden and has many uses in the kitchen. Dig up the plant and bin it. Mints will grow readily in sun or part shade and some types even survive in shade though they may become leggy. Mint is a vigorous plant that will spread all over the place if planted straight into the ground.

Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves. Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall. If you are growing indoors a window box or a similarly wide shallow container with good drainage works best. Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost.

That said mint isn t picky. You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed. 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. As far as the compost is concerned for mint grown in containers we have always grown it normal multi purpose compost.

Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety. Photo by lorna kring. We have also asked the national herb centre what they use when growing their mint in containers and they also use multi purpose compost. Plant your mint in the pot and insert several wooden dowels next to the plant to give it support as it grows.

It is best to buy mint as young plants in spring. Use drip irrigation or water in the morning to allow leaves to dry.