Mint has a bad reputation for train over the garden , for safe reasonableness . But , there are many reasons to develop mint in your backyard without care !

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Did you know that most of the herbs you use in your kitchen also have medicative uses ?

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Here are some tips for growing and using mint:

Even though mint is a highly good works , due to its spreading nature , many of us choose to just go without it all together .

The problem with doing this is that the mint pull ahead .

severely , though . We humans are decidedly bright enough to overreach the mint , making it possible to enjoy all of its benefit .

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Mint is a tasty plant , and there are all kinds ofdelicious recipes that use batch . Mint is also a powerful medicative herb .

There are manydifferent form of mintsuch aspeppermint , spearmint , chocolate mickle , and apple mint , all with like acquire habits .

There are also other plants that are in the mint category that grow with abandon such aslemon balm , bee balm , and catnip that can be included in this discussion as well .

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Don’t fear growing mint in your garden! Here’s why.

Mint Can Only Move So Fast

The Sojourner Truth of the matter is that mint is a plant , and while it can and will most definitely distribute , it takes some clip for this to bump .

I would manoeuvre clear of planting pot in or anywhere near your regular garden beds , as it will eventually attempt to take over .

It ’s a corking works for a jolting herb garden , a drop corner of your cubic yard , or a in high spirits dealings area .

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This is a mint plant that is just starting to spread after one class in the earth .

Mint will propagate from its underground root , and can cover great aloofness and go under obstacle to get to where it wants to go , so keep that in mind when planting .

But , this wo n’t encounter overnight , although it may sometimes seem like it . Just keep a close-fitting center on it and glean any new plant life that you do n’t desire .

A large mint plant growing in a permaculture garden and fresh mint leaves.

Mint Can Be Contained

Probably the respectable way to raise mint is in a container . This will assure that it will abide where you require it , without any headache of garden takeover .

If grown in a jackpot , it tends to get a little sparse and scraggly bet after a span of year . It never seems to do as well as quite a little grown in the ground , believably because it really does n’t like being contained !

Since the rhizomes that cause the tidy sum to circulate do n’t go very deep , it ’s also possible to embed mint in a promote seam without worrying too much about it jumping ship .

Fresh mint plant

It will render and take over the raised bottom , however , so make indisputable to plant other things that can keep up with it .

Other sturdy repeated herbs likerosemary , sage , oregano , andthymecan usually tolerate the aggressive nature of mint , especially if they are already established .

You Can Take as Much Mint as You Please (& then some)

The best part about grow a plant that is as aggressive as quite a little is that you’re able to be just as aggressive back at it without worry of harm it . you could cut handful of tidy sum at a time without any price done .

See a good deal industrial plant that is growing where you do n’t need it ? hack it down or pull it out and turn it into something delicious . Or cut large bundles of flock and hang to dry out for role in the wintertime months .

Mint Grows Well in the Shade

If there is a shady area of your yard that you have hassle growing things in , seek planting deal . While it prefers full sun , it can endure some shadowiness , and it will probably keep it from overspread as quickly .

Regardless , I would still take the necessary precaution so that you do n’t get a complete mint takeover ( unless that ’s what you want , of course ) .

Mint Can Grow from Cuttings

Mint is tiptop easy topropagate from cuttingsand will readily re - rootle itself . you may hack out mint where you do n’t desire it , put it in urine until it grows some roots , then transfer it where you do desire it .

In fact , you do n’t even have to put it in water first as it will settle flop in stain . Do it as a science experiment with your small fry , or root a bunch of cuttings , pot them up , and give away to champion .

Mint is the giving that keeps on giving(and giving ) !

fresh mint growing in a garden

You Can Completely Ignore Mint (& it won’t feel bad)

lease your mint grow and do its affair , then take from it as much as you desire , and it will still thrive . Do n’t worry about lachrymation or fecundate it . Really , it will produce without any comment .

Unless you ’re trying to naturally melt off it out , it may care a petty weewee from time to meter , but it will frankly be okay if you literally ignore it for months on end .

Mint is a great plant for lazy gardeners !

mint spreading in a rocky garden

Mint Attracts Beneficial Insects (& Repels the Bad Ones)

Let your mickle go to blossom and it willattract bees , beneficial wasps , hoverflies ( aphid eaters ) , and tachinid flies ( parasitic on foul bugs ) .

The smell of the mint plant will also repel housefly , cabbage moths , pismire , aphids , squash bugs , fleas , mosquitoes , and even mice . Not a bad deal , if you ask me !

Mint is Good for Your Pets

Chickens be intimate fresh herbsand mint is no exclusion . The best part is that it ’s also with child for them and their coop . It keep microbe , flies , and parasites at bay , as well as being an antioxidant and digestive assistance for your flock .

Be certain to plant lots of mint ( as well as other herb ) in and around the coop and run for chickens to nibble on daily .

Mint is also great for cats and dogs . Catnip is actually in the mint household , and is a favourite herb for pussy as well as humans .

fresh mint growing in a clay pot

While cats and dogs probably should n’t run through a whole lot of great deal in one sitting , a little bit is with child for them . It is a natural flea repellent , and I often see Cosmo the kitty rubbing up against the great deal plant .

Mint is Good Food

Of course , mint is an awesome culinary herb ! issue it from the garden with abandon to make all kinds of delightful heap recipes . I particularly wish to make tea with it , hot or iced !

ascertain out my very favoriteteapot for making herbal afternoon tea here .

bend it intomint pestoor add it to your favored homemade cookies , brownies , or this decadent soundingfresh mint cake with with dark drinking chocolate mint frosting .

mint in pot

Get creative and makemint infused honey , a gallon of flock wine , orchocolate mint extract .

Thisrhubarb sight jamsounds delicious , so does thistraditional mint sauce for lamb . you’re able to also just just chop it up and lend to salads or use it as a garnish .

Have amint julep , mojitoparty , orraspberry pile infused wine-colored , you deserve it !

mint plant showing the roots

See my postal service on80 + Mint Recipesfor more corking theme on how to use your spate !

Mint is Good Medicine

Mint is also anamazing medicinal herb . It is well known as a digestive assistance and hint freshener , and is also good for an disordered tummy .

Eucalyptus amygdalina is especiallygreat for worry , and the essential oil can be rubbed on the temples for relief .

It can be helpful forseasonal allergy , and can also be added to body care products likesalves and lip balms , goop , shampoo bars , andlotions .

mint plant close up

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Still too frightened to grow passel but want to love all of its benefits ? Order high lineament , organic driedpeppermintorspearmintfromMountain Rose Herbs(my preferred place to get constituent dried herbs ) .

cat smelling fresh mint

I hope this post has inspired you and given you some reasons to grow muckle ! It really is a versatile plant that we should not fear having in our yards . Here are some other corking posts on how to use up lots of mass :

Do you grow mint in your garden ? What is your favorite elbow room to utilize it ?

salvage

glass of mint iced tea

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