When is the best time to plant mint?

Mint is a very special plant. It has a very fresh taste and many functions and effects. Some varieties of mint can not only be soaked in water to drink, but can also become one of the raw materials for many daily necessities. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant mint?

When is the best time to plant mint?

Spring is the peak growth period for mint, and suitable temperatures are conducive to the rooting and germination of seeds. After sowing in spring, mint can grow throughout the summer and into fall.

Mint planting methods and steps

1. Cutting propagation

The cutting method is simple and efficient, including soil cutting and water cutting.

(1) Soil insertion method

It is necessary to prepare a new disease-free nursery bed, apply sufficient basal fertilizer, and keep the soil moist. Select healthy branches, cut them into 10 cm sections, remove the lower leaves, and make oblique cuts to increase the soil contact area and promote rooting. Cover with film after cuttings, remove the film after a few days, water moderately, and transplant after about 20 days to a month when the root system is well developed.

(2) Water insertion method

Suitable for small-scale planting, place the branches in a container of clean water to avoid the leaves being soaked in water. After a few days, roots will take root. Change the water in time and transplant when the roots are about 10 cm long.

2. Division propagation

There are two ways: one is to thin out the seedlings and divide them after sowing, and the other is to use runners to cultivate new plants.

(1) Thinning and division

Sow in April and carry out germination treatment to increase the germination rate. After sowing the seeds, cover with a thin layer of soil and keep it moist. Thin out the seedlings in time after they emerge, remove the sick and weak seedlings, leave the strong seedlings, and transplant them after maintaining appropriate plant spacing.

(—2) Runner ramets

Taking advantage of the characteristic of mint runners taking roots when they touch the ground, fix the runners to allow them to take roots, and then transplant them after forming new plants.

3. Rhizome propagation

After the winter harvest, the rhizomes remain in the soil to overwinter. When transplanting in spring, dig out healthy rhizomes and divide them for planting.

4. Field management

(1) Watering

Mint likes water. Water it appropriately when the seedlings emerge. Keep the soil moist during the growth period and avoid waterlogging.

(2) Topdressing

When the base fertilizer is sufficient, nitrogen fertilizer is used mainly in the early stage of growth, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are added in the middle and late stages, and top dressing is applied after each harvest.

(3) Topping

By removing the tips, we can promote the growth of side branches, control the height of the plant and prevent lodging.

5. Pest and disease control

Pay attention to reducing humidity to prevent diseases, deal with diseased plants in a timely manner, and adopt agricultural measures and appropriate pesticides to control pests.

6. Harvest

Mint is mainly harvested for its leaves, which can be harvested when the plant is growing lushly. Apply fertilizer in time after harvesting to promote the recovery of plant growth. Harvesting should be done in sunny and warm weather to avoid rainy weather that may cause diseases.

In short, mint is best planted in spring and has a higher survival rate. During the planting process of mint, you can pay more attention to the above steps according to the actual situation.