How To Grow Mint In Your Garden Or Balcony This Winter?

A very versatile herb that may be used for cooking, fragrance, and even medicine, mint is one of the simplest to produce and grow. It is a necessary component of many recipes and enhances the flavour of many foods, whether added to sweets, chopped into fresh summer salads, or just added to the pot with fresh potatoes. For upcoming summer events, it's ideal in a mojito and will give a refreshing touch to a summertime beverage. For winters, it is great for adding in soups too. 

Additionally, mint is regarded to have therapeutic qualities, and the peppermint kind, when boiled in hot water and consumed as tea, is generally believed to help with digestion.

When To Plant Mint?

Where you reside determines the ideal time of year to cultivate mint. You should plant in the spring if you reside in a cooler climate. Autumn is the best season if you reside in a warmer climate. Therefore, pick the appropriate choice, but provide afternoon shade for your plants if you live in a warmer climate. New seedlings must be protected during light frost, while established plants can survive the cold.

How Can Mint Be Grown?

Start with young mint plants, which require less maintenance than seeds to cut down on harvest time. Mint comes in a variety of family variations that readily cross-pollinate. Leave 18 to 24 inches between each plant when planting.

Mint has a reputation for travelling over the garden, spreading swiftly. Plant mint in a container that is further planted in a dirt bed, exposing three inches of the rim to prevent it from spreading. Create holes in the container so the drainage holes allow the roots to readily escape.

A Guide To Growing Mint On Your Balcony

The procedure is simple if you bought mint in a balcony container and need to relocate it outside. One of the greatest things about mint is that it's incredibly adaptable and can grow on various sites. It's not overly particular about soil or light exposure.

• Select a good spot in your garden.
• Dig a hole that is a little deeper and wider than the pot it was placed in.
• The plant should be planted.
• Ensure the soil level is equal to the soil in the ground before backfilling the hole.
• Give it a good rinse.

Mint Care: Step-By-Step Guide

When the topsoil appears dry, rinse the mint since they require moist soil. Pay attention to the roots because they require deep, infrequent watering. Give them special attention in the summer, examine the soil frequently, and take appropriate action. Water a mint plant considerably more frequently than a container if it produces a lot (fill a pot).

Sink a pencil or finger into the ground; if it goes readily, the soil is damp, or vice versa. To check the moisture, you can also buy a soil moisture metre and follow the instructions on the label.

Read More: Starting A Kitchen Garden? These Are The Easiest Plants To Grow

Use a preferred seed-starter to fertilise your plants every seven days after planting! Plant food in liquid form (for houseplants). These potent ingredients help balance the pH of your soil and keep weeds away from your crops. Steer clear of chemical fertilisers, as they can harm the environment and the health of the plants.

Mint requires a combination of actual plant fertiliser and highly rich soil for optimal quality production. After a month on the plantation, liquid plant food. The excellent combination encourages development and greening while nourishing your soil and plants. Follow the instructions on the label to determine how much mulch to apply. Create a schedule and feed them appropriately.

Mint plants that have died in filled pots must be divided entirely. Replant the clusters in fresh pots after dividing them into smaller pieces.

How Can Mint Be Harvested?

Regular mint harvesting promotes optimal plant growth. Select any single leaf at any time during the growing season. Make sure to collect a lot of your mint because the best flavour happens before blossoming. The plant will grow if you cut it back to the ground while leaving a few pairs of leaves.