Peppermint Seeds
Peppermint is a perennial herb that produces hardy 18-24 inch tall plants with serrated dark green leaves. Peppermint is a hardy plant that spreads aggressively, so container gardening is a great choice. Fresh or dried leaves are used in teas and iced drinks and also to add a minty flavour to food.
– Latin name: Mentha piperita
– Life Cycle: Perennial
– Days to Maturity: 90
– Canada Hardiness Zone: 4-9
– Planting Depth: 2-3 mm
– Plant Spacing: 45-60 cm
– Growth Habit: 30-60 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Mint is an aggressive grower with a powerful menthol fragrance. It makes a wonderful cup of herbal tea and will add refreshing color and flavour to cold summer drinks and salads.
Mint seeds should be started indoors 4 weeks before the last frost date, or you can sow seeds outside in mid spring. Cover seeds very lightly with soil and water well. Transplant seedlings outdoors a couple weeks after the last spring frost. Space plants a good 60 cm apart, as they will grow quickly and soon fill in the open space.
Mint can be planted into the garden inside bottomless pots to prevent the roots from running rampant through other areas of the garden. Mint does grow well with many vegetables if it is confined to its own space. Its strong fragrance will deter pests and the flowers will draw in an abundance of beneficial pollinators.
Mint thrives in moist conditions, but if soil is kept on the dryer side, it won’t spread so vigorously. Mint should be well pruned to keep it in check. Cut back woody stems to promote lush, new growth.
Harvest leaves as needed throughout the year. Cutting the entire plant back to 6 cm above the ground halfway through the season will rejuvenate the plant and allow for a second harvest. To prepare for winter, cut the mint to the ground in the late fall and cover with mulch to insulate it from freezing temperatures.
QUICK FACTS
– Ancient Egyptian medical text dating as early as 1550 BC includes mint.
– Peppermint seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
