Growing mint

PeteW

Hi, I've heard mint can go a bit nuts and take over your garden so you're best off planting it in a container to keep it under control.

I've not really got that option and so was going to just plant it in one of my beds. I've heard that if you go this you should put the mint in a pot or a bucket or something in the soil, but I can't remember which...

Do you put it in a bucket so the roots don't escape and grow more plants, or put it in a sealed bucket, but then that has drainage issues…?

Thanks

Pete

stilernin

You will need drainage holes in the bottom. The roots will not go that deep, it is the side of the bucket that stops it travelling sideways.

Keep the edge of the bucket an inch or so higher than soil level and take care that none of the taller/longer stems flop over and touch the ground or it will root and the beast will have escaped!

mrbadexample

If you have a pot / bucket to put into the soil, then you have a container.

savemoney

I grow mine in a large out but you can also bury the pot in soil to hide it

dizziblonde

You can basically sink the bucket of mint into the bed so it looks like it`s growing freely - but because it`s confined it can`t go all planty ASBO and take the place over.

Mine is in a bright pink zinc bucket and just looks cool on my patio.

budgetdiyer

To be honest i've never found mint to grow too out of hand, but then i've always kept and eye on it and kept it in check. Granted it has grown under my fence to my neighbours side (who does next to no gardening) but even then its not spread much.

VfM4meplse

Let it go nuts! I look forward making to Indian mint chutney in the summer, never lasts too long with my family and the plentiful supply is welcome!

Barneysmom

Dig a little bit lower and put some broken stones or crockery under the pot to raise it a bit to let it drain.

oligeo

I've just taken on an alotment that has mint growing wild, its everywhere. Do not put it in the ground!

wallbash

You can basically sink the bucket of mint into the bed so it looks like it`s growing freely - but because it`s confined it can`t go all planty ASBO and take the place over.

Do you put it in a bucket so the roots don't escape and grow more plants, or put it in a sealed bucket,

All good advice . The only thing I would add, I tried a couple of years ago to grow some , in a pot , in an ornamental chimney . Looked great. but was killed when the pot 'froze' in the bad winter last year.
Mint survived , worst winter , this year, because it was in the ground.

VfM4meplse

oligeo wrote: »

I've just taken on an alotment that has mint growing wild, its everywhere. Do not put it in the ground!

I just wish my garden was fertile but unfortunately it was built on concrete so I maintain a neat lawn, but that's about it! I'd love to grow spinach, garlic, strawberries etc but nothing thrives in my back garden. I amuse myself with beds and baskets at the front, but envy my parents their fantastic garden from which I get my plentiful supply of mint :D:D.