How to grow mint at home, planting the plant in open ground, harvesting. How to grow mint at home

Mint is one of the plants that everyone has heard of, whether they have their own garden or not. It is used in medicine, used as a seasoning for a variety of dishes, as well as many cold drinks and cocktails. In addition, mint is also used in perfumery, and everyone has tried mint chewing gum at least once.

Peppermint: description of a medicinal plant

Peppermint is a perennial herbaceous plants of the Lamiaceae family, growing this variety is especially popular in the country. Mint gets its unique aroma thanks to the special essential oils found in the leaves.

Peppermint can reach a meter in height, the leaves are dark green in shape, have a heart-shaped base with a pointed end, and the petioles are practically not pronounced. They are light green below, about 2 cm wide and 4-6 cm long. Peppermint has small flowers, but this is not why this plant is grown.

Did you know? Peppermint is a hybrid obtained by crossing mint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica).

Features of planting peppermint

The main thing to remember before planting peppermint is that this plant is a creeping plant, and if its growth is not controlled, then it, like a weed, will fill the entire area.

But don't worry - this problem is very easy to fix. To do this, it is necessary to drive limiters into the soil that will restrain further growth of rhizomes. If you take the matter seriously, mint can be grown in large containers with drainage holes, but slate sheets or iron hoops from barrels are also excellent for this purpose.

Did you know? Mint was actively used back in Ancient Greece and Egypt, and it received its current name in honor of the nymph Menta. According to legend, it was turned into a plant with a cold-refreshing, but at the same time delicate aroma.

When is the best time to plant mint?

It is believed that peppermint is best planted in mid-spring or early in the last month of summer.

Important!Do not plant this plant too close to others, it may simply outlive them.

How mint growth depends on lighting

When choosing a place to plant mint, you should pay attention to the lighting. Mint loves light, but at the same time does not like the dryness that the sun provokes. Because of this, it is best to plant mint in partial shade; 4 hours of sun per day is considered optimal for mint.

What should the soil be like for planting?

Peppermint prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Clay soils are completely unsuitable for it; the plant will not survive in them. Excess moisture will affect appearance mint, so it is not recommended to plant it in places where groundwater pass close to the surface. For soils that are not too rich, it is recommended to add manure to them, but only rotted manure should be used.

Important! Fresh manure contains a lot of nitrogen, which will increase the growth of leaf mass of the plant and at the same time reduce the content of essential oils in them.

Propagation of mint, how to plant peppermint correctly

There are several types of mint propagation, each with its own pros and cons. The most the hard way Peppermint is grown using seeds. Most often, gardeners propagate this plant cuttings or dividing the bush.

Growing peppermint from seeds

Due to the technological complexity of this method, some people do not know how to grow mint from seeds, so it is not recommended for beginning gardeners. But if you have experience, or you like difficulties, then landing must be done in this way:

Peppermint cuttings

With cuttings the situation is much simpler. As with any other plant, you need to root the cut mint first. Place a freshly cut mint sprig (about 10 cm in length) in a glass of water. Within a week you will see tiny white roots in the water. Continue adding water to the glass to keep the roots submerged until they are about 3-5cm long. After this, the cuttings are planted 5 cm deep, but do not forget about the distance between the plants.

How to propagate mint by dividing the roots

When propagated by dividing the bush, peppermint must be carefully dug up and the rhizomes cut so that there are at least ten nodes on each. Mint can get very stressed because of this, so you need to know how to plant it correctly. Next, plant them in holes prepared in advance to a depth of about 10 cm. Newly formed peppermint bushes should be at least 30-40 cm apart from each other. best results experienced gardeners It is recommended to add a little humus to each hole before planting.

What peppermint loves: plant care rules

Peppermint is unpretentious, so growing and caring for this plant does not require special knowledge. It is enough to comply simple rules: do not forget to water the plants, regularly loosen, remove weeds and perform simple subcortex.

Soil care

In summer, the soil must be loosened regularly. You can limit yourself to a couple of times, but you can loosen more often - it won’t get worse. It is also necessary to regularly remove weeds around the peppermint, this can be done at the same time as hoeing.

When and how to water peppermint

Mint is not too demanding when it comes to watering; it is enough to water the plants twice a month. In dry weather, the intensity of watering needs to be increased; peppermint does not like dry soil.

Mint is one of the the most useful plants the entire planet. This unpretentious plant care for it and grows on all types of soil. Its common type is peppermint. Lovers of pleasant aromas and her healing properties allocate land for these nutritious and healthy greens, and it was no exception home growing mint on the windowsills. In this way, the air in the house will be saturated and purified with the smell of menthol. Growing mint at home starts with choosing planting material and containers for planting. This article will tell you in detail about how to grow mint and care for it.

