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Mint
Mentha spicata
Grow it in a pot — plant it in the ground and you'll never see the end of it.
Sun
Sun to part shade
Water
Regular; likes moisture
Soil
Any moist soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
In a pot alone
Days to harvest
60 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–9
Seasonal Calendar
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Plant in a container
Even in a raised bed, sink a bottomless pot to contain the runners.
- 2
Water freely
Mint likes it moist — thirsty pots bring flavor down.
- 3
Cut hard, cut often
Trim by half every few weeks to stop woody growth and force fresh shoots.
- 4
Divide every 2 years
Old clumps get weedy. Split and replant into fresh soil.
Common problems
Rust
Cut affected plants to the ground; new growth comes clean.
Woody, weak growth
Divide and repot — mint exhausts its soil quickly.
Good neighbors
Grow alone in a pot
Field tips
- “Grow different varieties for range: spearmint for savory, chocolate mint for tea.”
- “Freeze chopped mint in ice cubes for summer drinks.”