Dwarf Spearmint

1200 seeds

1. Sowing Indoors or Outdoors:

   - Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

     - Sow seeds on the surface of a moist, well-draining seed-starting mix. Lightly press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them, as mint seeds need light to germinate.

     - Keep the soil moist and maintain a temperature of 65–70°F (18–21°C). Germination can take 10–21 days.

   - Outdoors: Directly sow seeds outdoors in spring once the soil has warmed up and there’s no risk of frost.

     - Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep, spacing them 12–18 inches apart.

2. Sunlight and Soil:

   - Sunlight: Dwarf Spearmint prefers full sun or partial shade. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from excessive heat.

   - Soil: Plant in moist, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0–7.0). Mint is not too picky about soil quality but grows best in fertile, rich soil.

3. Watering:

   - Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the hot summer months. Mint tends to dry out quickly, so regular watering is important.

   - Avoid waterlogging, as mint roots can rot in overly wet soil.

4. Care:

   - Thinning: Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to about 12–18 inches apart to give them space to grow and prevent overcrowding.

   - Fertilizing: Mint does not require heavy fertilization, but you can apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring to encourage healthy growth, especially if the soil is not very rich.

   - Pruning: To keep the plant bushy and promote more leaves, regularly pinch back the growing tips. This will also prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.

   - Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and keep the roots cool, especially in hot weather.

5. General Tips:

   - Dwarf Spearmint is a compact variety that is ideal for container gardens, small spaces, or even hanging baskets.

   - Mint tends to spread quickly, so contain it in a pot or a garden bed with barriers to prevent it from taking over other plants. You can also grow it in a garden bed with a root barrier to control its spread.

   - Mint is a vigorous grower, so be sure to trim back any unwanted runners to keep it in check.

6. Harvesting:

   - Harvest leaves from the top of the plant when they are young and tender, usually in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot.

   - You can prune the plant regularly to encourage more growth and prevent flowering (which can make the leaves taste bitter).

   - Mint leaves can be used fresh or dried for tea, culinary dishes, or medicinal purposes.

Dwarf Spearmint is a fragrant and versatile herb that thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas. With its compact size, it’s perfect for small gardens, containers, or even windowsills! Plus, it’s easy to grow and provides fresh leaves for a wide range of uses.