The selection of landing capacity is very important point, the pot for planting mint should be wide and low. This is due to the fact that mint has a strong and branched root system, which will not feel comfortable in a small box. The soil must contain a large number of peat If you decide to use soil from your summer cottage, and not from a specialized store, it is better to choose a more fertile mixture with a higher content of useful microelements and then the plant will develop well. Having decided to choose soil from the garden, you cannot simply pour it into a pot.

The soil must be disinfected with a solution of manganese, and then calcined with boiling water or washed with water. These procedures are necessary to reduce bacteria in the soil, which can infect the plant and, as a result, make it sick. Growing mint is possible in two ways: different methods: mint seeds and cuttings. It all depends on how quickly you need the mint harvest and what you ultimately want to get.

Cutting method - should be dug in the fall mature plant and divide it into seedlings without damaging the roots. A large and voluminous mint bush should be divided into several parts with a certain number of buds and stem shoots. Before planting directly, the cuttings are rooted in sand or in a jar of water until the roots of the plant grow. At the bottom of the container in which the mint will be placed, drainage is needed, then a layer of prepared soil. The soil is well moistened and mint roots and shoots are covered. After 2-3 weeks, green leaves will appear on the stem, after which the entire plant should be fed.

Fertilizing is done with urea (carbamide) 1-2 grams per liter of water. In winter, the plant does not need feeding. Mint loves a well-lit place at any time of the year, but in the summer you need to be careful and not let the mint soil dry out or crack. Watering is necessary only with water room temperature. The plant grown by cuttings will be a copy of the dug up bush in the fall.

When planting mint seeds, the first shoots appear within three weeks, and the bush is formed within two months. The grown plant will be tender and pleasant, while the plant from cuttings will have mature and firm stems. Mint tends to cross-pollinate and the bush shown on the seed package may not always grow. Therefore, you should plant several types of mint and plant them in polka dots together (for example: peppermint and plectranthus or any other type).

In order to start planting seeds, they should be spread out on the ground, where they should be no deeper than half a centimeter. The first shoots will appear within 2-3 weeks. For a small height, the plant should be placed in a well-lit place or illuminated with artificial lamps. Watering for the first time is done only from a spray bottle.

Video “Detailed instructions”

Detailed video instructions with tips.

Harvest care

Mint is an unpretentious plant and does not require special care. Here's to the mint home care may change at any time of the year. In the summer, caring for mint is almost no different from country mint; it grows well on a balcony or windowsill to be saturated with sunlight.

There must always be water in the pan to prevent the plant from drying out and the appearance of diseases (aphids or mites). Sometimes you should do additional care and spray the leaves, removing dust from them to add freshness and revitalization from drought.

In winter, caring for the plant changes slightly, and watering is carried out very carefully; it is at this time that processes take place in the greenery of the plant to fill the stem and leaves with juice and essential oils. Plant growth slows down, and the aroma is not as noticeable as in summer. Drafts are harmful to plants and should be avoided. So, now let’s sum it up and tell you briefly about all the steps for caring for mint:

1. Watering. You shouldn’t let it dry out, but you shouldn’t fill it with water either.
2. Spraying - regularly remove dust and allow the plant to breathe.
3. Feeding. In summer we feed 1-2 grams per liter of water once; in winter no feeding is required.
4. Lighting. In summer there is enough light, but from October to March it is necessary to add up to 12 hours of daylight to the plant.
5. Sun rays - direct light is destructive to the leaves; place the plant in a slightly shaded place.
6. Temperature. Cold for mint, unacceptable, necessary temperature regime 20-23 degrees. In summer we put it on the balcony, in winter on the windowsill.

How to collect mint

Mint leaves are collected young before the plant blooms. At this time they contain a lot healthy oils. Collection can be done in two ways: leaves and stems. But since our plant does not have large volumes and branching, the leaf method is suitable. You need to carefully collect a small amount of leaves from the bush and prepare them for drying or freezing.

Storage and procurement

Using the drying method, you need to wait well until the leaves dry and crumble them. Then all this is put into boxes or a jar for storage in a dark and cool place for no more than a year. You can also simply freeze the leaves in the freezer or in ice cubes, which can then decorate any drink. Using this method, almost fresh leaves can be added to tea even in winter.

Video “How to grow mint greens in a few days”

An indicative video for those who want to grow healthy greens at home in a few days.

Peppermint is one of the most common and beloved spicy crops by many. Therefore, many summer residents are interested in how to plant mint in open ground or in a greenhouse, how to care for a plant. Growing mint in the country is not a complicated process, but there are certain rules and nuances.

