Garden mint

[jerseybean]

Got some lovely Garden mint yesterday. Pulled up from root. I have planted some in compost and put the rest in water for rooting. What is the best way?
Thanks

[Alison]

When you say pulled up from the root do you mean that it already has some root on the stem? Have only ever propogated mint by splitting existing plants which is very easy as mint is a bit rampant and grows pretty quickly.

[jerseybean]

Yes there was quite some established root present on my bunch!

[Alison]

I'd probably just put it in a mix of basic potting compost with some added grit, keep it moist, warm and in plenty of light but make sure you don't overwater. Not sure if that's the proper approach so somebody else may disagree but that's one of the good things on this site - lots of people ready to share their experiance.

[jerseybean]

Thanks Alison.

[pigletwillie]

you will be well advised to plant your mint into the ground " in a pot" otherwise you will find that it spreads like billyo.

[rustylady]

Agree totally with Piglet

Mint is usually fairly easy to root, if you've a bit with roots on put into a pot of gritty compost and stand back. I've rooted sprigs in water and then potted them up and they,ve done well.

Whatever you don't plant it in the garden unless you really want wall to wall mint. It even comes up through the lawn!!!

I use fairly large pots (8" or 10") and keep some in the greenhouse to overwinter.

[Snadger]

Most herbs are Mediteraniun in origin and like it hot and arrid....mint is different, it likes moist soil and will even tolerate a bit of shade!
Probably a bog plant at one time!

[nick the grief]

...mint is different, it likes moist soil and will even tolerate a bit of shade! Probably a bog plant at one time!

...... like water mint : Mentha Aquatica

[supersam]

Hi

I fancy growing some mint next year, in a pot of course. Where is the best place to get it from a garden centre or from seed. I haven't seen either but it may not be the time of year for it yet. When does it become available in the centres.

Thanks

Sam

[Alison]

Varioius varietyies of mint will be in the garden centres next spring but seeds are available all year round. I got my mint from my sister in law who split her's for me.

[Lesley Jay]

Supersam I would also buy a plant next spring from the garden centre. They cost about £1.50. Rub the leaves between your fingers and then you can decide which variety you prefer. You get about 500 seeds in a packet and the speed mint grows you should only need one plant.

[Sue]

Supersam
Have you got a farmer's market near you, there's nearly always someone selling plants, we're lucky enough to have a "herb lady" and she has lovely healthy plants, I got apple mint, ginger mint and spearmint this year, all at £1.25 - good to know it's all locally grown too.
If you have the space then rampaging mint is very attractive and good groundcover although I found I had to protect it from slugs until it was well grown.
Sue

[supersam]

Thanks all, Im not sure about any farmers markets but I'll try and find out, must be one somewhere. I think the garden centre seems the best option otherwise the whole of Stockport could be buried under mint! 500 seeds ??? I know its going in a tub or pot as theres not much room in our garden anyway without it taking over valuble space.

[Alison]

I'm pretty sure there is a farmer's market in Stockport - have a list of all of them in the north west at home so will check tonight and let you know.