Mint is a staple in my herb garden. It is such a versatile plant.
It smells fresh and tastes even better! My favorite way to use mint it to put a couple of springs in my water. YUMMY!
Here's some tips to help you grow and tame the invasive mint...
When I pick flowers I usually tuck a little mint in my arrangements. Flower's abound indoors too at StoneGable. Here are some of the fruits of my early morning stroll to the garden. Can you see how pretty the mint looks. Too bad you can't smell it!
Mint is the smell of fresh... and clean ... and sweet! Just rub a mint leave between your fingers and that fabulous familiar fragrance wafts through the air.
For me, it brings back memories of my childhood. Mint grew in wild abandon at the side of my grandmother's home. When the windows were open the whole kitchen would fill up with the smell of mint! Glorious!
Now for the down side... and there is definitely a down side!
Mint is invasive! It is bossy and pushy. It doesn't like to live with other plants. I learned about it's bad behavior the hard way!!!! I planted mint in a perenial bed in my previous home and it took over the bed and side of the hill! Mint puts out roots called "runners" and they eventually form leaves and make another plant. And they are prolific! It took 3 years of weeding and digging to get rid of this nuisance!
When I moved into StoneGable I did not plant mint. But I missed having it as part of my summer herbs!
One summer I planted several varieties of mint in big pots and put them on my patio. They did beautifully. It was like putting an unruly child in a playpen!
It wasn't long before I thought to sink a terracotta pot in the ground to contain the roots from spreading. This was not an original idea, gardeners have long been containing mint this way. And it worked too!
If you don't have mint in your garden I hope you will try this technique! It's so easy! They are hardy plants that, once contained, live perfectly happily planted with other herbs or flowers.
Planting Mint:
Choose a pot at least 4 times bigger than your mint- it will fill in the pot in no time and you don't want to repot each year.
Dig a hole bigger than the terracotta pot.
The pot's rim should be above ground level when potted.
Put the terracotta pot into the hole and backfill hole with dirt.
Put a flat stone to cover the bottom hole in the pot amd partially fill the bottom of the pot with potting soil.
Plant mint in pot and fill in with potting soil.
Water in well.
Mint will grow vigorously and can be cut often. As it starts to flower, pinch off the flower tops. It will last all summer long! And it will stay in it's own little space!
And when it has given you it's best, it will quietly retire for the winter. But, be looking the next spring~ mint will wake up and be more beautiful than the year before!
Just make sure you dig up you pot and check it out for any cracks. If you pot is cracked the mint will start to stray into the rest of your garden!
When your mint gets too big it can easily be divided!
Love the idea of planting the pot in the ground, I have my potted but never thought of planting the pot!!
ReplyDeleteYour mint looks wonderful.. oh, I bet it smells great!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. Now, to pull up all of my mint and get it in a pot will be tricky! Carla
ReplyDeleteI went over and voted for ya...you're in the lead so far.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely touch that I appreciate and admire! Your herb garden is a treasure and something I would like to do also.
I'm heading over to vote for your tablescape.
Hugs, Cathy
I never thought of putting mint in with fresh flower arrangements! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in rural Wisconsin and even though most of the farms near us were dairy farms, there was also a very large mint farm a few miles away. On summer nights when the wind was just right, we could smell the mint just like it was right outside our window, instead of 5 miles away!
Yvonne, I love mint and the smell of it drives me wild...yours is beautiful in your garden. Joni
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Yvonne! Your method for taming mint is the same as mine. Don't you just love all the wonderful varieties of mint available. Chocolate mint is a favorite. Years ago we lived for a few years in Washington State and the area of our city we lived in was refered to as Mint Valley. YUM, the smell of the breeze was wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
Mint is wonderful but can be a gardening nightmare. I thought I was being careful with it and put it in a large pot, but quickly the roots split the pot into pieces and found their way into my garden. Mint can be evil.
ReplyDeleteYour bouquet must smell wonderful. What a good idea! I gave up growing mint a few years ago but perhaps I should try it in a pot again. There are some interesting new varieties out now.
ReplyDeleteYvonne: I just visited and voted. Every entry is spectacular. I love the soft pinks and white that you used. The peony petals on the lace cloth are a special touch. I felt that the birthday cupcake was there just for me. I cast my vote for StoneGable!
ReplyDeleteI've been out taming mint this morning and have a pitcher on the kitchen counter. Sometimes I just walk by and give a leaf a pinch!!
Best,
Bonnie
OK, I voted. I think you are a shoo-in. I'm cooking this week, will report results if not put to shame. xx's
ReplyDeleteI will try with a little pot. I like the aroma, but not the taste. Yes, I have heard it is very invasive. I like the idea of it in the arrangements!
ReplyDeleteWhile there were many beautiful contenders, I love your table setting the most. You set the bar so high, yet you always achieve the same level of stunning. Regarding mint, I'm in my second year of trying to eradicate it from a 12 x 12 bed. I eventaully had to kill everything in the bed save the Magnolia to get rid of it. Then I piled on at least 8" of mulch before winter. I moved the iris before doing so, but everything else went along with the mint. I'm still trying to hold it at bay this year and finally gave in to the round-up. I hate using any kind of chemicals in my yard, but nothing else has worked and it is impossible to dig out. It's like a massive urban highway system of runners underground that nearly breaks the spade - - backbreaking I tell you. Anyway, I'm so mad at mint for not playing nice that it's going to be a while before I introduce it back into the playground of perennials and herbs. Though I must admit I've missed it terribly in my fruit salads and teas this year and know I'll cave at some point. I think I'll double pot it before sinking it in the ground and keep a hawk's eye on it. Thanks for softening me a bit on the mint. Love all your posts.
