Mixed Mint 500 Seeds Peppermint herb NON-GMO Heirloom Vegetable Sowing: Mint grows well in rich soil and partial shade, and damp soil. Direct sow after the last spring frost, thinning the seedlings to 10-12". Keep in mind that mint spreads easily and can nearly take over the space it is planted in. Because of this, some gardeners prefer to grow mint in an isolated location or as a container plant because of its vigorous spreading habit. As a companion plant, mint benefits nearly every garden plant and repels many harmful insects. Mint also grows well from root cuttings or by division. Growing: Mint appreciates rich soil, and will benefit from organic matter such as compost. Keep the soil fairly moist, but avoid getting the leaves wet when watering, since this can cause disease. In areas with cold winters, cut the plant down to the ground after frost and provide a thick layer of mulch for protection. Harvesting: Fresh leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant reaches a height of 3-4". The small, young leaves tend to have the best flavor. Cut the stems down to within 1" of the ground level to allow for new growth. Keep the tops pruned to prevent blooming, since this causes the leaves to deteriorate in flavor. To dry the leaves, hang the stems upside down in a dry location until the leaves feel completely dry; strip them from the stems and keep them in an airtight container. Fresh mint leaves can also be frozen. Seed Saving: Since many types of mint produce sterile seed or seed that is not true to type, saving the seed may be somewhat of an experiment. Harvest the seed heads as soon as they grow dry and brown; spread them out to finish drying out of sunlight, then thresh them to remove the seed. Store the peppermint seed in a cool, dry place. Peppermint Herb Specifications Season: Perennial USDA Zones: 3 - 10 Height: 24 inches Bloom Season: Summer to fall Bloom Color: Pink Environment: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Rich, moist soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.5 and 7.0 Deer Resistant: Yes Latin Name: Mentha Piperita Temperature: 72F Average Germ Time: 10 - 15 days Light Required: Yes Depth: 1/8 - 1/4 inch deep Sowing Rate: 3 - 5 seeds per plant Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination Plant Spacing: 18 - 24 inches Spearmint Herb Specifications Season: Perennial USDA Zones: 4 - 9 Height: 12 - 36 inches Bloom Season: Early summer Bloom Color: Lavender Environment: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.5 Deer Resistant: Yes Latin Name: Mentha Spicata Temperature: 60 - 70F Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days Light Required: Yes Depth: 1/8 inch Sowing Rate: 3 - 5 seeds per plant Moisture: Keep moist until germination Plant Spacing: 18 inches