This spicy plant widely used in many industries. In addition to the specific taste and smell, the aromatic culture contains oils valuable for pharmacology. Mint is used as a seasoning in cooking, pharmacists add extracts from the plant to many medications, and traditional medicine offers many different recipes that are designed to help people treat various ailments. Growing mint from seeds personal plot does not require special physical and time expenditure, the green crop grows quickly, is not demanding on soil and other planting conditions, and does not require serious care.

What conditions does mint need and preparation for planting?

Peppermint prefers a bright and warm area for growth and reproduction. Planting mint should take place on a sunny, light hill; at the end of the day there may be light partial shade at the planting site. To save space on summer cottage, peppermint can be grown near young trees that will not shade the ground with excessively thick leaves.

For planting in open ground, mint does not require special conditions growth. It is not picky about the soil, but for the lushness and juiciness of the leaves, it is preferable to plant the spice on light soil, with good fertilizer.

Planting mint should be done in open ground in areas where root crops (for example, beets), corn or legumes previously grew.

After the harvest is harvested, in the last ten days of October, it is recommended to loosen the area where mint is planned to be planted and clear of weeds and dry leaves. If the area was previously empty, it is dug up, fertilizers, peat or compost are applied, after these procedures, the fertilizer is carefully leveled using a rake before planting the mint. Then, along the edge of the intended area, you should dig some obstacles for the uncontrolled growth of the crop - sheets of iron or slate.

Growing mint from seeds

Planting mint seeds is often done in a greenhouse. Seeds purchased at a specialized point of sale are planted into seedlings, which are subsequently transplanted to a plot and grown in open ground. The best period for planting is the second and third ten days of March. The landing algorithm consists of the following stages:

1. Take a container into which loose, fertile soil is poured; you can purchase universal soil for seedlings.
2. Mint seeds are leveled at equal distances over the surface of the ground, while each seed is lightly pressed into the ground.
3. To make planting more convenient, experienced gardeners recommend mixing small seeds with coffee grounds.
4. Next, the crops must be carefully moistened with a spray bottle and covered with polyethylene on top.
5. After the first shoots appear, the film is removed, the container with the seedlings is transferred to a bright place (window sill), when the weather becomes warmer, you can take the container with the seedlings outside.

Transplanting seedlings into open ground carried out in the second half of May or early summer. Until this time, the bushes should contain several pairs of leaves. Small holes are formed, a seedling is planted in each of them, pressed with earth. To retain moisture and prevent the growth of weeds, the soil under each bush should be mulched with humus. For the first 10 days, watering is carried out every other day or every two days.

If the sowing of mint seeds was carried out in March, by the end of summer the seedlings will turn into succulent strong bushes that will reach a height of at least 60 cm. favorable conditions, the crop can bloom in the first year after planting.

Propagation by cuttings and roots

The most common method of propagating the spice is cuttings and propagation by roots. For root propagation, it is necessary to dig out several developed shoots from an adult, well-formed bush. Next, the sprouts are planted in the ground in the usual way, with moderate watering after planting.

In order not to injure the root when digging, mint can be propagated by cuttings. For these purposes, a healthy shoot is cut off from an adult plant, placed in water, and after roots appear on it, the shoot is planted in the ground.

Plant care

Caring for mint is simple; this crop can take root in a new planting location in a short period of time. For complete care, the following activities should be carried out:

1. Water only during dry periods. In the absence of rain, water the plant no more than once a week.
2. They loosen the soil and weed out only in the first year after planting.
3. After the bush has established itself in a new place and begins to grow, the mint will crowd out all the weeds around it.
4. Loosening is necessary for better aeration of the root system.
5. Mint is fed two years after planting; it is necessary to apply nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer according to the instructions. Instead of ready-made fertilizer, you can add rotted compost, humus or diluted chicken manure.

Peppermint can be called, without exaggeration, the most famous and sought-after spicy aromatic crop. middle zone. Thanks to its specific cooling taste and the presence of valuable elements in its composition, it has found wide application in many areas. In cooking, it is used as a spicy seasoning to flavor confectionery and drinks, as well as to give chef’s masterpieces a piquant taste. In the pharmaceutical industry, menthol, obtained from mint, is the main component of well-known medicines. IN folk medicine With its help, a wide variety of ailments are treated - from stomach colic to heart disease.

To grow this useful herb in your garden, you don’t need to make a lot of effort: mint takes root well, grows quickly and does not need serious care.