ReplyDeleteI voted for you..good luck! I love mint, the smell is so wonderful! It grows on ditch banks around here! Good idea to plant the pot in the ground too. Come say hi :D
ReplyDeletewell I can use it in flower arrangements, that will help get rid of some of that stuff! Now...I have a Chinese Lantern issue.....grrr
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very informative post about mint and planting it. I am new at this "planting" stuff, and I need all the info I can get. Your post was so detailed and answered all my questions. I WILL be planting some mint. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteD
I've seen what happens in someone else's garden when mint decides to travel!
ReplyDeleteChocolate mint is my favourite and it will overwinter sometimes in the huge pot I keep it in. Other times I have to buy a new plant.
Hi again Yvonne - I'm going to try growing mint again in a pot, but this time I will pay more attention and divide it. I love having fresh mint and I just have to keep it out of my flower beds. I swear that one tiny bit of root will grow into a large plant in a matter of days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info on mint. I never knew it was so invasive.
ReplyDeleteI went by a voted for you! Your peony table is stunning!
Donna
I Yvonne, went over and saw your Pink Peony Table and voted for you...good Luck, your tables are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. Thanks for the suggestions about a tuitorial on the metal tags. I had already been thinking about doing that sometime soon since People coming to my etsy store had been asking if I am going to offer a kit. So I wil probably be selling the blank tags for people to make their own anyway.
As usual your blog looks great! I loved the pics of your mint, I can practically smell it! Haha, oh yeah I guess it's my mint I'm smelling :) Yeah it's invasive but, it's one of those plants you just have to have a "love ~ hate" relationship with, and plant it anyway.... LOL!
Hi Yvonne! I too learned the hard way so last year I planted 5 different varieties in pots and they flourished there. We moved from there and I have been curious to learn if they escaped from their pots and came out on the other side of the sidewalk! Im thinking about planting some on a barren sunny hillside at the new house...love love love the scents!
ReplyDeleteI voted for you, too! The peonies tablescape is so beautiful! Good luck and thanks for the tip on her site...everything is so fun to look at! I am sipping a glass of tea with a sprig of mint right now! Great tips! Christie at www.threepixielane.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMine do just beautifully in pots,too. I love putting a little in my mixed bouquets the greens are always to bright and the smell can't be beat.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteI just voted, your peonies are gorgeous. Thanks for all these tips, will definitely try to plant in the container - a weekend project!
Thank you so much for all your lovely words on my lates post. It was just what I needed to keep working even harder!!
Hope things are going well for you this week my friend. Take care of yourself,
Mimi
mint is my absolute favorite plant to grow. i love it!! your flower arrangements are beautiful. i love how you mixed your mint in with the flowers. it feels so summery!
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteWell it looks like you're rocking the Daisy Pink Cupcake contest. I was just over there voting for you!! :) That was an incredible post, well actually all of yours are.
I just love mint. we used to have it in our old house's garden. My husband hated it and ripped it all out because he hated how invasive it became. Oh well, needless to say we don't have it here in our new garden. If I want any I will have to go buy it. I love how you use it in your flower arrangements, It looks and smells so pretty that way. You are so clever :)
Can't wait for another creative post. I hope you are having and great day and staying cool. It's going to be a hot one!
XoXo
Gail
Oh, lovely (your arrangements are so beautiful!). I love mint, and I actually buy it to make my spa water (my summer staple drink, cut up lemon slices, cucumber slices add rosemary and mint, let steep in distilled water in refrigerator overnight, delish!). So, I really should grow some of my own, you have inspired me, Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteYvonne--you are too funny! My ears weren't burning yesterday! :) I just love keeping up with all the fabulous things you're doing around your home, and I'm so glad you read our little blog and find enjoyment in it too :)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work--your mint looks lovely . . . I can almost smell it!
Hi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteMint is so wonderful, I love the fresh scent and bright flavor, especially in homemade lemon/lime aid. I love all of your pictures and helpful tips regarding keeping it contained. It is very aggressive when left free to roam in ones garden!!
Have a wonderful week/weekend
xoxo
Bunny
Hi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteMint is so wonderful, I love the fresh scent and bright flavor, especially in homemade lemon/lime aid. I love all of your pictures and helpful tips regarding keeping it contained. It is very aggressive when left free to roam in ones garden!!
Have a wonderful week/weekend
xoxo
Bunny
have you ever smelled Lemon Balm? I love the smell. its almost like lemon Pledge. But it is just as invasive. I have finally gotten most of mine out. to be honest tho, I hate to lose it all, as I love the smell, especially when I am pulling it.
ReplyDeleteTammy
I agree with you Tammy on all accounts about Lemon Balm. We can't imagine going without it in our garden! It has been well behaved as long as I dead head it before it sends it's seeds out.
DeleteThank you for the tips -- I knew this but this is a great reminder. I also had mint at one time and destroyed it because it was going everywhere. I will get the clay pots and plant it. I love beautiful flower arrangements.
ReplyDelete