How to Grow Mint in your Garden

Mint is probably my favorite plant to have in the garden! Why is that you may ask?! The fragrance of course! Let me show you how easy it is to grow mint in your garden!

I LOVE walking by our mint patch and smelling the fresh mint leaves in the air. You can rub a leaf or two with your fingers and the smell is so refreshing.

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Not only is it SOOOOOOO easy to grow mint! It comes back every year.

Have Room to Grow

If you are planting the mint directly into the ground. Be sure to have room for it to grow. Expect it to double in size in no time!

Mint is extremely invasive, and sprouts runners in every direction you can imagine. You can trim these runners back to help keep the Mint contained to your designated area if you like.

(That’s what I do with my garden patch) But keep your eye on it!

You may also grow mint within a container and place that into the ground to help with the runner control. Make sure your pot has proper drainage though.

We started a separate patch in our garden in a raised box that sits maybe a foot off the ground. Which many years ago used to be where our sandbox was. But Momma converted it into her own little garden of sorts. We orignally had other various vegetables growing in there, like onion and kohlrabi. But now its a jungle of minty goodness!

Since we started the mint in our raised box, it has just blossomed and we haven’t placed anything else in there, since it was doing so well.

Plant in a Container

Mint is also capable of being planted in containers. Definitely the easier route to go if you are short on space. Also makes it easier to maintain.

The runners will most likely try to climb out the bottom where the drainage is, but will also hang off the sides. Just go ahead and trim those back as needed. And be sure to check if your container has any cracks or other holes in it. Those runners will sneak out any way they can!

Think of all the fun you can have with those pots displayed. Maybe make a tower of different species of mint? How fun!

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Harvesting your Mint

This is also simple to do. We use a pair of scissors to trim off our stems. You can easily pinch the stems off with your fingers as well. But after your plant becomes fuller and you have more to harvest, your hands will thank you later for using the scissors.

Let your mint plant grow so it becomes full. You will want to harvest before it flowers. I have found that the longer you wait, the more earthy the mint will taste.

Trim your mint back so there are a few sections of leaves on each stem still. Maybe 3 or 4 depending on how full your plant is. You may then pull your leaves off the stem and place them into your herb dryer.

Be sure to store them in a dry place.

How to Use Mint

We have various kinds of mints in our garden. We use the majority of our mint to make homemade mint tea. Which is so simple and delicious!

All you have to do is pinch off a handful of leaves from the same kind of mint, put them in a pot of boiling water. All you need is a few seconds. Let it cool down. Then place in your gallon jug of choice and add water. Then you may add sugar to your own liking. It's our summer go to!

We currently have Apple Mint, Chocolate Mint, Pineapple Mint, Spearmint, and Peppermint. There are more varieities you can try. They all have different smells and tastes. ALL ARE AMAZING!!!

You can also use your mint in cooking and health shakes. You can use it in herbal ways as well, like essential oil or rice bags and packs. Which I have also experimented with and they smell so good. I'm tellin ya.

Mint also has many uses medicinally. It is a natural antioxidant and is full of many health benefits. You can see all the ways to Use Mint here!

Tool Bag

Natural Repellent

Mint can also be used as a repellent. Plant it in a pot and place it on your porch or an area where you lounge and it will help keep those pesky aphids away and repel the mosquitoes.

Where my homesteaders at!? Grow mint around your chickens! Not only is it good for them to nibble on, but it will help keep bugs away from your chickies and will deter those mice from your coop. How awesome is that?! Plus, I'm sure it will make the chicken area smell nicer.

Good News!

Mint makes an excellent companion to many other plants. But is also a great attraction to your pollinators! Which is always a plus!

Companion plants:

• citronella
• marigold
• lavender
• petunia
• cabbage
• lettuce
• potato

And more! Check out other companion plants for mint here!

The choices are endless! Just remember to enjoy your fresh smelling Mint garden!

Lettuce and Leafy Greens Vegetable Seeds - (20 Variety)