varieties of mint being grown together - are there any mint experts here?

[Crystalmoon]

Hi everyone I really fancy having a raised bed with many varieties of mint in it, I hope to make fresh mint teas etc on a regular basis so want the plants to grow to a good size.......I have read that mint can go abit mad & be invasive so I thought a raised bed would contain it so it doesnt try to take over my allotment ;) but I was wondering if anyone knows if I any individual mint variety is likely to dominate the bed? Should each plant be contained in some way? Or will the mint family grow happily alongside one another?
Thanks 

[Crystalmoon]

[grannyjanny]

I would think they would need putting in a pot to contain the roots before planting in your raised beds & even then I think some roots would escape.

[saddad]

The common "spearmints" are most aggressive but I would contain each in a bottomless bucket as most of the roots spread laterally...

[Ninnyscrops.]

I grow mine in an old water tank Crystalmoon, there is common mint and eau de cologne mint in there. It only has a tiny hole for drainage to one side so if I see a root straying it's stopped in it's tracks  ;)


Ninny

[Crystalmoon]

Thanks saddad & grannyjanny for replying so quickly. I thought that may be the case, not sure if I want to destroy 6 to 8 buckets,lol, maybe it will be best if I plant each variety in its own individual pot?

[goodlife]

They won't mind growing together..but...do not under estimate the warnings about mint making a runner..
You are much better off by planting into large pots ..and maybe sinking these half way into ground..as mint is much better and lushest when re-potted..ideally every year or atleast every other...by doing in sunken pots you can keep check on them and they won't cause you any maintenance head ache.. ;)
You could make nice feature out of selected mints..neatly each variety in its own pot with nice large label to show what each one is... ;)
If you can get hold of flower buckets..those would be ideal size..just make holes on bottom or cut it all off...then the roots will be able to draw some moisture from the soil  beneath..

[gp.girl]

Some are definately stronger than others. Overbred fancy scented/variagated ones tend to be slower growing. My poor ginger mint almost died over the winter but the morraccan mint (lovely cooking variety) was fine giving me 10 extra plants + some to put back in the hanging basket. Having said that the Eau de Cologue mint tried rooting in the container below as it trails!

Most people grow it in containers but there's some growing on an allotment near me. It is spreading but not that fast and because it's shallow rooted digging it out shouldn't be that difficult.....hopefully. As long as you keep it out of other plants all should be well.

Home grown mint tea  :P

Not an expert but some sucesses  ;)

[jennym]

Not a mint expert, but I grow apple mint, ginger mint and eau de cologne mint at the end of one of my beds. I find that the apple mint tends to dominate, it gets quite tall. However, I still get enough of all for my needs, and use a fair bit. The soil is improved heavy clay, and although the mint does spread easily, I find it ok to dig out some roots in winter, this seems to keep it under control. You might find that hard in a raised bed, How about having a go at growing them in one of those rectangular plastic storage boxes, that might work (with some drainage holes made near the base with a hot skewer)

[gp.girl]

jennym

Is your ginger mint slightly variegated? Mines got yellow patches. It doesn't like the winter weather at all, I almost lost it last winter as well :(

I've got an offer of chocolate mint in exchange for some of the ginger if enough survives and a place in a polytunnel to help things along :)

[jennym]

Yes, the ginger mint is variegated, lightish green with yellow, as you say. I havent found it to be particularly weak compared to others, all my mint dies right down in winter until all there is left is bare soil, it's only just started reappearing again now - everything is late here this year. Thinking about it, the ginger mint tends to migrate towards more well drained soil, maybe that's something to consider.

[Digeroo]

I am fascinated I had no idea there were so many different types.

[suncekoret]

I am fascinated I had no idea there were so many different types.

One herb nursery not far from me has around 60 varieties!

[antipodes]

After 2 years of not being able to grow the stuff, it is now going mad all around the water barrels!I have 3 varieties but not sure what they are, one is a spearmint I think. They don't seem to mind growing together. I don't have them in pots, but you can just rip them out of areas where they are spreading to, the roots come up easily. They do have a mind of their own however and can pop up a metre from the original spot...

[smudger28]

jennym

Is your ginger mint slightly variegated? Mines got yellow patches. It doesn't like the winter weather at all, I almost lost it last winter as well :(

I've got an offer of chocolate mint in exchange for some of the ginger if enough survives and a place in a polytunnel to help things along :)

I have just ordered some chocolate mint :-)  Does it really taste like after 8 mints LOL

[goodlife]

Code Select Expand

Does it really taste like after 8 mints

Sadly..no...I think when you try it..you really have to use your imagination to work out the chocolate flavour in them... ::)
..but they look nice...colour is different from other mints..dark and brownish green... ::)..hint...maybe the chocolate bit is in colour... ::)

[smudger28]

Hahaha that'll please the missus....  She thought she could eat healthy chocolate

[Alimo]

The best mint, I think, is Apple mint.

Wonderful for cooking and using in salads / teas too.

Alison

[cambourne7]

How do u make mint tea and how else can u use mint ?? I am being temped ;)

[manicscousers]

all my mints are in individual flower buckets, I have chocolate and pineapple mint, I agree about the flavours, the chocolate is slightly chocolately, and the pineapple tastes citrusy, you just need a good imagination  ;D

[antipodes]

How do u make mint tea and how else can u use mint ?? I am being temped ;)

Real Tunisian mint tea is often made in France. For a medium teapot (about 4 cups) use either a tea ball half filled with GREEN tea (not black tea) or a generous teaspoon of it. Plus a handful of mint leaves, crushed a bit to let out their perfume.
FIll with boiling water and then add a fair bit of sugar (I use 4 lumps but you can use more if you like it sweet). Leave it to infuse for about 5 minutes.

You can cook with  mint in lots of ways - small courgette flans baked in the bain marie, are really nice with chopped  mint added (add before cooking I mean), and there is also Tabouleh, which I make with various combinations of couscous, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, mint, parsley and raisins, dressed with cumin-lemon-olive oil dressing. It is also quite nice chopped up and made into mint butter for new potatoes  ;)