Look for swollen stems with orange spots on the leaves.
Growing mint outdoors.
Pinch the tips of mint regularly to promote bushier fuller growth.
Water container grown mint whenever the top inch 2 5 cm of potting mix feels dry to the touch.
Otherwise the mint.
Dig up the plant and bin it.
Keep the area around mint free of weeds.
It can adapt to just about any type of soil but develops the best foliage in moist well drained soil that has been enriched with compost.
Growing mint likes well drained nutrient rich moist soil with a ph between 5 6 and 7 5.
You can grow an entire pot full of different varieties of mint.
You can add 1 3 landscape sand to improve drainage if needed.
Beg a runner from a friend or buy a small plant in the spring once the risk of frost has passed.
Mint can tolerate a bit of dry soil but not long periods of drought.
Some of my favorites to grow in containers are ginger mint pineapple mint chocolate mint orange mint and apple mint because they are all low growing plants.
Where to plant mint.
It s best to grow them in pots to keep them from taking over your garden even if you re planting in the ground.
Otherwise it looks untidy and the weeds may reduce yields and affect flavor.
Quick guide to growing mint.
Check plants regularly for mint rust.
Grow mint in containers of rich well draining soil amended with 1 3 organic matter such as aged compost.
Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Plant mint in spring after the last frost.
This fast growing herb can grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent addition to indoor and outdoor gardens.
Mint rust remains in the soil for at least three years so don t plant other mints tarragon or chives in that spot after infection.
Plants thrive in zones 3 11 depending on the variety.
For growing outdoors plant one or two purchased plants or one or two cuttings from a friend about 2 feet apart in moist soil.
How to grow mint plants outdoors plant mint in full sun or part shade.
If you re growing potted mint plants outdoors check the pot daily during hot dry weather.
One or two plants will easily cover the ground.
Mints will grow readily in sun or part shade and some types even survive in shade though they may become leggy.
Growing mint in pots outdoors pots that measure 8 inches or more in diameter and are 10 to 12 inches deep provide sufficient room for a mint plant.
That said mint isn t picky.
Strawberry pots can be great for this in which you can plant a different mint in each pocket.