Its a bit milder than true spearmint with a hint of citrus. In the case of a severe infection, the leaves may die, and rust may eventually kill the plant.

burpee seed boroughs gardening nyc spearmint packages bought Since these little arachnids are so tiny, youll probably notice webbing on your plant before you notice the insects themselves. Use scissors or a gardening knife to cut out a six-inch-wide section of the parent plant.

Spearmint spreads (and spreads and spreads) through rhizomes and stolons. Find more tips on growing mint from seed here. English colonists brought the pungent herb along with them to North America, and by the time of the American Revolutionary War, spearmint was an important cash crop that was popular as an alternative to black tea. Scotch spearmint (M. gracilis) is a hybrid between wild mint and spearmint. If you live in a hot area where the soil dries out quickly, add an inch of natural mulch like leaves, grass, or compost to retain moisture.

Fill your container with a moisture-retaining medium made for container plants. Either way, in about two weeks, the cutting should form roots. You can do this for several days in a row and you should be able to get rid of enough that your plants wont be harmed. In 1568, herbalist John Gerard wrote that Spere Mynte rejoiceth the heart of man.. Harden off rooted cuttings and plant them out in the garden as described above. This uncommon variety is also called American red or ginger mint. Mojito mint (M. villosa) is a hybrid with apple mint. spearmint plant pot herb mentha fragrant very organically colonel ky grown

The subtle flavor works perfectly in this peach and corn salad, from our sister site, Foodal. If you buy from one of our links,we may earn a commission. In the Middle Ages, spearmint was thought to be useful in treating dog bites.

Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) find mint to be a tasty little snack. Be aware that this fungicide contains toxic chemicals, so you shouldnt harvest your mint for at least a few weeks after application. It also has pretty pink or lavender flowers that attract pollinators. Spider mites attack a range of plants, but the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) loves members of the Mentha genus in particular. Dig two inches deep around your spearmint and sink the cardboard into the soil. Allow to cool before gargling. Thats where we got peppermint, actually.

All mints are bothered by some of the seemingly ever-present pests like aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Spearmint stands apart from other mint varieties because of its smooth, hairless, or nearly hairless leaves that attach to the stem directly, without a stalk in between. Snip the new plant free from the parent, and dig a hole about six inches deep and wide to carefully remove it from the ground. If they resist, theyre rooted. Tea made from the leaves can be used to help relieve headaches, stomach issues, gout, and coughs. Leaves will keep in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for three or four days.

Youll often see it growing along roadsides or in waste areas such as vacant lots or fallow fields. You can add a layer of mulch, such as straw or leaves, to help retain moisture.

Her passion is focused these days on growing ornamental edibles, and foraging for food in the urban and suburban landscape. There are a handful of pests that love it as much as humans do. That doesnt mean that they have no trouble with diseases, however.

Prepare the area by testing your soil first. Spearmint takes well to layering since pretty much wherever mint touches the ground, it forms roots eagerly. crispa or crispata, also known as curly or wrinkle leaf spearmint, has frilly, curly leaves on a substantial stalk. And lets not forget dessert! As mentioned above, it also contains high levels of carvone, an antifungal compound that gives this herb its distinct scent. Its also delicious with peas to make soup, or tossed with butter on pasta. You should always water at the base of plants and not on the foliage. While mint can be overpowering with some vegetables and fruits, spearmint is subtle enough that its a nice complement. You can do this at various times of year, as long as you have at least eight weeks of frost-free weather ahead of you. mint spearmint herbs plants burpee herb growing gardens tea plant seeds gardening garden outdoor spearmint burpee packet seed You can do this by giving four-inch seedlings an hour of indirect sun on the first day and then bringing them back inside. Note that you should avoid consuming spearmint if you have a hiatal hernia or acid reflux. Pepper mint lives up to its name! Spearmint has naturalized in nearly every state in the US.

Spearmint, on the other hand, is more mild. You can cut back plants to the ground in the fall if you choose. herb spearmint burpee Remove all of the leaves from the bottom half. All mint plants have a well-deserved reputation for being incredibly vigorous. Fill the planting area back in with soil, and water well to settle the roots and give the plant a good drink of water.

A lot of times, various types of mint are clumped together in one overarching category. This tenacious herb has naturalized across northern and western Africa, and North and South America as well.

In the past, Ive dug up a plant and tossed it in a corner of my yard where I forgot about it. But spearmint is truly unique in many aspects, from its flavor to its appearance. Keep in mind that hybrid species and cultivars cant be propagated by seed since they wont produce the same characteristics as the parent plants. If youve started your plants indoors, harden them off for about a week before planting them out in the garden. If you look closely, you may notice what looks like little dots scurrying around on the underside of leaves.

If you see the mottled brown, two-inch caterpillars in your garden, give them a poke. Any barrier will need to be at least a foot deep in the soil to work effectively. It was brought by Roman conquerors to Britain.

Add some pomegranate to make a sauce for chicken. Not only can they cause plants to be distorted or covered in stippling, but they spread disease, too.

Control aphids with a blast of water from the hose.

