Take care
Toxic to dogs, cats and horses: the essential oils can cause vomiting and diarrhea if a large amount is eaten. Safe for people as a culinary herb.
Mint
Mentha spicata
Plant out around your last spring frost. Space plants 18 in (46 cm) apart.
Photo: Commonists, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
When to plant
Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.
Optimal Transplant (Spring)
From a plantRecommended from a plant- Plant outaround your last spring frost
- First harvestspring, summer, fall (continuous), once established
Optimal Transplant (Fall)
From a plant- Plant out5 weeks before your first fall frost
- First harvestspring, summer, fall (continuous), once established
Optimal Indoor Start
From seedRecommended from seed- Start indoors8 weeks before your last spring frost
- Begin hardening off1 week before your last spring frost
- Plant outaround your last spring frost
- First harvestspring, summer, fall (continuous), once established
Optimal Direct Sow (Spring)
From seed- Sow outdoors1 week after your last spring frost
- First harvestspring, summer, fall (continuous), once established
Growing mint
- Spacing in the row
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Between rows
- 24 in (61 cm)
- Planting depth
- 1/8-1/4 inch
- Sun
- Partial Shade
- Soil
- Prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil.
- Germination
- 10-15 days at 65-75°F
- Harvest season
- Spring, Summer, Fall (continuous)
- Mature height
- 18-36 inches
- Hardy to
- USDA zone 3
- Life cycle
- Perennial
Sow shallowly, requires light for germination.
Watering. Keep consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.
Feeding
- Seedlings
- Light liquid feed once true leaves appear.
- Growing
- Balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during active growth.
- Flowering and fruiting
- Same as growth, supports continuous leaf production.
- How often
- Every 4 weeks during the growing season.
- Note
- Mint is not a heavy feeder; over-fertilization can reduce flavor.
Your mint, planned to the day.
Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.