Mints

[SpookyShoe]

Clockwise from top:
Pineapple (variegated), Spearmint, Orange, and Apple.

IMG_20220327_092631888.jpg

Chocolate.

IMG_20220327_080120833.jpg

[worth1]

I've had a hard time keeping mint growing here.
Not for sure why.
I know it hates full sun and have plenty of shade.

[SpookyShoe]

For me, it likes cooler weather. In the summer mint won't thrive in the heat and blazing sun, so I move it to dapple shade. Thyme doesn't like my sun and heat either. Parsley and cilantro will poop out too.

[Tormahto]

Clockwise from top:
Pineapple (variegated), Spearmint, Orange, and Apple.
IMG_20220327_092631888.jpg

Chocolate.
IMG_20220327_080120833.jpg

It would be best to separate your Clockwork Orange mints into individual pots, before they all get into a tangled mess of roots.

It looks like you have the true chocolate mint (squared stems). I have black peppermint (I think, as I'll check the stems this year). If you would like some roots, just ask.

[worth1]

Years ago when I lived in Austin a house I lived at had mint all over the back yard.
It was really thick up against the west side of the house.
I think my mint died out here due to neglect more than anything.
That was the year my wife passed away and lost interest in a lot of things.
I love spearmint for Mojitos and iced tea.

[Tormahto]

Years ago when I lived in Austin a house I lived at had mint all over the back yard.
It was really thick up against the west side of the house.
I think my mint died out here due to neglect more than anything.
That was the year my wife passed away and lost interest in a lot of things.
I love spearmint for Mojitos and iced tea.

You should try to get the real Mojito mint.

[worth1]

Years ago when I lived in Austin a house I lived at had mint all over the back yard.
It was really thick up against the west side of the house.
I think my mint died out here due to neglect more than anything.
That was the year my wife passed away and lost interest in a lot of things.
I love spearmint for Mojitos and iced tea.

You should try to get the real Mojito mint.

Which one is that?
I'm partial to spearmint.
Loved spearmint gum when I chewed the stuff many years ago.

[Tormahto]

Years ago when I lived in Austin a house I lived at had mint all over the back yard.
It was really thick up against the west side of the house.
I think my mint died out here due to neglect more than anything.
That was the year my wife passed away and lost interest in a lot of things.
I love spearmint for Mojitos and iced tea.

You should try to get the real Mojito mint.

Which one is that?
I'm partial to spearmint.
Loved spearmint gum when I chewed the stuff many years ago.

The mint from Cuba. I don't know if it's legal to possess, here in the US, or not. But some people do have it. Up here, it may not be hardy enough to overwinter. That's the one reason I don't have it, nor looked for it. And, I don't drink Mojitos. Hmm, that's two reasons.

[worth1]

Then drink fakeitos.
I used to make them in Alaska where you couldn't have alcohol.
Everybody loved them.
Mint sugar and soda water.
Just no rum.
Very tasty and refreshing.
The soda fountain had just regular soda water.

[Tormahto]

A mix of black tea and black peppermint, steeped, some sugar added, and then chilled, works for me.

[pepperhead212]

My spearmint is just starting to peek through in my mint bed. It is definitely my favorite, and I would grow it inside in the off-season, but it attracts aphids. Strange thing is, they have never once appeared outside! And they show up on the stems, not the leaves, no matter what I do, and when the spearmint is gone, the aphids are gone. No sense whatsoever. Yet, they never show on peppermint, though it's not as good.

Here it was in early June, last year - almost all spearmint, but a little peppermint in there, in the lower part of the photo, as well.
A little bit of mint, 6-10 by pepperhead212, on Flickr

That mint bed is on the NW corner of my house, and gets sun late in the day, and I do little to help it grow! I do have some drip lines it it, for when it gets dry, but that's only in the drought season. It is completely surrounded by concrete, so it's not spreading any!

[worth1]

I would be happy if it took over the whole yard.

