how deep will mint roots go?

habitat_gardener · July 19, 2009

I have some cinderblocks I'd like to make into mint planters, stacked 2 high. Are the roots likely to go deeper than a foot, and find their way to the rest of the garden? I have chocolate mint, moroccan mint, and a taller version of spearmint.

VGary · July 19, 2009

I use a three to four gallon container which sits in a saucer type container. Mint loves moist soils and this assures you that it will not dry out between watering. My containers sit on the side of my patio on concrete! You don’t want it near soil except what you have in the container. Fill the container leaving three or four inches at the top of the container. You don’t want the mint growing over the lip/edge of the container; this provides some control of the plant.. You say you are going to be using a lot of the mint; that is good in that it needs to be trimmed back often. Your trimming should take care of any seed heads which reduces the chance of seed getting into the garden or the lawn.
Happy Gardening!
Gary

aninocentangel · July 20, 2009

You might try setting the cinderblocks on plastic to help discourage any rooting. I re-potted some mint for the spouse a few weeks ago and they had sprouts that were just breaking the surface, they originated from the bottom of a six inch tall pot and they had little baby leaves along most of their length so I don't think a foot would deter them. They now live on the sidewalk, well away from anything resembling soil.

zopi · July 20, 2009

Ah mint...The miniature Kudzu...that stuff'll outrun a goat...

I agree with the above...containers where it can't get away...

Sherry_AK · July 20, 2009

I think mint roots will grow clear through to the other side of the Earth!

Medbury Gardens · July 27, 2009

i grow my mint in bathtubs, sat up on rocks so the plug hole is off the ground,no mint roots has made it out the bottom yet

habitat_gardener · July 27, 2009

I was planning to do something like that -- put the cinderblocks on other blocks so there's some air under the bottom of the cinderblocks.

Last year I had my mint containers next to the raspberries, and I finally got around to pulling out the two escapees. One of the mint plants had a stem about 3 ft. long! The roots/rhizomes were a foot long, but were easy to pull out because I mulch heavily.

**Mischka** · July 29, 2009

See this thread for more about growing mint...

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ight=rebellion

July 19, 2009	#1
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	how deep will mint roots go? I have some cinderblocks I'd like to make into mint planters, stacked 2 high. Are the roots likely to go deeper than a foot, and find their way to the rest of the garden? I have chocolate mint, moroccan mint, and a taller version of spearmint.

July 19, 2009	#2
VGary Tomatoville Honoree Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 460	Growing Mint I use a three to four gallon container which sits in a saucer type container. Mint loves moist soils and this assures you that it will not dry out between watering. My containers sit on the side of my patio on concrete! You don’t want it near soil except what you have in the container. Fill the container leaving three or four inches at the top of the container. You don’t want the mint growing over the lip/edge of the container; this provides some control of the plant.. You say you are going to be using a lot of the mint; that is good in that it needs to be trimmed back often. Your trimming should take care of any seed heads which reduces the chance of seed getting into the garden or the lawn. Happy Gardening! Gary __________________ *"We believe we mere debtors to God in relation to each other and all men, to improve our Time and Talents in this Life, in that manner in which we might be most useful." Shaker Covenant 1795*

July 29, 2009	#8
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	See this thread for more about growing mint... http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ight=rebellion __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

July 20, 2009	#3
aninocentangel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 8a Coastal SC Posts: 251	You might try setting the cinderblocks on plastic to help discourage any rooting. I re-potted some mint for the spouse a few weeks ago and they had sprouts that were just breaking the surface, they originated from the bottom of a six inch tall pot and they had little baby leaves along most of their length so I don't think a foot would deter them. They now live on the sidewalk, well away from anything resembling soil.

July 20, 2009	#4
zopi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: VA Posts: 39	Ah mint...The miniature Kudzu...that stuff'll outrun a goat... I agree with the above...containers where it can't get away...

July 20, 2009	#5
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	I think mint roots will grow clear through to the other side of the Earth!

July 27, 2009	#6
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	i grow my mint in bathtubs, sat up on rocks so the plug hole is off the ground,no mint roots has made it out the bottom yet