10 Reasons to Grow Mint (Without Fear)

The truth of the matter is that mint is a plant, and while it can and will most definitely spread, it takes some time for this to happen. I would steer clear of planting mint in or anywhere near your regular garden beds as it will eventually try and take over, but it’s a great plant for a rocky herb garden, a neglected corner of your yard, or a high traffic area. This is mint that is just starting to spread after one year in the ground.

Mint will spread from its underground roots, and can cover great distances and under obstacles to get to where it wants to go, so keep that in mind when planting. But, although it may sometimes seem like it, this won’t happen overnight. Just keep a close eye on it and harvest any new plants that you don’t want.

Probably the best way to grow mint is in a container. This will ensure that it will stay where you want it, without any worry of garden takeover.

Since the rhizomes that cause the mint to spread don’t go very deep, it’s also possible to plant mint in a raised bed without worrying too much about it jumping ship. It will try and take over the raised bed, however, so make sure to plant other things that can keep up with it. Other hardy perennial herbs like rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme can usually tolerate the aggressive nature of mint, especially if they are already established.

The best part about growing a plant that is as aggressive as mint is that you can be just as aggressive back at it without worry of harming it. You can cut handfuls of mint at a time without any damage done. See a mint plant that is growing where you don’t want it? Chop it down and turn it into something delicious, or cut large bundles of mint and hang to dry for use in the winter months.

If there is a shady area of your yard that you have trouble growing things in, try planting mint. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate some shade, and it will probably keep it from spreading as quickly. Regardless, I would still take the necessary precautions so that you don’t get a complete mint takeover (unless that’s what you want, of course).

Mint is super easy to propagate from cuttings and will readily re-root itself. You can cut out mint where you don’t want it, put it in water until it grows some roots, then transplant it where you do want it. In fact, you don’t even have to put it in water first as it will root right in soil. Do it as a science experiment with your kids, or root a bunch of cuttings, pot them up, and give away to friends. Mint is the gift that keeps on giving (and giving).

Let your mint go and do it’s thing, then come and take from it as much as you want, and it will still thrive. Don’t worry about watering or fertilizing it. Really, it will grow without any inputs. Unless you’re trying to naturally thin it out, it may like a little water from time to time, but it will honestly be ok if you literally leave it alone for months on end. It’s a great plant for lazy gardeners.

Let your mint go to flower and it will attract bees, beneficial wasps, hoverflies (aphid eaters), and tachinid flies (parasitic on nasty bugs). The smell of the mint plant will also repel houseflies, cabbage moths, ants, aphids, squash bugs, fleas, mosquitoes, and even mice. Not a bad deal, if you ask me!

Chickens love fresh herbs and mint is no exception. The best part is that it’s also great for them and their coop. It keeps bugs, flies, and parasites at bay, as well as being an antioxidant and digestive aid for your flock. Be sure to plant lots of mint (as well as other herbs) in and around the coop and run for chickens to munch on daily.

Mint is also great for cats and dogs. Catnip is actually in the mint family, and is a favorite herb for kitties as well as humans. While cats and dogs probably shouldn’t eat a whole lot of mint in one sitting, a little bit is great for them. It is a natural flea repellent, and I often see Cosmo the kitty rubbing up against the mint plant.

Of course, mint is an awesome culinary herb! Cut it from the garden without abandon to make all kinds of delicious treats. I particularly like to make an iced green tea with it.

Turn it into mint pesto or add it to your favorite homemade cookies, brownies, or other desserts. Chop it up and add it to salads or use it as a garnish. Have a mint julep or mojito party!

Here are some other unique ideas for ways to use mint in the kitchen:

Mint is also an amazing medicinal herb. It is well known as a digestive aid and breath freshener, and is also good for an upset stomach. Peppermint is especially great for headaches, and the essential oil can be rubbed on the temples for relief. It can be helpful for seasonal allergies, and can also be added to body care products like salves and lip balms, soaps, and lotions.

Still too scared to grow mint but want to enjoy all of its benefits? Order high quality, organic dried peppermint or spearmint from Mountain Rose Herbs (my favorite place for dried herbs).

I hope this post has inspired you to grow some mint! It really is a versatile plant that we should not fear having in our yards. Here are some other great posts on how to use up lots of mint:

What do you like to do with mint?

","discussion":{"numPages":1,"confidence":0.42,"diffbotUri":"discussion|3|-205856383","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","numPosts":9,"type":"discussion","title":"10 Reasons to Grow Mint (Without Fear)","posts":[{"date":"Sun, 29 May 2016 12:22:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Sheri says","diffbotUri":"post|3|-324226859","html":"

I have several mints but keep them contained to pots with deep water trays in full sun. They do very well.

