If the mint in the bucket provided an invigorating pleasure with its leaves for over 2 years, it deserves a fresh treatment. Repotting in new substrate is just what the herbal plant needs. We explain how to do it right.
Proper preparation is the be-all and end-all
After 2 years of tireless growth, mints have developed an imposing stature. A bucket is completely rooted and the substrate is exhausted. A larger planter is required, as is fresh potting soil. The best time for a complete makeover is fall or spring. Before you repot the plant, the following preparatory work is recommended:
- Cut back all shoots close to the ground
- pot the mint to shorten any rhizomes that are too long with a sharp knife
- In the new bucket, lay a drainage of chippings, pebbles or shards of clay above the water drain in the floor
When pruning the long roots, you can go to work boldly. As long as at least 2 buds remain on it, the mint will happily sprout again.
This is how you repot correctly
The new substrate should be rich in nutrients, humic and well drained. Herb soil enriched with sieved compost and horn shavings (€32.93) is best suited. Alternatively, mix 1 part garden soil with compost and add additives such as sand, perlite, (37.51€) coconut fibers or expanded clay.(19.73€) Proceed as follows:
- fill the bottom third of the new pot with substrate
- Make a well in it and insert the prepared mint
- fill up with fresh soil so that the mint is no lower than before
Press the soil down a little and water generously. In the first few weeks after repotting, the water requirement proves to be quite high. Ideally, you should carry out the thumb test every day in order to water immediately when the soil has dried.
tips and tricks
Mint in the bed should change location every 3 years. The best time is in autumn when the ground is still warm from the sun. Use a spade to cut off the long rhizomes within a radius of 30 centimeters and lift the plant out of the ground. There should not have been any other mint at the new planting site in recent years. Optimize the soil with compost and plant the mint just as deep as before.
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