# How to Grow & Cut Mint
The bright green and dense mint plant belongs to the hearty mentha family. Mint requires minimal care for healthy growth. According to a fact sheet published by the University of Illinois Extension, mint can quickly take over a bed, so the herb does best when planted alone. Refreshing mint is used in food dishes and cool summertime drinks. Growing a small pot of mint will provide you with a supply of leaves to harvest and use at your convenience.
Things You'll Need
- Composted manure
- 16-16-18 dry fertilizer
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose a flower bed location in the direct sun or partial sun.
-
2
Prepare the soil by adding 2 to 4 inches of composted manure per square foot of bedding soil. Add 1/2 tablespoon of 16-16-18 fertilizer per square foot and work the manure and fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil.
-
3
Plant one mint plant every 2 feet. Dig a shallow hole, deep enough to cover the root with a small shovel. Cover the base of the mint loosely with the shovel.
-
4
Dampen the soil lightly and water the bed once a week. Don't overwater mint as this can make the roots moldy.
-
5
Harvest mint every two to three weeks by clipping the branches down several inches using sharp garden scissors. Cut the the stems down to 1 inch above the soil at the end of the growing season.
-
1
Previous:
Growing Mint
