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HERBS: MINT
Posted under Herbal by adminVarious types LABIATAE
All the Mint family need water and more water, but never, never let their roots lie in soggy, badly drained ground. Mint will grow almost anywhere provided these two necessities are available—water and good drainage.
In warm climates mint will grow in partial shade or full sun (although too much shade will cause it to grow tall and spindly), and indeed will grow so vigorously that it is advisable to confine it in some way: in a walled bed, raised above the ground; in a large terra-cotta pot (12 or 14 inches will do); or, if you want it in the open garden, try sinking an 18-inch length of terra-cotta drainpipe upright in the garden, and plant your mint in this. If on the other hand, you have a large garden, and do not mind odd stalks of mint among the hydrangeas and gladioli, by all means plant your mint and let it wander. I grow all my mints both ways, my stock plants confined to large tubs and odd plants here and there in my garden. When I am weeding, the sudden sweet fragrance of applemint or sharp spearmint tells me my mints are on the move again.
All the mint varieties will inter-pollinate, and sorting out the species can be a headache. Try to grow them away from each other if you are a purist, for their flavours will eventually become adulterated if cross-pollination occurs. Alternatively, nip off all flowering stems as they appear—sometimes a tedious job, but well worth it to preserve the flavour.
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