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":0,"text":"I have several mints but keep them contained to pots with deep water trays in full sun. They do very well.","type":"post"},{"date":"Fri, 26 Aug 2016 13:12:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Karlleen says","diffbotUri":"post|3|-1108767798","html":"

I’m having a real issue keeping my chocolate mint alive any tips would be great it’s in a pot with plant soil that feeds for 6 months i just started to put it more in the sun to see if that would help. Not sure what else to do. I water when dry.

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":1,"text":"I’m having a real issue keeping my chocolate mint alive any tips would be great it’s in a pot with plant soil that feeds for 6 months i just started to put it more in the sun to see if that would help. Not sure what else to do. I water when dry.","type":"post","parentId":0},{"date":"Wed, 22 Jun 2016 09:15:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Michelle says","diffbotUri":"post|3|109520850","html":"

In the suburbs, I grew mint in pots on the back deck. Now we have land and I waited a year to decide where to put the mint, knowing it would be aggressive. The perfect spot? Partial sun tucked away in a corner of the neglected front flower bed beside the front porch. It’s chocolate mint and it is delicious! I get bored with mint tea (although it’s great for tummy aches) so thank you for the recipe inspiration. I think I will make a mint-infused oil and use that in my next batch of lotion. Yay for mint!

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":2,"text":"In the suburbs, I grew mint in pots on the back deck. Now we have land and I waited a year to decide where to put the mint, knowing it would be aggressive. The perfect spot? Partial sun tucked away in a corner of the neglected front flower bed beside the front porch. It’s chocolate mint and it is delicious! I get bored with mint tea (although it’s great for tummy aches) so thank you for the recipe inspiration. I think I will make a mint-infused oil and use that in my next batch of lotion. Yay for mint!","type":"post"},{"date":"Sat, 09 Jul 2016 23:33:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Jayme | holly & flora says","diffbotUri":"post|3|817545847","html":"

I’ve been meaning to tell you, Colleen, thank you for the share! I’ll have to post a photo of our mint patch now. It is over in a neglected corner of the yard, behind the wood pile, where no sprinklers spray. It loves the neglect, lol. I am definitely trying Beth’s mint pesto. That’s one mint recipe I haven’t tried! XO!

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":3,"text":"I’ve been meaning to tell you, Colleen, thank you for the share! I’ll have to post a photo of our mint patch now. It is over in a neglected corner of the yard, behind the wood pile, where no sprinklers spray. It loves the neglect, lol. I am definitely trying Beth’s mint pesto. That’s one mint recipe I haven’t tried! XO!","type":"post"},{"date":"Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:42:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Pablo Pantoja says","diffbotUri":"post|3|81835613","html":"

i hate that everyone tells me how easy it is to grow mint. i’ve more than a few plants and placed them on my porch; some with full sun, withered; some with shade, withered; some with watering, withered; some with way less watering, withered. i currently bought a beautiful large mint plant to give me a headstart and i think the heat is beating it up so i put it in the shade and water 1 day yes and 1 day no. help

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":4,"text":"i hate that everyone tells me how easy it is to grow mint. i’ve more than a few plants and placed them on my porch; some with full sun, withered; some with shade, withered; some with watering, withered; some with way less watering, withered. i currently bought a beautiful large mint plant to give me a headstart and i think the heat is beating it up so i put it in the shade and water 1 day yes and 1 day no. help","type":"post"},{"date":"Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:43:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Margaret Duffy","authorUrl":"http://growforsgecookferment.com","diffbotUri":"post|3|-389163900","html":"

Where can I purchase a mint plant?

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":5,"text":"Where can I purchase a mint plant?","type":"post","parentId":4},{"date":"Tue, 16 Aug 2016 07:04:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Misty Martin says","diffbotUri":"post|3|675822080","html":"

They have them at Lowes and Home Depot, just find a local nursery.

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":6,"text":"They have them at Lowes and Home Depot, just find a local nursery.","type":"post","parentId":5},{"date":"Sat, 06 Aug 2016 04:57:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Nick Massl says","diffbotUri":"post|3|-1888970771","html":"

What about Corsican mint? We have peppermint growing wild in and around our creek bed (Southern tier on NY) and I’m wondering how the corsican mint would do in this area.

","pageUrl":"http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/","id":7,"text":"What about Corsican mint? We have peppermint growing wild in and around our creek bed (Southern tier on NY) and I’m wondering how the corsican mint would do in this area.","type":"post"},{"date":"Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:58:00 GMT","humanLanguage":"en","author":"Richard Buse says","diffbotUri":"post|3|-1714535355","html":"

Thanks for sharing this. The primary reason I grow peppermint is that it’s been very effective as a mouse repellant. There is a farm field behind our backyard fence and every time that field got worked over, we’d have mice in the house. I started growing peppermint in 2013. I sbnip off the leaves and put them in small mesh sachets. Those sachets have gone in the pantry, closets, attic, garage, etc. No more mice in the house!

Original article and pictures take http://www.growforagecookferment.com/reasons-to-grow-mint/ site