Location and growing conditions

Since mint loves light and warmth, sunny hillocks and lawns are well suited for its growth; moderate partial shade is acceptable in the afternoon. To save space in small areas, it can be planted near young fruit trees with a not too thick crown. The crop does not have any special requirements for soil quality, but it grows more luxuriantly and succulently in light, well-fertilized soils. In accordance with crop rotation standards, the best preceding crops for mint are root vegetables (beets, carrots, potatoes), corn and legumes (peas, beans).

In late autumn, after harvesting, the mint bed is thoroughly loosened, clearing it of weed roots and old tops. If the area has not been cultivated before, it should be dug up with the addition of rotted manure, humus or peat, and then leveled with a rake. Along the edges of the plot, sheets of iron are dug into the ground, since mint grows quickly and begins to oppress neighboring plants.

Growing from seeds

At seed method When breeding mint, it is recommended to use seed purchased from a specialty store. Initially, seedlings are grown from seeds, which are then transplanted into open ground. Best time for sowing - the second half of March. The process includes several stages:

• Loose fertile soil is poured into a low container (a universal mixture for seedlings is suitable).
• Mint seeds are distributed over the surface, slightly pressing their soil. For ease of sowing, small dusty seeds can be mixed with coffee.
• The crops are very carefully moistened with a spray bottle and covered with plastic film.
• With the appearance of sprouts, the polyethylene is removed and the container is transferred to a bright windowsill, and with the arrival of warmer weather, the grown seedlings can be kept outdoors.

Transferring mint seedlings to open ground begins at the end of May - beginning of June, by this time 3-5 pairs of true leaves should form on the bushes. The transplant is carried out as follows:

• On the surface of the prepared bed, shallow holes are formed according to the pattern 45? 25 cm, in which the strongest and healthiest seedlings are planted, squeezing them with soil.
• The soil under the plantings is mulched with humus, which helps retain moisture and prevents intensive weed growth.
• In the first week, seedlings are watered every 2 days.

When sowing seeds in the second half of March, by the end of August, mint seedlings grow into powerful bushes up to 60–80 cm high. In favorable conditions, flowering of the crop can occur in the first year of life.

Propagation by cuttings and rhizomes

The most common way to grow peppermint is from the rhizomes of mature plants. To do this, several powerful, well-developed shoots are cut out from the root system of an adult bush dug out of the ground. When planting them in the ground, observe the following order:

• The surface of the bed is leveled, after which furrows about 10 cm deep are formed, maintaining a row spacing of about 45–55 cm.
• Rhizomes are placed in the furrows in a continuous thread, after which they are sprinkled with soil, carefully compacting it.
• Upon completion of the planting process, water moderately. Before the emergence of seedlings, the bed must be regularly raked, loosening the soil.

In order not to dig the bush out of the ground, mint can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, several healthy shoots are cut from an adult plant, placed in water or in wet sand, and after rooting they are planted in the garden bed.

Mint is a resilient crop, therefore all methods of its cultivation are effective and successfully applied in practice.

Planting care

Mint quickly adapts to new growing conditions after planting, so caring for it is simple and consists of such activities as:

• Watering - it is necessary only during dry periods. If there has been no rain for a long time, water the bed no more than once every 5–7 days.
• Loosening and weeding - it is necessary to remove weeds only while the seedlings are young. Subsequently, the adult mint will take care of itself, displacing all the plants from its territory. During the procedure, it is recommended to loosen the soil between the rows, which will ensure a flow of oxygen to the roots.
• Feeding is a procedure necessary for plants that have reached the age of 2–3 years. At the branching stage, nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the bushes at the rate of 10 g/m2.

There are many different varieties mint, they are all unpretentious, and when proper care will grow with you for many years. However, mint grows very easily and will compete with surrounding plants for territory if allowed to grow unchecked. To successfully grow mint, you will need to plant it in individual containers or keep the soil away from mint roots. Mint is a delicious and versatile herb that can be added to fruit salad, lamb or fish dishes, and can even be added to a glass of iced tea or cocktail. If you want to grow mint, start with step 1.

Steps

Part 1

• Try to plant mint or peppermint for a versatile herb suitable for most culinary purposes. More unique varieties of mint include: white peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, bergamot mint, basil mint, lemon balm, lime mint, Chinese mint, and others.
• If you decide to plant mint in the garden, make a fence for it. Sink the bucket with the bottom cut off into the soil and plant the mint inside it. This will prevent mint from growing throughout the garden.

Warnings

• Don't let potted mint fall into the garden or other container plants. Healthy mint shoots can take root in the soil even though they are still attached to the mother plant.
• Collect the leaves before the mint blooms - this is when they are in their best condition.