Re: Containing mint

---

• To: Ted Patterson <p*@EROLS.COM>
• Subject: Re: Containing mint
• From: "* I* <h*@ix.netcom.com>
• Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1998 11:32:46 -0400
• References: <v03007801b157baba9da2@[207.172.173.1]>

Ted Patterson wrote:
> 
> We were going to plant mint and chives in patio containers this year.
> However, I would prefer to plant them in the ground in the herb bed, along
> with the other herbs.
> What is the current thinking on the best method for keeping mint or chives
> within bounds?
> Is a circle of 4-6 in. plastic lawn edging sufficient?

Ted, I handle this two plants differently.  

CHIVES.  I've not had a containment problem as much as a self seeding
problem.  This is easily rectified by just pulling out the unwanted
seedlings, and if you're really worried, making sure your chives don't
go to seed.  Sometimes the "mother" plant starts to get too big, then I
either "put it out of its misery" by digging the whole thing up and let
one of the babies become the new mother, or just reduce the root base by
pulling/digging out some of the roots.

MINT.  A monster.  The edging you propose will NOT work.  I put in some
mint my first year of gardening (6 years ago now) and still pull out
stragglers from the lawn and other beds (although the bulk of it was
gone after 4 years).  I don't know if sunk containers will be adequate,
but I now only grow mint in above ground containers.  

Sue, who tends to learn things the hard way, from New York.
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