And why does it deserve a spot in your herb garden? The bigger problem, however, is that these little pests spread disease. Spearmint is attacked most often by the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in particular. burpee herb One of the keys to keeping spider mites away is to keep the soil around your plants moist.

It looks more like apple mint than spearmint, with round, hairy leaves.

Whatever propagation method you choose, mint transplants should be placed in the soil at the same level as they were growing before. Then its ready to go in the ground. Spearmint is lucky in that it exhibits some natural resistance to verticillium wilt, a common problem for mint growers. Weeds and debris give this pest a place to hide. burpee perennials That said, Ive never had a single pest or disease affect my mint in 20 years of growing it, if that tells you anything. Mint seeds like the soil to be constantly moist and warm about 70F. Or, to get a jump on the growing season, you can find a three-pack of plants available at Burpee. You should harvest just before the plants begin to bloom for the highest concentration of oils. Youll know you have them if you come outside and find stems that have toppled over. When it comes to mint, not all varieties are the same. Trim away any infected stems and dispose of them. For commercial growers, it can be a serious problem. seeds seed burpee packet lowes

Its effective in relieving flatulence and in easing nausea and vomiting. Spearmint will give you the best flavor when it is grown in a full sun location. Please share your tips for using your harvest I can never find enough ways to eat them. If all that fails, a chemical fungicide containing Azoxystrobin can be used according to the manufacturers directions. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. You can either prop the cutting up in a glass of water so its submerged by about half, or dip the cut end in a powdered rooting hormone and place it in a seed starting medium with two-thirds of the stem sticking out. Youll have to replace it every so often, after watering or particularly after it rains, but it creates an effective barrier by desiccating the worms if they try to cross. She was raised in the Utah desert, and made her way to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two dogs in 2018. Trim off the top inch or so of the stems to encourage bushy growth.

If you see mojito mint or Scotch spearmint seeds (or peppermint seeds, for that matter), be wary. To change up my morning yogurt, Ill toss in fresh chopped leaves with some berries and granola.

You dont need to leave much of a margin around the plant, but try to get up a good chunk. Some studies show the essential oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Heres what to watch for: Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) Its slightly less sweet than traditional spearmint, and its resistant to mint rust and powdery mildew. mint spearmint seeds plants burpee gardens peppermint mints herbs leaves burpee boroughs gardening nyc

An annual dressing with well-rotted manure will give this plant everything it needs to thrive, unless your soil has a serious deficiency of nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus.

Admittedly, mint is easy to grow, but you can occasionally run into trouble. Leaves can be hung in batches and dried, or you can place sprigs or leaves on a screen in a cool, protected area and allow them to dry that way. A product made of potassium bicarbonate such as MilStop, available at Arbico Organics, is also effective. The common name spearmint references its pointed, spear-like leaves.

Like its mint siblings, spearmint is an aggressive grower that will pop up anywhere and everywhere if you let it so long as you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11 and have moist soil. For more tips to grow your own herbs, check out the following guides next: Photos by Kendall Vanderslice and Meghan Yager Ask the Experts, LLC.

cooksgarden herbs Gardeners Path and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. That said, you will want to harvest early in the day after the dew has dried for the most potency. You can cover seeds with a plastic bag or glass cloche to help keep the soil moist if you live in a dry area. If you grow it near other mints, spearmint can hybridize. Dig up a clump of mint with a spade. You can also introduce beneficial nematodes into your garden.

A severe infestation can stunt plant growth or even kill plants. This should be re-applied once a week for three weeks. In the late spring, take a four-inch cutting off the top of a mature plant just below a set of leaf nodes. Agitate the mixture every day.

In fact, if you grow spearmint near another type of mint, you might end up with a unique hybrid of your own if you save the seeds for planting. Aphids hang out on the undersides of leaves, where they pierce the foliage with their mouth parts and suck out the sap from the plant. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth six inches outside of the base of plants. If youve ever nibbled a peppermint leaf and a spearmint leaf side by side, you can really tell the difference. If you go the glass route, change the water every two days or so. Check out this article to learn more about dividing perennials. While it can tolerate low light or less than ideal soil, dry soil can kill it. burpee mint Seeds should be planted about 1/4 inch deep in prepared soil or a seed starting mix. Mint is resilient and you only need a small section of the root with one or two stems attached for it to survive.

Leave about an inch of stems above the soil. After about two weeks, you should see seedlings emerge. If that fails, use an application of neem oil following the manufacturers directions. If you want to save the seeds, leave at least 300 feet between different types. burpee You should also amend the pH if your soil is too alkaline or acidic. Keep in mind that it is possible for spearmint to cross pollinate with other types of mint.

Always water at the base of plants in the morning so the leaves can dry out during the day.

Spearmint works in a variety of dishes ranging from sweet to savory. It has an especially sweet aroma. How to Plant and Grow Ground Cherry, A Tasty Tropical Berry, How to Plant and Grow Ground Cherry, A Tasty Tropical Berry, .slick-slider#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83657.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83657.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83657 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } If you want, you can bury the entire container in the soil to inhibit its spread. Kristine Lofgren is a writer, photographer, reader, and gardening lover from outside Portland, Oregon. As with most other plants in the garden, mint is susceptible to attack by aphids. It has larger leaves, as well.