Hi!
My mints are putting out runners. What do I do with them? Do I leave them alone? Will they grow like mint plants?
thank you
anna
question about mint
Runners are the reason to grow mints in pots if you do not want them to spread. :-) New mint plants will arise along the runners if you leave them alone. Mints can also be propagated from pieces of runners, especially if the piece already has roots starting.
Runners are the reason mints need obedience training. Think of them as the border collies of the plant world. They are highly energetic and like to explore the grounds.
You can have a well-behaved mint patch, without constraining them to a pot, IF you cut back the runners when you harvest. Some folks just snip the mint off at ground level when they harvest them. This allows the roots to spread. We pull the mint (including lemon balm) stems up and pull the root up and back and cut the root just inside the garden boundary. You'll need to do this regulary, like working the dog through his obedience manoeuvers. Otherwise they can get away from you.
Garden_mermaid ~ Great analogy!
Spider, they will grow like RABID mint plants. The best way to keep them from taking over is, as the others said, to grow them in pots.
Garden_mermaid, that was awesome.
LOL!!!
thank you peeps!
I salvaged some huge concrete blocks from an empty lot waiting to be paved over for Mall parking lot that I will bury halfway and then plant my mints in the holes. They have taken over the yard! Although they do make mowing the "lawn" a more pleasant task since they are the lawn these days.
If I could get mint to kill the St. Augustine grass in my yard, I'd do it. Sun's too brutal down here, though. I did grow moss roses in cinder blocks one year, and they did great. Had them lining a raised bed.
Edited for grammar atrocity.
This message was edited Aug 16, 2006 9:42 AM
brigidlilly, you're not cooking with enough mint or not drinking enough mint tea! LOL
I never have enough mint, no matter how much I grow.
Have you tried zucchini sauteed in olive oil with yellow onions, lemon zest and mint? Add a little salt and fresh ground black pepper. I use lemon verbena leaves when real lemons are unavailable.
How about cucumbers in yoghurt dressing with mint and dill?
Mint lassi's make a refreshing summer pick me up (fresh whole milk yoghut in the blender with fresh mint, toasted fennel seeds, spoonful of rosewater or rose petals, rapadura (raw granulated cane juice) to taste and a little spring water to thin to desired consistency. mmmm- mmmm! You can toss a few ice cubes in if you are so inclined.
garden_mermaid, why don't you just move to Texas? There's a house for sale right down the street from me...
Careful what you wish for brigidlily.......I just might use up all the mint in your yard.
I forgot to tell you about the mint chutney, the mint face mask, the mint hair rinse, the mint body scub....etc, etc, etc!
:-)
And plain old mint teas, hot or iced!
Or mint just in a vase instead of flowers... been doing that and I can use a sprig or 2 when the mood strikes me- juleps, mojitos, tea, tabbouleh, brownies, man am I getting hungry!!
Don't fprget the mint foot soaks and hair rinses.
Hey Spider, you can send all your unruly mint runners over here :) I had a beautiful apple mint before I left for a year, but DH ahem, let it die. I've not started any new ones since I came back a few weeks ago.
Dee, I thought you said "mint foot socks" when I first read that...LOL!
Happy weekend everyone :D
-Sunny
Hineni, I can send you some cuttings if you like.
Spider, that would be awesome, thank you! I'll get an SASBE out to you on Monday if you'd like, or just mail you the postage for a priority box so they have enough room. Are you listed in the exchange? If not, please Dmail me and I'll get that out right away.
I can't wait until I have more to share to give back to others here. Sorry I'm so pokey with growing stuff, but look out next year!!!
Regards,
-Sunny
Hi Sunny,
I can send you a priority box.
I have a paypal account if it is easier for you. I am in the exchange.
where are you in Atlanta? We could maybe meet. i am a bit worried aobut the mints staying in the box in this weather.
best wishes
Anna
Hi Anna,
I"m sending you a D-mail. We're going to be up north tomorrow...errr later today :)
~Sunny