[Tormahto]

My spearmint is just starting to peek through in my mint bed. It is definitely my favorite, and I would grow it inside in the off-season, but it attracts aphids. Strange thing is, they have never once appeared outside! And they show up on the stems, not the leaves, no matter what I do, and when the spearmint is gone, the aphids are gone. No sense whatsoever. Yet, they never show on peppermint, though it's not as good.

Here it was in early June, last year - almost all spearmint, but a little peppermint in there, in the lower part of the photo, as well.
A little bit of mint, 6-10 by pepperhead212, on Flickr

That mint bed is on the NW corner of my house, and gets sun late in the day, and I do little to help it grow! I do have some drip lines it it, for when it gets dry, but that's only in the drought season. It is completely surrounded by concrete, so it's not spreading any!

A large enough bed to meet all your needs, and then some, I assume.

From the photo, it looks like you are letting the mint naturally grow tall. I have a bed of black peppermint almost as big as that. It takes me about an hour to pinch off the tops of them all. I pick a nice warm day, when my back is feeling good.

[SpookyShoe]

Double post.

[SpookyShoe]

Clockwise from top:
Pineapple (variegated), Spearmint, Orange, and Apple.
IMG_20220327_092631888.jpg

Chocolate.
IMG_20220327_080120833.jpg

It would be best to separate your Clockwork Orange mints into individual pots, before they all get into a tangled mess of roots.

It looks like you have the true chocolate mint (squared stems). I have black peppermint (I think, as I'll check the stems this year). If you would like some roots, just ask.

You're right, they will become an uncontrollable, tangled, hot mess. I'm going to make hanging baskets out of each individual mint. They can't stay in full sun anyway during the coming months. And the pot I have them in is unnecessarily deep. The pot is meant for a singular, large plant.

I've seen the mojito mint before, but I haven't noticed it this year. Yet.

[Tormahto]

Clockwise from top:
Pineapple (variegated), Spearmint, Orange, and Apple.
IMG_20220327_092631888.jpg

Chocolate.
IMG_20220327_080120833.jpg

It would be best to separate your Clockwork Orange mints into individual pots, before they all get into a tangled mess of roots.

It looks like you have the true chocolate mint (squared stems). I have black peppermint (I think, as I'll check the stems this year). If you would like some roots, just ask.

You're right, they will become an uncontrollable, tangled, hot mess. I'm going to make hanging baskets out of each individual mint. They can't stay in full sun anyway during the coming months. And the pot I have them in is unnecessarily deep. The pot is meant for a singular, large plant.

I've seen the mojito mint before, but I haven't noticed it this year. Yet.

Hanging baskets, and your large pot are very attractive. With the tougher mints, you're probably OK, especially partially shading during the strongest sun and hottest temp of the day. If you ever have trouble with the weaker mints, double potting might be the way to go. Many people, up here in the northeast, plant a cheap thin plastic pot with the bottom cut off and the lip about an inch above the soil line. It's the easiest way to stop the invasive spread. In using an overlapping hoop of weed barrier, mint can find a way to squeeze through that overlap.

[karstopography]

I’m growing one mint, called mint julep. Seems to be a form of spearmint. It’s nice, very fragrant. It’s in a bed that gets a lot of shade. I hope it thrives. I like having fresh mint available.

[Tormahto]

Mint isn't going to go well flavoring many things. But, the things it does flavor well, WOW!

[karstopography]

I want to try a butterbean, butter, mint and lime recipe. I’ve got the butter beans growing. When I have mint fresh, I’ll use it in various places. In Tomato sauce, on shrimp and salmon. I want to do something with mint and cucumbers, hopefully I’ll get a surplus of those.

[pepperhead212]

I just noticed yesterday how fast those mints are taking off - some of them over 6" tall already. The peppermint is a little faster, early on, but the spearmint eventually takes over. After a little longer, they will be filled in, and the other weeds will be almost choked out! Later today will be my first batch of mint flavored tea of the year.
Mint is growing fast! Some of it is 6 inches tall already, and it is filling out the area, as usual. by pepperhead212, on Flickr