Chief, one of the best gardening channels I’ve seen on RUclips and I’m fairly critical….would love to see some animal farming tips and tricks, aquaculture perhaps, pigs, rabbits, chickens et cetera…..Gods bless
Sometimes it spreading so quickly is a good thing. I use mint for termite and ant control (im in ouchita forest always wet wood out here). Anywho, I have mint around the entire structure of my home plus the base of some shade trees and fence lines as well. Thats the ying yang of mint i guess. I like the over growth. Now being retired is helpful because tending to my plants and chickens is now my full time job. Heck right bow I'm binging EPIC gardening like a part time job lol. Happy gardening season yall. This year gonna be special
As a little girl, I grew up spending about half my time at a cabin in the woods. There was a creek running through the front yard, and all along the bank we would find wild mint growing (I think spearmint?). We used to pick and eat it right from there. Recently I stumbled across that same variety, and now I'm seeing this, and I can't wait to fill a huge planter with it. I'm so happy to have a piece of my childhood back.
I got into aquascaping a while back. When my 30 gallon tank started to outgrow the container, I moved everything to an 80 gallon tank. I restarted the 30 gallon tank, but this time instead of using special substrate designed for aquariums, I just used regular old dirt. High quality aquarium substrate is expensive, to get a 2" layer in a 30 gallon tank costs like $50. And it doesn't compact at all, making landscaping impractical and very expensive. HOWEVER, plain old top soil is dirt cheap - literally. For $20 I got a bag of soil big enough to fill the tank 8" deep. Since dirt is 1000% cheaper than aquarium substrate, and can be compacted, it inspired me to try something new. I used the money I saved on dirt to buy "egg crate" material for $3 , and used that to build a retaining wall that divided the tank approximately 3:1 between dirt and water, with the water portion at the front. None of my aquariums use mechanical filters, I rely on the plants to do the work. But since the plants wouldn't be IN the water this time, the retaining wall had to be solid, but also semi-permiable. The egg crate did a good enough job holding back moist soil. But as soon as I added water to the open aquarium section, the whole tank would turn into mud. I needed a barrier between the soil and the water. Something that doesn't dissolve in water, but also isn't completely hydrophobic. Something that holds a little bit of water, so that as the soil dries out, it can absorb water from the barrier. But the barrier also needs to prevent water from seeping through into the soil if it's already wet. And it needs to do this complex balancing act on its own, with no external input, and no mechanical assistance. You know where I found this magical substance that does exactly that? I scraped it off the side of a riverbank. It's clay. Specifically, unrefined clay. I coated the aquarium side of the barrier with about an inch of clay I dug up from a river and it works perfectly. Tank has been running for about 3 years now with 3-5 tetras and a nerite snail in the water. No filters, no pumps, no need for water changes. When the water level gets low, I add water to the side with the soil, and in a few hours it filters through the clay and refills the aquarium. All this was to say that the plant I chose to grow in the soil was mint, because my wife's mother has a ton of it. The ecosystem I simulated in the tank was a riverbed, and even under weak artificial lighting, the mint has been growing out of control. Edit: I originally intended to add more plants in the soil, and possibly even some floating aquatic plants to reduce nitrogen levels in the water. Since I don't use external filtration, and do water changes once or twice a year rather than every month, it's important that I keep my tanks balanced. I was worried about the water conditions in this tank, because it was something entirely new to me. I had no idea what would happen. The tanks I build are more experimental than they are ornimental. I focus on the ecology more than anything. Aquariums are built in layers. Every layer has a purpose, and each additional layer supports the layer beneath it. Layers build up incrementally as the system grows. If you add another layer too soon, you'll shock the system and disrupt the balance. It's a lot like climbing the "corporate ladder," where one person steps on the heads of many people to reach the top. What's at the top though? Just a wobbly ladder supported by layers of people they climbed over to get there. Not to sound all "woo woo" and new age or whatever, but that's the same way nature works. Everything is built upon layers. The crops grown in fields are at the top of the ladder. That's what we want. We harvest the fruits and vegetables from their stems. But to bring it all back to the ladder analogy, the person who climbed to the top by stepping on heads isn't safe. They are at the top, sure. So they're assigned more value. In the same way a ripe tomato is worth hundreds of times more than the seed it grew from. But ladders are unstable. Sure, the person at the top is the one who produced the final product... But... That ladder had to be held by someone else on the ground. They kept the ladder stable so that the person on top could do the job.
In Germany there was a wonderful, mostly outdoor restaurant in Rathingen by an old mill near the water called Der Muhle. They always served cold mint drinks in mason jars with handles full of fresh mint sprigs, a little ice, a squeeze of lemon, and cold spring water with no added sugar and was sipped through a straw. It was so refreshing on a hot summer’s day and was by far their most popular drink.
Best warning I got was that mint grows like weeds and best planted in containers. I also grow shiso/perilla which is a part of the mint family. Very pretty plant to grow plus it doesn't spread as fast as mint. I'm always throwing its leaves in Korean and Vietnamese food.
I love shiso! I need to find somewhere online I can order it... I have a bunch of Japanese recipes that call for them I'd love to try, and the one time I was able to find it was at a store 200 miles away... no closer... I've had it at a few different restaurants my mom found, though. Love basil for the same reason.
I don't know if previous owners planted it intentionally or not, but there's mint growing all through the lawn in the backyard of my new house. I'm not sure what variety it is, but it has kind of a savoury quality alongside the usual mint flavour when you snack on it. Plus, it smells FANTASTIC when I mow the grass!
That one variety of mint that was shown (but not mentioned) is called Bergamot Mint. It's VERY strong and tasts very much like a cross between Bee Balm and Peppermint. It is really a great combo of flavors if you like Earl Grey tea. It's the one that has very round shiny leaves featured at the end. I discovered it in a friend's garden and brought some home to plant.
I love to muddle pineapple mint, spearmint, and lemon balm in some elderflower cordial/syrup with ice and top it off with club soda. Refreshing and tasty. Also a calming drink due to all the great properties in all of those herbs.
I grew mint for 9 years around my house to repel flies from a next door chickenhouse and it worked. I had no fly problem or really other inscect problem in the house. I would say have mint all around close to house but it is very invasive. It doeshave blooms that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and just a few wasps that you may have never seen before. The wasps wont be a problem and dont nest where you will be effected at all. Sweet smell and an herb you can use in culinary. Other than it being invasive , it is the perfect plant to have around your house💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
I planted some sweet mint in my front flowerbed when i first got my house. I planted it inside a pot knowing it was a plant that could take over. BUT i didn't cover the drain hole, so the roots escaped, and has been spreading through my front flowerbed for years. I don't mind it that much though because I just pull it up and give it to people each year , and dry some for my own mint tea.
I started some spearmint from seed last year I planted it in a tall container with a white flowering tobacco in the center. It was a very pretty combo and since the container was tall I let the mint drape over side.
Kevin, I saw an older video of yours on cocktail herbs & it gave me an idea you might like. What about growing, then making a video on edible flowers? Many leafy greens, once they bolt, produce flowers that are not only appreciated by pollinators, but are quite delish. Then there are other flowers that can be grown both to enjoy in the garden & the kitchen (i.e. nasturtium, violets, pansies). Plus, you can even record making a yummy treat using them in a cooked, baked, fried, &/or infused item.
I think we need to emphasize "Don't plant it directly in the ground!!" The former homeowners grew mint in ground, and I'm losing the battle. We're the house with mint ground cover 😫
I've been deliberately trying to replace all my grass with mint and other herbs as ground covers, like peppermint, creeping thyme, and oregano. I would much rather have them than grass, as grass is terrible for the environment and you can't even eat it. A lot of mint varieties can be stepped on, they smell great, and they can deter pests like groundhogs and deer.
In addition I would also like to add that due to the creeping nature of most mints, they form tight mats on the ground that are very good at preventing erosion. They flower so they attract pollinators, and beyond that, they also trap soil with their roots too.
I just started my first time growing mint, well growing anything really, from seeds and it just started sprouting! I'm so excited to see how it goes over the next few months!
I have a mint container garden on my deck. My favorite is "chewing gun mint" that is a type of mint that tastes like Double mint gum. I like it because it tastes very good with strawberries. No one turn me in, but I help nurseries prune their mint and come home and stick them in water to propogate them.
My grandmother never bought plants. She would help nurseries prune their plants. She would wear an apron with big pockets when she went to the store. Her window sill was always covered with cobalt blue and brown bottles containing her babies!
Would you have paid cash for the mint? Did you buy something else / spend money to support the nursery? If your answers are NO and YES - then you are forgiven. Go in peace to flourish and prosper dear friend!! (Like you, a tiny piece of portulaca followed me home last time)
@@kelsie_adams You mean gently pruning to ensure the plant is in tip top bushy appealing shape for the actual purchaser........yeah, so what's wrong with that! My confession back.....some very delicious cheese that was ONE day past it's stupid "Best before" date and was therefore 100% going to end up in a dumpster somehow ended up under a bag and I didn't see it until I was unpacking the trolley. Considering the input from the poor farmer and his cow and the supply chain and energy input all along the way, I figured that was less of a sin than to see it go to landfill - and yes, it WAS delicious!!
Yes! This video came at just the right time! I had a mint plant in a rather small pot last year, which died off in the winter. Now I see these small leaves popping up again around the edges of the pot and I was wondering what to do with it. So take it out, section it and repot a section. Thank you!
If you're also growing cilantro and jalapenos, mint chutney is AMAZING as a sauce for curries and Indian food (obviously), but honestly also quesadillas, french fries, etc.
We have several varieties we grow in containers on our porch. We love to put mint and lemon in water. So refreshing on a hot day. Also love mint tea. It is a very versatile plant. Thank you for what you do. I need to do some repotting.
@@reddiesteady9989 I use regular 🍋. To taste. I put lemon juice slices of lemon and mint leaves and fill a pitcher with water. Put in the fridge and let it sit so the flavors mix good. We really like it after working in the garden.
Thank you. I will try that. I love natural flavorings. Appreciate you taking the time to let me know that. I will get some lemon verbena growing. We are trying to always expand our garden, growing some of all kinds as much as we can. It is a process. Have a blessed day.
I am growing mint this year in pots to keep pests away from my veggies. Thanks for sharing on how to propagate. I paid for 2 large plants and was going to buy some more. Now I can grow some more for free!!!
man this timing is perfect😅 i just looked up if you had anything on mint a few hours ago cuz i wasn’t sure on how to prune it. i love all you guy’s videos so much, keep up the good work
I just planted some mojito mint in a 7 gallon fabric pot...it quickly got ravaged by cutworms but it's recovering now. I assumed it might be somewhat pest resistant since people use peppermint oil to deter pests, but quickly found out I was wrong about that.
Really? I just bought some plants this year for the same reason. Growing dill and basil too. I saw on yt video it would deter pests. Started it all early so I could put all the pots in between my tomatoes and peppers once they go in the ground.
@@carolfisch9750 I use an a pesticide for organic gardening called Spinosad. Ive found 3 of the caterpillars it killed since I've been using it. I was actually using it on other plants and assumed mint didn't need it. Last year I used BT spray and it was also effective.
@@bc24roxy4 I don't think it's their favorite plant, but definitely not a complete deterrent. I skipped my mint plant when applying organic pesticides, so that may be related, they probably would have preferred the tomato or pepper plants.
You didn't mention to never let the mint bloom and set seeds. I always trim my mint whenever it starts to bloom. I made the mistake of letting one plant flower and throw seeds all over. I was infested with mint all over the yard and was picking them out for over 20 years.
I have 23 varieties of mint in my garden this year, 20 in individual pots, one in a raised bed, one in the pond, and one in the bog garden. Yes, I'm mad, but it'll smell so nice once they get bigger.
I've gotten in to herbs this year and mints are great. Wasnt aware just how easy they are to propagate so I'll definitely be on the look out for varieties. Plant prices have gone crazy since the pandemic but I can justify the cost on perennials that easily multiply.
@@kevinphillips5330 - Herbs are fun and smell divine, plus you get the added bonus of being able to eat them. I planted a herb garden around 10 years ago, and although I've lost some and added some, I'm now overburdened with herbs during the year. Keep going, it's very much worth it. Luckily, I've not seen plant prices going up like that, but then I have quite a few nurseries near me (UK), and they all compete to keep prices affordable, thankfully.
@@empm - 'Variegated Applemint' is a good one, as it not only has a hint of apple, but the white stripes on its leaves make it unique. 'Ginger Mint' has yellow in its leaves. 'Mojito Mint' has wonderfully ruffled leaf edges. 'Bowles Mint' has fluffy leaves too. Other than this, I don't really have favourites per se. Their smells are all unique.
Help! A company called "Bonnie Plants" sent me "Spearmint (yerba buena)" but that seems totally wrong according to my research. I am into biology, so getting the genus and species right is important to me.
Me too! I’ve never up potted from its original container. In the fall I cut it all the way back and BOOM a personal sized mint is waiting for me in spring. 😏
I'm trying to grow alot of mint for my sister's wedding next year, so this video came in a excellent time To be honest with we as a family unit love mint. We make tea with it almost every day, so having it over run the garden isn't a bad thing for us 😂
I think the idea behind the flavors changing if planted together may be if they are given the opportunity to re-seed after flowering. If pollinators are going from one mint variety to another, and they re-seed then hypothetically they could result in new mints that begin to smell similar over time.
2 Separate pots about 12" to 18" apart, Garlic in 1 & Mint in the other. Friend needed more Mint for a Mexican Soup she was making, MY Mint had crossed with the garlic
Really enjoyed this video! Glad to learn a few really great mint propagation techniques from you. I have various mints cropping out everywhere amidst the rock wall seperating my garden beds from the driveway. Every year they grow a little farther along. It's truly delightful!
Thank you for sharing. I grow different mints in 3 gallon brightly colored buckets, stacked on top of each other, in what I call my mint tower. Whenever I go into the garden, I pick a different kind of mint leaf and chew it up. So refreshing❣
Thanks for this video! I am on a staycation this week and my garden project this week is a herb garden bed and planting mint. We make a family recipe chicken and rice dish (Nicaraguan). The ingredients calls for mint which we call (Yerba buena).
👋 Hi Elida P, I am also on staycation this week and was hoping to finish cleaning up the herb garden but winter decided to come back.. IT'S FREEZING OUT. my radishes had frost on them this morning.
@@SuffolkSusie That’s crazy! I am hearing all the weather news and it’s sounds like winter in some parts of the country. I’m in SoCal so it’s been a good spring so far. However, I wish we had more rain.
Last year around November while cleaning up my container garden here in Western PA, I emptied the mint container at the end l edge of the lawn where the woods start. Today that section is a field of mint! I really didn't think that would happen considering the winter, but it did. So a few weeks ago I went to the mint forest and propagated some and now I have containers of full, beautiful mint all around the house in containers. Buy one mint plant and you have endless for life😊
I had mint growing once. It grows like crazy. It's sort of weird, decided to remove it. It was growing on top of a composite pile too. Got rid of any sign of mint in the yard. But this is the crazy part, there was small little area on the outside of the yard where the mint just kept growing and growing but it never was a problem growing in the yard. Mint is an awesome plant. So easy. Grows like crazy. Interesting how, where it grows too.
You can also try California native mint relative like yerba buena and coyote mint. The taste varies by individuals but they have a unique taste similar to a mix of mint and oregano. Also I think the observation of the tastes of mint varieties blending might be explained by changes in subjective taste perception (new varieties taste unique at first and then they become more similar as you get used to them) because I cannot think of any way the different plants could actually physically change by being next to each other.
Yerba buena (good herb) has medicinal properties. It is good for digestive issues, IBS, nasal congestion among other things. Too bad I can't grow it; I've killed several.
This is great. I’m already an isolated box mint grower, but the propagation tips are useful . Re your herb growing tip request : mine is tarragon - I am in 8b - so I’m looking for wisdom that is appropriate to my zone TIA
I have a small patch of mint growing in my backyard lawn that comes back every year, and actually hasn’t spread-thank goodness!! Now I know how to propagate it to put in a pot! I’m considering making mint extract this summer to give as Christmas gifts.
i literally planted mint today! along with dill, chives, italian parsley, thai and genovese basil and lavender (i know i should have gotten a plant but im experimenting). you have videos on most of them tho i think. except maybe chives and the parsley? thanks! you’re the best!
Put a store bought mint in the dirt a bunch of years ago and it grew like crazy. Its pretty sealed off along a wall but i love it during summer. Great instead of buying crazy expensive mint for the mojitos.
This is just what I needed. All of my mint plants have survived the winter in my little unheated greenhouse, and they are coming back to life. I was hoping to repot them in fresh soil because, like your mint, the roots have filled the pots. I started all my mint plants from seed, and yes, even my spearmint. I even have a Mountain Mint that I started from seed 2 years ago. Those were the tiniest little seedlings that I have ever seen in my life, but they grew into a beautiful plant and now that’s my most favorite mint plant. Thank you so much for showing me how to repot these guys so I don’t have to root cuttings or start more seeds. ❤
Awesome video, really helped me to master the mint. One tip that I will really recommend is if you want to propagate mint the best way to do it is stem. If you go out to the garden and harvest some mint you can cut the leaves off and save the stem, what you want is a stem that has a few leaf nodes 2 or 3 and then you lay it sideways into a pot. I popped my pot onto a heatmat and within five days baby mint leaves popped up. These work great as gifts. If you want a supercharged version of this you do the same thing, except when you harvest you want to grab a stem that has been laying on the ground and has roots already. That will help you get results even faster. Thanks for all the tips Kevin!
I was having a problem with flea bettles on my eggplant and i read that if you plant it next to mint that it would deter them. I was skeptical but tried it, and it does work. I haven't seen any flea beetles since. Great video. Much ❤ from Nashville TN, zone 7a😊
I kept reading about mint as a beneficial/pest prevention plant so I keep a bunch of different varieties in pots all around my vegetable garden. I wouldn't keep my mints together just for the lessened benefits.
Great tips, Kevin & Jaques. 👍 The same tricks hold true for other members of the mint family, not just the "minty-flavored" ones...oregano, thyme, lemon balm. Pro tip if you like to cook, keep your herb garden close to the kitchen so that stuff is right there whenever you need it.
I tried growing thyme and rosemary and they died on me. Got them from a nursery, repotted them, rosemary dead in a week, thyme dead after 2. Basil thrived though. I grew some from seeds and it just look so bushy if I skip a weekly trim.
Can you please do a video on proper garden planning... What kind of plants to put where in your garden. I am about to start my dream garden and would love some basic advice.
I have been growing spearmint in the shade on the side of my house with very little effort. I think the shade keeps it from spreading so fast. It gets about an hour to two hours of sun a day. I has been very manageable. I handle it once a year when I’m weeding the area. Some of it gets pulled up when I pull weeds but it always comes back. I’d love to add different varieties. Thanks for the idea.
I had a whole vegetable garden patch that was "infested" with Chocolate Mint. It was very easy to yank out and eliminate. None of it returned to the garden, though a few rhizomes escaped into the lawn. I am NOT using containers and do not experience being "plagued" by the mint. I use quite a bit of it every day, in various medicinal teas I drink for my health. It vastly improves the bitter flavors I would experience otherwise. But that's just me... :)
I keep my peppermint in a container and it comes back year after year. It is extremely hard to kill. I am in growing zone 7 and during the winter we get really cold snaps and winter storms, but the mint comes back strong in the spring. I often have to snip the runners that grow over the sides of the container. In the summer, mint among other plants do a really good job and keeping pesky mosquitos at bay. Thank you for your great content!
I just got my hands on some apple mint and some chocolate mint. Made a 2 hour drive home very lovely smelling. Can't wait for them grow madly everywhere
You can totally grow spearmint from seed!! I regrow mine every year since I live in a cold climate and have very little indoor space to bring everything inside every winter. I have a handful starting right now
Every video you post is my favorite. It was really nice to meet you today at the airport, I wish that I would have said all the things that I thought about after you were gone!! Stop by again on your way back to San Diego and maybe we can do "take 2" on the video, lol.
Your channel is awesome !!! Thankyou for your thorough but very hands on and accessible teaching style ! As a teacher by trade, i can say you are good at this I was just looking at taking a community college level greenhouse botany course to build up some skills to be able to actually garden, when i found your channel
Very nice beginners video. I've been growing and collecting mints for years. With what I just ordered, this year I will be growing over 75 cultivars and species of mint.
Our neighbors must have bought lemon balm at some point and now it has popped up all around our yard, some of the plants are around 4 ft. tall. My mom isn't a fan but it smells nice so I don't mind.💚
It makes the most glorious tea EVER. just put leaves in cup pour boiling water over it, let steep, strain and enjoy. Oh my goodness, indescribable and very healthy
Absolutely agree with NOT planting diff types adjacent….here in uk the flavours become “muddy” when the roots mingle…so all my diff ones are next to each other but in diff pots. Jinxy
I have one in my front garden from my grandma's house. It's green with the stems red. Doing really good this year and my winters are quite cold. Zone 7b
I'm such a terrible gardener, my mint struggles to take over much area, even though its planted in ground. I was so worried I had killed it off when it shriveled up, but It re-appeared from a rhizome. It was given by a neighbor/friend who has passed, and I like having it there reminding me of her.
What herb do you want to see a guide on next? We're growing a ton right now!
How to keep the bugs off the mint?
Basil maybe??
Chief, one of the best gardening channels I’ve seen on RUclips and I’m fairly critical….would love to see some animal farming tips and tricks, aquaculture perhaps, pigs, rabbits, chickens et cetera…..Gods bless
Not many people seem to cover tarragon, marjoram or savory.
Marjoram! (Thanks 😄)
My neighbor's mint crawled from her yard into ours! When I mow the lawn it always smells a little minty lol
Better than smelling dog poo 💩
Sometimes it spreading so quickly is a good thing. I use mint for termite and ant control (im in ouchita forest always wet wood out here). Anywho, I have mint around the entire structure of my home plus the base of some shade trees and fence lines as well. Thats the ying yang of mint i guess. I like the over growth. Now being retired is helpful because tending to my plants and chickens is now my full time job. Heck right bow I'm binging EPIC gardening like a part time job lol. Happy gardening season yall. This year gonna be special
As a little girl, I grew up spending about half my time at a cabin in the woods. There was a creek running through the front yard, and all along the bank we would find wild mint growing (I think spearmint?). We used to pick and eat it right from there. Recently I stumbled across that same variety, and now I'm seeing this, and I can't wait to fill a huge planter with it. I'm so happy to have a piece of my childhood back.
I got into aquascaping a while back. When my 30 gallon tank started to outgrow the container, I moved everything to an 80 gallon tank.
I restarted the 30 gallon tank, but this time instead of using special substrate designed for aquariums, I just used regular old dirt.
High quality aquarium substrate is expensive, to get a 2" layer in a 30 gallon tank costs like $50. And it doesn't compact at all, making landscaping impractical and very expensive. HOWEVER, plain old top soil is dirt cheap - literally. For $20 I got a bag of soil big enough to fill the tank 8" deep.
Since dirt is 1000% cheaper than aquarium substrate, and can be compacted, it inspired me to try something new. I used the money I saved on dirt to buy "egg crate" material for $3 , and used that to build a retaining wall that divided the tank approximately 3:1 between dirt and water, with the water portion at the front.
None of my aquariums use mechanical filters, I rely on the plants to do the work. But since the plants wouldn't be IN the water this time, the retaining wall had to be solid, but also semi-permiable.
The egg crate did a good enough job holding back moist soil. But as soon as I added water to the open aquarium section, the whole tank would turn into mud. I needed a barrier between the soil and the water. Something that doesn't dissolve in water, but also isn't completely hydrophobic. Something that holds a little bit of water, so that as the soil dries out, it can absorb water from the barrier. But the barrier also needs to prevent water from seeping through into the soil if it's already wet. And it needs to do this complex balancing act on its own, with no external input, and no mechanical assistance.
You know where I found this magical substance that does exactly that? I scraped it off the side of a riverbank. It's clay. Specifically, unrefined clay. I coated the aquarium side of the barrier with about an inch of clay I dug up from a river and it works perfectly.
Tank has been running for about 3 years now with 3-5 tetras and a nerite snail in the water. No filters, no pumps, no need for water changes. When the water level gets low, I add water to the side with the soil, and in a few hours it filters through the clay and refills the aquarium.
All this was to say that the plant I chose to grow in the soil was mint, because my wife's mother has a ton of it. The ecosystem I simulated in the tank was a riverbed, and even under weak artificial lighting, the mint has been growing out of control.
Edit: I originally intended to add more plants in the soil, and possibly even some floating aquatic plants to reduce nitrogen levels in the water. Since I don't use external filtration, and do water changes once or twice a year rather than every month, it's important that I keep my tanks balanced.
I was worried about the water conditions in this tank, because it was something entirely new to me. I had no idea what would happen.
The tanks I build are more experimental than they are ornimental. I focus on the ecology more than anything. Aquariums are built in layers. Every layer has a purpose, and each additional layer supports the layer beneath it. Layers build up incrementally as the system grows. If you add another layer too soon, you'll shock the system and disrupt the balance.
It's a lot like climbing the "corporate ladder," where one person steps on the heads of many people to reach the top. What's at the top though? Just a wobbly ladder supported by layers of people they climbed over to get there.
Not to sound all "woo woo" and new age or whatever, but that's the same way nature works. Everything is built upon layers. The crops grown in fields are at the top of the ladder. That's what we want. We harvest the fruits and vegetables from their stems.
But to bring it all back to the ladder analogy, the person who climbed to the top by stepping on heads isn't safe. They are at the top, sure. So they're assigned more value. In the same way a ripe tomato is worth hundreds of times more than the seed it grew from.
But ladders are unstable.
Sure, the person at the top is the one who produced the final product... But...
That ladder had to be held by someone else on the ground. They kept the ladder stable so that the person on top could do the job.
In Germany there was a wonderful, mostly outdoor restaurant in Rathingen by an old mill near the water called Der Muhle. They always served cold mint drinks in mason jars with handles full of fresh mint sprigs, a little ice, a squeeze of lemon, and cold spring water with no added sugar and was sipped through a straw. It was so refreshing on a hot summer’s day and was by far their most popular drink.
Thank you for sharing that! Sounds wonderful!
Best warning I got was that mint grows like weeds and best planted in containers. I also grow shiso/perilla which is a part of the mint family. Very pretty plant to grow plus it doesn't spread as fast as mint. I'm always throwing its leaves in Korean and Vietnamese food.
I love shiso! I need to find somewhere online I can order it... I have a bunch of Japanese recipes that call for them I'd love to try, and the one time I was able to find it was at a store 200 miles away... no closer... I've had it at a few different restaurants my mom found, though. Love basil for the same reason.
I keep my shiso in a pot. Haven't tried it in the ground but it is really pretty.
I don't know if previous owners planted it intentionally or not, but there's mint growing all through the lawn in the backyard of my new house. I'm not sure what variety it is, but it has kind of a savoury quality alongside the usual mint flavour when you snack on it. Plus, it smells FANTASTIC when I mow the grass!
A pure grass lawn is overrated... I have the same thing happening here! Mowing that Chocolate Mint patch is a real treat...;-)
Keep mowing(pruning) it will multiply lol
let it grow roll around in it youl smell better
@@pheresy1367 this is the pure, unsaturated, 100% truth. unreal how nice it smells when u hit a patch
Boil the green leaves make tea delicious
That one variety of mint that was shown (but not mentioned) is called Bergamot Mint. It's VERY strong and tasts very much like a cross between Bee Balm and Peppermint. It is really a great combo of flavors if you like Earl Grey tea.
It's the one that has very round shiny leaves featured at the end. I discovered it in a friend's garden and brought some home to plant.
Its also called Orange Mint. It is fabulous
I love to muddle pineapple mint, spearmint, and lemon balm in some elderflower cordial/syrup with ice and top it off with club soda. Refreshing and tasty. Also a calming drink due to all the great properties in all of those herbs.
I grow chocolate mint and make a simple syrup with it to put in my coffee and on pancakes
@@Animallovercomedian that’s such a lovely idea & sounds yummy. I’m going to try it
How about sharing the recipe 😊 please please
I need to get a hand saw. You made cutting through the roots look like cutting butter.
I grew mint for 9 years around my house to repel flies from a next door chickenhouse and it worked. I had no fly problem or really other inscect problem in the house. I would say have mint all around close to house but it is very invasive. It doeshave blooms that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and just a few wasps that you may have never seen before. The wasps wont be a problem and dont nest where you will be effected at all. Sweet smell and an herb you can use in culinary. Other than it being invasive , it is the perfect plant to have around your house💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
So nice to see your cat😄 my cat also keep me company when gardening.
I planted some sweet mint in my front flowerbed when i first got my house. I planted it inside a pot knowing it was a plant that could take over. BUT i didn't cover the drain hole, so the roots escaped, and has been spreading through my front flowerbed for years. I don't mind it that much though because I just pull it up and give it to people each year , and dry some for my own mint tea.
I started some spearmint from seed last year I planted it in a tall container with a white flowering tobacco in the center. It was a very pretty combo and since the container was tall I let the mint drape over side.
Not sure why he’s saying you can’t grow spearmint from seed.
Kevin,
I saw an older video of yours on cocktail herbs & it gave me an idea you might like. What about growing, then making a video on edible flowers? Many leafy greens, once they bolt, produce flowers that are not only appreciated by pollinators, but are quite delish. Then there are other flowers that can be grown both to enjoy in the garden & the kitchen (i.e. nasturtium, violets, pansies). Plus, you can even record making a yummy treat using them in a cooked, baked, fried, &/or infused item.
I think we need to emphasize "Don't plant it directly in the ground!!" The former homeowners grew mint in ground, and I'm losing the battle. We're the house with mint ground cover 😫
Oh no! I hope you can cut it out
Honestly it's better than grass because you can eat it at least lol.
I've been deliberately trying to replace all my grass with mint and other herbs as ground covers, like peppermint, creeping thyme, and oregano. I would much rather have them than grass, as grass is terrible for the environment and you can't even eat it. A lot of mint varieties can be stepped on, they smell great, and they can deter pests like groundhogs and deer.
Well at least it smells good?
In addition I would also like to add that due to the creeping nature of most mints, they form tight mats on the ground that are very good at preventing erosion. They flower so they attract pollinators, and beyond that, they also trap soil with their roots too.
I just started my first time growing mint, well growing anything really, from seeds and it just started sprouting! I'm so excited to see how it goes over the next few months!
Thanks!
I have a mint container garden on my deck. My favorite is "chewing gun mint" that is a type of mint that tastes like Double mint gum. I like it because it tastes very good with strawberries.
No one turn me in, but I help nurseries prune their mint and come home and stick them in water to propogate them.
My grandmother never bought plants. She would help nurseries prune their plants. She would wear an apron with big pockets when she went to the store. Her window sill was always covered with cobalt blue and brown bottles containing her babies!
@@laurimcclish212 sounds like my plant window 😂. Succulents at great cause you put the snip directly into dirt.
Would you have paid cash for the mint? Did you buy something else / spend money to support the nursery? If your answers are NO and YES - then you are forgiven. Go in peace to flourish and prosper dear friend!! (Like you, a tiny piece of portulaca followed me home last time)
@@andersonomo597 I. Spend so much money there! So I feel good about pinching.
@@kelsie_adams You mean gently pruning to ensure the plant is in tip top bushy appealing shape for the actual purchaser........yeah, so what's wrong with that! My confession back.....some very delicious cheese that was ONE day past it's stupid "Best before" date and was therefore 100% going to end up in a dumpster somehow ended up under a bag and I didn't see it until I was unpacking the trolley. Considering the input from the poor farmer and his cow and the supply chain and energy input all along the way, I figured that was less of a sin than to see it go to landfill - and yes, it WAS delicious!!
Yes! This video came at just the right time! I had a mint plant in a rather small pot last year, which died off in the winter. Now I see these small leaves popping up again around the edges of the pot and I was wondering what to do with it. So take it out, section it and repot a section. Thank you!
If you're also growing cilantro and jalapenos, mint chutney is AMAZING as a sauce for curries and Indian food (obviously), but honestly also quesadillas, french fries, etc.
We have several varieties we grow in containers on our porch. We love to put mint and lemon in water. So refreshing on a hot day. Also love mint tea. It is a very versatile plant. Thank you for what you do. I need to do some repotting.
I know you said lemon but it doesn't say what exactly. Have you have mint and lemon tea using lemon verbena leaves ?
@@reddiesteady9989 I use regular 🍋. To taste. I put lemon juice slices of lemon and mint leaves and fill a pitcher with water. Put in the fridge and let it sit so the flavors mix good. We really like it after working in the garden.
Have a try of the lemon verbena and mint tea. About ten big mint leaves and five lemon verbena leaves and add boiling water. Refreshing on a cold day
Thank you. I will try that. I love natural flavorings. Appreciate you taking the time to let me know that. I will get some lemon verbena growing. We are trying to always expand our garden, growing some of all kinds as much as we can. It is a process. Have a blessed day.
You're welcome.
I am growing mint this year in pots to keep pests away from my veggies. Thanks for sharing on how to propagate. I paid for 2 large plants and was going to buy some more. Now I can grow some more for free!!!
man this timing is perfect😅 i just looked up if you had anything on mint a few hours ago cuz i wasn’t sure on how to prune it. i love all you guy’s videos so much, keep up the good work
I just planted some mojito mint in a 7 gallon fabric pot...it quickly got ravaged by cutworms but it's recovering now. I assumed it might be somewhat pest resistant since people use peppermint oil to deter pests, but quickly found out I was wrong about that.
Really? I just bought some plants this year for the same reason. Growing dill and basil too. I saw on yt video it would deter pests. Started it all early so I could put all the pots in between my tomatoes and peppers once they go in the ground.
How do you protect your mojito mint from the cutworms? I am getting some of that mint this month and want to keep it healthy and alive!
@@carolfisch9750 I use an a pesticide for organic gardening called Spinosad. Ive found 3 of the caterpillars it killed since I've been using it. I was actually using it on other plants and assumed mint didn't need it. Last year I used BT spray and it was also effective.
@@bc24roxy4 I don't think it's their favorite plant, but definitely not a complete deterrent. I skipped my mint plant when applying organic pesticides, so that may be related, they probably would have preferred the tomato or pepper plants.
You didn't mention to never let the mint bloom and set seeds. I always trim my mint whenever it starts to bloom. I made the mistake of letting one plant flower and throw seeds all over. I was infested with mint all over the yard and was picking them out for over 20 years.
Well you could use all those unwanted mint to your advantage
My entire front garden is mint , love it
When life gives u mint u make a virgin mojito😂😅
@@theurbanthirdhomestead exactly
Good to know I’m letting it bloom now
I have 23 varieties of mint in my garden this year, 20 in individual pots, one in a raised bed, one in the pond, and one in the bog garden. Yes, I'm mad, but it'll smell so nice once they get bigger.
I've gotten in to herbs this year and mints are great. Wasnt aware just how easy they are to propagate so I'll definitely be on the look out for varieties. Plant prices have gone crazy since the pandemic but I can justify the cost on perennials that easily multiply.
@@kevinphillips5330 - Herbs are fun and smell divine, plus you get the added bonus of being able to eat them. I planted a herb garden around 10 years ago, and although I've lost some and added some, I'm now overburdened with herbs during the year. Keep going, it's very much worth it.
Luckily, I've not seen plant prices going up like that, but then I have quite a few nurseries near me (UK), and they all compete to keep prices affordable, thankfully.
which is your favorite? would love to know, this is so interesting!
@@empm - 'Variegated Applemint' is a good one, as it not only has a hint of apple, but the white stripes on its leaves make it unique. 'Ginger Mint' has yellow in its leaves. 'Mojito Mint' has wonderfully ruffled leaf edges. 'Bowles Mint' has fluffy leaves too.
Other than this, I don't really have favourites per se. Their smells are all unique.
Help! A company called "Bonnie Plants" sent me "Spearmint (yerba buena)" but that seems totally wrong according to my research. I am into biology, so getting the genus and species right is important to me.
I have a mint plant in a pot and had it for about 8 years now. I love it and the smell. It's the most hardest plant ever 💚🌱💚
Me too! I’ve never up potted from its original container. In the fall I cut it all the way back and BOOM a personal sized mint is waiting for me in spring. 😏
I'm trying to grow alot of mint for my sister's wedding next year, so this video came in a excellent time
To be honest with we as a family unit love mint. We make tea with it almost every day, so having it over run the garden isn't a bad thing for us 😂
Aunty, I buried some Trader Joe's mint over 10 years ago. In ground compost. It grew. I have had it ever since. It just grows everywhere.
Hi it’s been 1 year have you grown a lot of mint
Yes!!!
Same as a North african. Btw its been an year, what did you do?
I think the idea behind the flavors changing if planted together may be if they are given the opportunity to re-seed after flowering. If pollinators are going from one mint variety to another, and they re-seed then hypothetically they could result in new mints that begin to smell similar over time.
2 Separate pots about 12" to 18" apart, Garlic in 1 & Mint in the other. Friend needed more Mint for a Mexican Soup she was making, MY Mint had crossed with the garlic
Really enjoyed this video! Glad to learn a few really great mint propagation techniques from you. I have various mints cropping out everywhere amidst the rock wall seperating my garden beds from the driveway. Every year they grow a little farther along. It's truly delightful!
Thank you for sharing. I grow different mints in 3 gallon brightly colored buckets, stacked on top of each other, in what I call my mint tower. Whenever I go into the garden, I pick a different kind of mint leaf and chew it up. So refreshing❣
Thanks for this video! I am on a staycation this week and my garden project this week is a herb garden bed and planting mint.
We make a family recipe chicken and rice dish (Nicaraguan). The ingredients calls for mint which we call (Yerba buena).
Yum!
Sounds Wonderful!
👋 Hi Elida P, I am also on staycation this week and was hoping to finish cleaning up the herb garden but winter decided to come back.. IT'S FREEZING OUT. my radishes had frost on them this morning.
@@SuffolkSusie That’s crazy! I am hearing all the weather news and it’s sounds like winter in some parts of the country. I’m in SoCal so it’s been a good spring so far. However, I wish we had more rain.
@@SuffolkSusie I think Suffolk must have have had bad luck as here in Norfolk its been sunny. 2 weeks ago we had a frost of a night-time though
I grow mint varieties in my Aquaponics and it will runaway growing everywhere if not careful. My Rabbits and Chickens love it
thank you for posting this. i have my own mint plant but i never knew how to properly care for it.
I love minr plants..I wanna learn more..thank you Kevin..
Last year around November while cleaning up my container garden here in Western PA, I emptied the mint container at the end l edge of the lawn where the woods start. Today that section is a field of mint! I really didn't think that would happen considering the winter, but it did. So a few weeks ago I went to the mint forest and propagated some and now I have containers of full, beautiful mint all around the house in containers. Buy one mint plant and you have endless for life😊
I literally got 2 different mint plants last week! This video deffo helps 💖
I had mint growing once. It grows like crazy. It's sort of weird, decided to remove it. It was growing on top of a composite pile too. Got rid of any sign of mint in the yard. But this is the crazy part, there was small little area on the outside of the yard where the mint just kept growing and growing but it never was a problem growing in the yard. Mint is an awesome plant. So easy. Grows like crazy. Interesting how, where it grows too.
You can also try California native mint relative like yerba buena and coyote mint. The taste varies by individuals but they have a unique taste similar to a mix of mint and oregano. Also I think the observation of the tastes of mint varieties blending might be explained by changes in subjective taste perception (new varieties taste unique at first and then they become more similar as you get used to them) because I cannot think of any way the different plants could actually physically change by being next to each other.
Yerba buena (good herb) has medicinal properties. It is good for digestive issues, IBS, nasal congestion among other things. Too bad I can't grow it; I've killed several.
I love making mint tea in the summer! I have six varieties that I like to blend.
This is great. I’m already an isolated box mint grower, but the propagation tips are useful . Re your herb growing tip request : mine is tarragon - I am in 8b - so I’m looking for wisdom that is appropriate to my zone TIA
I have a small patch of mint growing in my backyard lawn that comes back every year, and actually hasn’t spread-thank goodness!! Now I know how to propagate it to put in a pot! I’m considering making mint extract this summer to give as Christmas gifts.
i literally planted mint today! along with dill, chives, italian parsley, thai and genovese basil and lavender (i know i should have gotten a plant but im experimenting). you have videos on most of them tho i think. except maybe chives and the parsley? thanks! you’re the best!
Put a store bought mint in the dirt a bunch of years ago and it grew like crazy. Its pretty sealed off along a wall but i love it during summer. Great instead of buying crazy expensive mint for the mojitos.
This is just what I needed. All of my mint plants have survived the winter in my little unheated greenhouse, and they are coming back to life. I was hoping to repot them in fresh soil because, like your mint, the roots have filled the pots. I started all my mint plants from seed, and yes, even my spearmint. I even have a Mountain Mint that I started from seed 2 years ago. Those were the tiniest little seedlings that I have ever seen in my life, but they grew into a beautiful plant and now that’s my most favorite mint plant.
Thank you so much for showing me how to repot these guys so I don’t have to root cuttings or start more seeds. ❤
Awesome video, really helped me to master the mint. One tip that I will really recommend is if you want to propagate mint the best way to do it is stem. If you go out to the garden and harvest some mint you can cut the leaves off and save the stem, what you want is a stem that has a few leaf nodes 2 or 3 and then you lay it sideways into a pot. I popped my pot onto a heatmat and within five days baby mint leaves popped up. These work great as gifts. If you want a supercharged version of this you do the same thing, except when you harvest you want to grab a stem that has been laying on the ground and has roots already. That will help you get results even faster. Thanks for all the tips Kevin!
I was having a problem with flea bettles on my eggplant and i read that if you plant it next to mint that it would deter them. I was skeptical but tried it, and it does work. I haven't seen any flea beetles since. Great video. Much ❤ from Nashville TN, zone 7a😊
Thank you so much for this video and all the advices on the comment section. ❤
I kept reading about mint as a beneficial/pest prevention plant so I keep a bunch of different varieties in pots all around my vegetable garden. I wouldn't keep my mints together just for the lessened benefits.
Thanks for the fresh video! I learned a lot
Also burnet. Had some years ago and didn’t quite know what to do with it but I remember using it in salads?
Great tips, Kevin & Jaques. 👍
The same tricks hold true for other members of the mint family, not just the "minty-flavored" ones...oregano, thyme, lemon balm.
Pro tip if you like to cook, keep your herb garden close to the kitchen so that stuff is right there whenever you need it.
I tried growing thyme and rosemary and they died on me. Got them from a nursery, repotted them, rosemary dead in a week, thyme dead after 2.
Basil thrived though. I grew some from seeds and it just look so bushy if I skip a weekly trim.
Perfect timing !! I just ordered a bunch of different varieties of mint starts 🙌🏽 definitely appreciate all of this info 🤓
I had to dig out ~30 inches of mint root from a tall vase, by hand, it was the only way to stop it from consuming the entire world (you're welcome).
Thanks for all your ideas and lessons how to grow and water the mint.....that's amazing
🥰😍I LOVE GROWING DIFFERENT MINTS...THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR TIPS!! IT'S LIKE AN ENDLESS GROWTH OF MINT THAT NEVER GETS OLD.
Can you please do a video on proper garden planning... What kind of plants to put where in your garden. I am about to start my dream garden and would love some basic advice.
I have been growing spearmint in the shade on the side of my house with very little effort. I think the shade keeps it from spreading so fast. It gets about an hour to two hours of sun a day. I has been very manageable. I handle it once a year when I’m weeding the area. Some of it gets pulled up when I pull weeds but it always comes back. I’d love to add different varieties. Thanks for the idea.
I had a whole vegetable garden patch that was "infested" with Chocolate Mint. It was very easy to yank out and eliminate. None of it returned to the garden, though a few rhizomes escaped into the lawn.
I am NOT using containers and do not experience being "plagued" by the mint. I use quite a bit of it every day, in various medicinal teas I drink for my health. It vastly improves the bitter flavors I would experience otherwise.
But that's just me... :)
AWSOME bro
I keep my peppermint in a container and it comes back year after year. It is extremely hard to kill. I am in growing zone 7 and during the winter we get really cold snaps and winter storms, but the mint comes back strong in the spring. I often have to snip the runners that grow over the sides of the container. In the summer, mint among other plants do a really good job and keeping pesky mosquitos at bay. Thank you for your great content!
Rhizomes will share nutrients with other roots. Taste blending is more likely to occur from that than from air.
I just got my hands on some apple mint and some chocolate mint. Made a 2 hour drive home very lovely smelling. Can't wait for them grow madly everywhere
You can totally grow spearmint from seed!! I regrow mine every year since I live in a cold climate and have very little indoor space to bring everything inside every winter. I have a handful starting right now
I have grown it from seed as well. Not sure why he’s saying you can’t.
In Egypt, we like to drink tea with mint, like black tea with mint. It goes really really well with tea, and you can drink it while eating a dessert
I sometimes forget I even have mint because I never have to tend to it. I have spearmint that I got a couple years back and she's doing great
this is one herb I was thinking about getting and growing
Every video you post is my favorite.
It was really nice to meet you today at the airport, I wish that I would have said all the things that I thought about after you were gone!!
Stop by again on your way back to San Diego and maybe we can do "take 2" on the video, lol.
Love pineapple mint it’s tea worthy and pretty to grow
Your channel is awesome !!!
Thankyou for your thorough but very hands on and accessible teaching style ! As a teacher by trade, i can say you are good at this
I was just looking at taking a community college level greenhouse botany course to build up some skills to be able to actually garden, when i found your channel
Very nice beginners video. I've been growing and collecting mints for years. With what I just ordered, this year I will be growing over 75 cultivars and species of mint.
I did this a few years ago. Sadly most didn't survive the winter
I lose my pineapple mint, strawberry, Hillary's sweet lemon, and blue balsam every year. I do grow them in containers so I can move them around though
Tnx a lot lot mint ware just laying on our house now i just planted it 😍😃
Our neighbors must have bought lemon balm at some point and now it has popped up all around our yard, some of the plants are around 4 ft. tall. My mom isn't a fan but it smells nice so I don't mind.💚
It makes the most glorious tea EVER. just put leaves in cup pour boiling water over it, let steep, strain and enjoy. Oh my goodness, indescribable and very healthy
I love lemon balm too. I keep it in a pot next to my mint pot.
@@danitalock5857 Yesss!😋
I have chocolate mint here in 9a TX and it’s delicious sometimes I just pinch a leaf off and it tastes like an Andes mint chocolate
Excellent video! Thank you so much!!!! Appreciate your knowledge to help others like me!
Interesting, the flavors blend out.
Thank you!! 😊 we're like addicted to mint like crazy. And have been trying to grow it to spread like crazy for years!
I have crazy chocolate mint, my friend gave me some and it grows then I planted some in a pot just a few weeks and they are thriving ♥️👍👍
I'll share this with my friend, his mint took over his garden last year.
You are amazing and easy to follow.
Great video, I have just started growing herbs indoors on my windowsill and really appreciate your advice 👍
thank you kevin great information as always
Very good clip with great ideas.
man just last night i was looking through the channel for a video on Mint, guess i should plant some now
Absolutely agree with NOT planting diff types adjacent….here in uk the flavours become “muddy” when the roots mingle…so all my diff ones are next to each other but in diff pots. Jinxy
I have one in my front garden from my grandma's house. It's green with the stems red. Doing really good this year and my winters are quite cold. Zone 7b
Can you make a video on easiest herbs to grow? Is mint easier than basil?
I just picked up a strawberry mint in northwest North Carolina!
Wilkes county?
Just discovered Ginger Mint…the aroma is LOVELY, ahhhh 🥰
Great info! Thanks!
any tips on growing indoors and wintertime for herbs?
I'm such a terrible gardener, my mint struggles to take over much area, even though its planted in ground. I was so worried I had killed it off when it shriveled up, but It re-appeared from a rhizome. It was given by a neighbor/friend who has passed, and I like having it there reminding me of her.
Thanks for all the information, great video as always 😊
One of the best channels
Bobca said that was enough flaunting her in front of the camera! 🤣
LOL too true
I believe I understand he was showing how to get to the point of rooting as that example mint branch or stock.
I have sowed the seeds and waiting for the results anxiously
I meeeaan I just grew some spearmint from seed here in my garden ☺️ I live in Hawaii , so I mean the weather may just be right for it 🤷♂️ 🥰
Thank you Kevin & Jacques for the mint tips. I need to re-pot & prune mine it's gone wild. I love Babka she is so cute.chillwcat MEOW!
My peppermint is exactly like the one you dumped out and cut up. I guess I need to do that!