How Many Days for Mint Seeds to Germinate? Detailed Guide to Planting Time and Method

Mint is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the herb category. The plant grows very fast, generally spreading in a creeping manner, with a plant height of around 30cm and a crown width that can reach 100cm. When growing mint, it should be planted in a flower pot to control its growth. Mint has many uses; it can be used as a cooking ingredient or made into a refreshing drink. Friends who like to open up a “little vegetable garden” on their own balcony might as well plant a small patch of mint, how many days does it take for mint seeds to germinate after being planted? What are the planting time and method?

1. How many days does it take for mint seeds to germinate after being planted?

Generally speaking, at least a week, and at most ten days. When sowing, simply scatter the seeds on the surface of moist potting soil, then cover the pot with glass or plastic film to keep it warm and moist, and place it in a sunny spot. Sowing mint from seeds requires patience, because it does not germinate as quickly as cabbage or radish, so you need to wait very patiently.

2. Planting time and method for mint seeds

1. Planting time for mint seeds

Mint is not strict about soil requirements, but loam or semi-sandy loam with deep soil layers, loose fertility and rich organic matter is best. The suitable growth temperature is 20℃~33℃. Saline-alkali land and low-lying land are not suitable for planting. However, fertile loam and sandy loam are best. There must be sufficient sunlight, so mint should not be planted in shaded places.

Mint is generally propagated by rhizomes, and can also be propagated by cuttings and by seeds. The latter two methods grow slowly and are prone to variation, so they are generally used less. When propagating by rhizomes, planting in spring or before winter is both acceptable. Spring planting is mostly carried out from late March to early April, and planting before winter is carried out around late October.

2. Planting method for mint seeds

Sowing method

Use loose, well-draining fertile soil. Before planting, water thoroughly, and when scattering the seeds over the soil layer, make sure to do so evenly.

Because mint seeds are very small, there is no need to cover them with soil. Keep soil moisture at a suitable level, and you can use a small spray bottle to mist the seeds to keep them moist.

Sow in an environment of about 20℃, and be careful never to exceed 25℃. If the temperature is lower than 20℃, you can cover with plastic wrap to raise the temperature and keep it moist. During high summer temperatures, the seeds should be placed in a shaded area to cool down, because excessively high temperatures easily cause the seeds to lack water, and before they have taken root, they can only rely on artificial watering to ensure normal development.

If plastic wrap has been used for covering, then after the seeds sprout, it needs to be removed in time, and the seeds should be moved to a place where they can receive appropriate light.

Planting out should wait until the seeds have grown 5-6 leaves. Generally, one small seedling should be planted per hole. First straighten the seedling, arrange the root system, then fill in soil and press it firm, and water thoroughly once.

After the seedlings have grown for a while, apply an appropriate amount of liquid fertilizer as a top dressing.

Soil

There are certain requirements for choosing the soil of the mint planting site. Generally, it is best to choose sandy loam or alluvial soil for planting. Before planting, the soil should be tested for pH; soil with excessive pH cannot be planted. At the same time, the planting site must not have low-lying or waterlogged areas, the drainage system should be relatively complete, the land should be deeply plowed, and attention should also be paid to loosening and hilling the soil to avoid soil compaction affecting the growth of mint.

Temperature

Mint is a plant that likes warmth and is also tolerant of low temperatures and high temperatures. Under normal circumstances, it is best to grow it in an environment with a temperature of around 25 to 30 degrees, and at the same time note that the lowest temperature must not be lower than minus 15 degrees, otherwise it will freeze to death. However, in most areas of our country, temperatures basically rarely reach minus 15 degrees, so there is no need to worry about it freezing to death. But in order to let mint grow better and faster, the most suitable temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees, so we can regulate the temperature artificially.

Fertilizing

The growth of mint requires a large amount of nutrients, because it mainly promotes the growth of branches and leaves as well as its propagation efficiency, so it is basically mainly nitrogen fertilizer. Generally, fertilizer needs to be applied about once every month, which can keep mint vigorous. During this period, an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer, potassium fertilizer and the like can also be applied. If it is sold as a potted plant, then fertilizer should especially be applied before sale, so as to keep the mint verdant and maintain its plant shape, which can increase the economic benefits of mint.

Watering

Mint's water requirements need to be strictly controlled. It is suitable for growing in a relatively moist environment, but it also has a certain drought tolerance. In order to increase the yield of mint, it needs to be watered many times throughout its growth process. During its seedling stage, it generally needs watering about once every half month. During the middle growth stage, it needs the most water, generally requiring watering about once every five to seven days.

Pruning

If we are growing mint for multiple years, we need to prune the mint. This can not only increase the yield of mint but also improve its quality. Harvesting mature mint leaves at the right time means that over the course of a year it can be harvested in multiple batches, and the quality of the harvested mint leaves is also excellent. But if it is not harvested in a timely manner, then the fragrance of the old mint leaves will not be strong, and the quality will naturally decline somewhat.