After having mint take over a garden, I said, never again. So when I re-landscaped, I left the mint plants in their pots this past spring. I'm getting plenty of spearmint for juleps and peppermint for tea without having to fight them. But I read that they should be re-potted periodically. So how often? Into a bigger pot? Thinned in half and then in the same pots? Re-potted in good potting soil? Thanks.
mint in pots in the garden- when do you thin and how
I'd look for roots trying to come out the bottom of the pots or other signs that the pot is crammed with roots... even just tip the plant out of the pot... if the roots and potting mix are in one big solid lump, it's definitely time to repot. I would divide the plant and repot about half to 3/4 of it, as you suggested. That should leave plenty of room for some fresh potting mix, and a dash of time-release fertilizer would probably be well received also. I'm waiting for my new mints to fill their 12 inch pots, and then I'll take a big clump or two from each pot and transplant it into our little home orchard, where it can spread all it likes!
I am just recently experimenting with Chocolate mint and we are really enjoying it. I havent had it very long at all and already it's starting to grow up and out like crazy. DS likes to pull off a leaf here and there and chew on it. I put it in with tea. Smells and tastes wonderful!
Critterologist, the pots are sunk into the soil. Do you mean I should pull the pots out to see if the rrots are sticking out?
Katym, I planted chocolate mint too, hope to find some good recipes for it (like put it into fudge brownies or something). What else do you do with yours?
Mints I planted: peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, Kentucky Colonel mint
What I've made with mint so far: iced tea, mint juleps (these are great!)
BBinnj - Actually this is the first mint I have ever grown. Have only used it in tea so far. Fudge brownies sound like a good idea, though. I may try that out soon. I would love some recipes for it as well. It seems that I will be overtaken by mine before long. Mine is potted for the same reason you mentioned. I read up on it before planting and everything said it could be invasive so I thought I could at least try it in a pot and see how it works out. We got a good rain the last couple of days and the Chocolate mint has really enjoyed it. I just went out for a stroll around the yard and it is looking really healthy this morning.
Katy
OK, didn't realize your pots were sunken, figured checking the bottom was the easy way to see if it seemed rootbound! Poke into the pot, try to lift the rootball out of the pot, whatever... if the pot seems like it is crammed with roots, then it is probably time to divide the mint. On the other hand, my neighbor has had some spearmint in the same pot on her front porch for 3 years now, and it's doing just fine... but I think some mints do better when they are less crowded.