Properly cared for, all types of mint are a revelation in terms of scent and taste. The road there is neither rocky nor long. Of course, there are some important aspects that need to be taken into account. Below you will find answers to all important questions.
How do I optimally care for mint?
Mint requires regular watering without waterlogging, organic fertilization every 2 weeks in the bed or weekly in the pot, pruning before flowering and repotting every 2 years. In winter, light winter protection in the bed is advisable, in the pot it is best to store it frost-free.
How should mint be watered correctly?
Mint values a constantly moist substrate without waterlogging. Therefore, water the plant regularly and abundantly. Apply the irrigation water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage. The best time of day for water supply is early morning or late evening.
When and how to fertilize mint?
If you want to care for your mint professionally and at the same time eat it carefree, organic fertilizers come into focus. How to fertilize the herb plant in a balanced way:
- fertilize in the bed every 2 weeks from May to August with compost, cattle manure or similar products
- Fertilize mint in the pot weekly with organic liquid fertilizer (€13.00 on Amazon) in diluted concentration
- freshly planted in pre-fertilized soil, do not apply fertilizer
Does pruning make sense?
Careful care requires regular pruning. The sprawling growth of a mint cannot be controlled by repeated harvesting alone. Therefore, shortly before flowering, radically cut back all shoots except for two pairs of leaves. The cuttings contain a lot of flavor, making them ideal for drying and freezing.
Should mint be repotted?
The strong rhizomes of mint have completely rooted through a bucket by the second year at the latest. It is therefore advisable to repot them every 2 years in order to care for them properly. Here's how to do it:
- the new bucket is at least 10 centimeters larger in diameter than before
- create a drainage over the floor opening using potsherds or grit
- spread a water- and air-permeable fleece over it
- fill the lower third of the pot with a mix of herb soil, compost and sand
After these preparatory work, pot up the mint and plant it in the middle of the fresh substrate. The plant must not be any deeper than before. Last but not least, water it and place it in a partially shaded location.
Is winter protection necessary?
Mint is one of the hardy herbs. In autumn it pulls in its leaves and hibernates with its rhizomes. Proper care nevertheless provides light winter protection in the bed in the form of a cover with coniferous twigs. Ideally, you should carry mint in a pot to a frost-free winter quarters. Alternatively, cover the bucket with bubble wrap.
Tips & Tricks
No matter how lovingly you care for your mint, some diseases and pests still lurk. The fungal infections 'peppermint rust' and 'mildew' are particularly prominent here. Among the most common pests are the ubiquitous aphids and the mint leaf beetle, which make life difficult for amateur gardeners.
