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Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
	S		P	P

(Best months for planting Mint in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Although mint can be grown from seeds, cuttings are a faster, more reliable option.
Cuttings can be planted directly when danger of frost is past. Mint can be grown in pots outdoors or indoors

Mint prefers damp, partly shaded areas and once established will grow for many years. Mint dies down in Winter and sends up new shoots in Spring.

Mint is a rampant grower and will take over a garden bed if not restrained.

One way to contain mint is to use an old bottomless bucket pushed into the ground. The mint won't be able to put its roots out sideways, so will take longer to spread. If grown in a pot, mint needs to be watered regularly to keep it healthy.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Mint

Mint adds a fresh flavour if chopped and sprinkled over salads. And is traditionally used mixed with vinegar and sugar to make mint sauce for lamb.

Your comments and tips

16 May 13, John (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Mint. Note the comment under growing notes. Mint WILL attempt to take over your garden! Which can be an advantage : ) or disadvantage : (

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04 Mar 13, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)

you could try a garlic oil recipe for a bottle sprayer. I have tried making it before and always works well, although I usually make two mistakes. First, I never make enough, second I always forget to strain it properly and my sprayer gets clogged up.

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26 Jan 13, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Something is eating my mint at night time , I put snail and slug pellets down but whatever is eating it the pellets arnt working, the bugs have nearly stripped all the leaves bare just leaving the storks.

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16 Jan 13, Justine (Australia - temperate climate)

A few weeks after planting my mint I have noticed that something has been eating the leaves. A lot of the leaves have sharp cuts into the leaves. I'm thinking a bird might be eating them? We have lots of rosellas and we have pigeons in the area.

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29 Nov 12, Kathy Mottley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi. I have small black bugs on my mint plant which are eating the leaves and also seem to be leaving a brown mark on the leaves. How can I get rid of them?

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28 Dec 12, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Kathy, sounds like these could be aphids or mites (if so, they are sap suckers). First plan of attack I use is to hose them off with a strong jet of water. If they return, then the next day I do the same. If they return a third time, I use Eco-Oil to suffocate them. It's a certified organic oil based solution that you spray onto the leaves. The company I get it from is www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au and it's a great emergency product for organic gardeners for those stubborn problems. Other than that, I also address the health of the plant and soil. Pests generally only attack plants that are unhealthy so I add rock minerals, give the plant a fish/seaweed 'tonic' to boost them with trace elements, check soil moisture is adequate and mulch well. Hope this helps!

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22 Oct 12, Richard (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I am told that if a mint plant flowers, the taste becomes bitter. I have noticed that the flavour weakens. Question is - will the same mint plant recover in time to give a sweeter and full flavour? Can I do anything to to recover a flowered mint plant?

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15 Aug 12, Phil Green (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi all, My recently planted mint has leaves that look like they have been burnt. Any ideas what might have caused it? Cheers Phil

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21 Aug 12, Stevee (Australia - temperate climate)

Have you had frost lately Phil? Frost can make the leaves (particularly new ones) go black.

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28 Jan 12, z. watts (Australia - arid climate)

I spray with pyrethrum once a week. It's from a plant and non toxic to mammals.

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