The rapid growth of mint cannot be curbed by the harvest alone. Only repeated pruning prevents the mint from going wild. We explain the best cut, peppered with useful tips.

Professional pruning requires courageous action

Mint is rightly considered one of the invasive plants. The striking speed of growth inevitably results in the herb plants going wild if you don't cut them back regularly. How to do it right:

  • cut back the shoots shortly before the first flowering in June/July
  • as long as at least one pair of leaves remains on the mint, it will sprout again
  • a second, weaker flowering follows in August/September
  • before the flowers open, cut back all branches close to the ground

If you are striving to harvest the seeds for your own sowing, the mint may wither completely. In this case, wait for the ripening of the small fruits in which the seeds are located before pruning. This process is at the expense of the aroma; in return you will receive an abundance of seeds for the next season.

Clippings are far too valuable to throw away

Choose a date for pruning mint shortly before flowering, and you will have a particularly aromatic yield in your hands with the cuttings. The leaves are now full of essential oils and therefore far too good to end up on the compost. Instead, we recommend preservation using one of the following methods:

  • Freeze sprigs of mint or individual leaves
  • Cut the leaves into small pieces, fill into ice cube trays, pour in water and freeze
  • tie the most beautiful shoots into bouquets and dry them upside down

If you like sweets, candied the freshly harvested mint in sugar syrup. In this way it can be kept for at least 2 weeks to serve as a tempting decoration on cakes, in sundaes or similar delicacies.

tips and tricks

Mint grows just as vigorously underground as it does above ground. So that the roots don't subdue the whole garden, experienced hobby gardeners stab them repeatedly with a spade. You can save yourself this sweaty work by planting mint outdoors with a root barrier.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden