Spearmint
A classic, sweet mint for tea, sauces, and salads. It is a strong grower and a good choice for pots.
When to plant Mint in York
Mentha spp.
Mint is a hardy, vigorous herb that grows well in the ground or in pots across the UK. It spreads quickly, so containers or a contained bed are usually the easiest way to keep it under control.
60 cm · Partial Shade · Moderate Water
Calibrated to York · average last frost around 26 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Plant mint in a contained bed or sunk pot if you want it in the soil. It spreads by runners, so containment is the main job.
01
Sow Seeds
12 Mar to 10 MaySow seed thinly on the surface of seed compost around 12th March - 10th May and barely cover it. Keep the compost evenly moist while the seedlings emerge.
02
Pot On Seedlings
2 Apr to 14 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePrick seedlings out into individual pots from 2nd April once they are easy to handle. Grow them on until roots fill the pot and the plants are sturdy.
03
Harden Off
12 Apr to 26 AprFrom 12th April, acclimatise plants outside over about 10 days before planting them out. Keep them out of cold wind and bring them in if a late cold spell is forecast.
04
Plant Out
30 Apr to 12 JulSet plants into prepared ground from 30th April, spacing them so air can move around the clump. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep them watered until they are properly rooted.
05
Contain Spread
30 Apr to 29 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeksFrom 30th April, check for runners and cut them back before they root beyond the allotted space. Regular containment keeps ground-grown mint tidy and stops it taking over.
06
Pinch And Harvest
25 Jun to 29 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksBegin picking from 25th June once the plants have bulked up. Pinch out the tips often from 25th June to 29th September and harvest regularly to keep fresh growth coming.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Mint to consider
Peppermint
A sharper mint with a strong menthol flavour. It grows well in a container and is best picked young for the cleanest taste.
Chocolate Mint
A milder mint with a hint of cocoa in the scent. It spreads just as freely as other mints, so keep it contained.
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Mint guides by town
See how Mint timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.