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From: eac@drutx.UUCP (CveticEA)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: query: how to prune an overgrown mint plant?
Message-ID: <1169@drutx.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 3-Sep-86 10:05:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: drutx.1169
Posted: Wed Sep  3 10:05:26 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 5-Sep-86 07:47:16 EDT
References: <2259@hammer.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 34


>I just moved into a home whose yard contains a mint plant.  It has been
>growing wild for several months, and is much too big for its location.
>I would like to trim it back (and regain the use of the sidewalk), but
>I'm concerned.  Only the outer part of the bush is green; the inner
>stalks are grown, and if I trim it back as much as I want to I won't
>leave any green.
>
>Suggestions?  I can wait until winter if that's proper.  I like having
>fresh mint, so total removal is not an option.

>  -=- Andrew Klossner   (decvax!tektronix!tekecs!andrew)       [UUCP]
>                        (tekecs!andrew.tektronix@csnet-relay)  [ARPA]


Mint is a very sturdy perennial and can be treated as such.  In the
early fall, dig the entire plant.  Cut it straight down through the
roots into manageable size sections, removing the dead center part.
Retain as many different plants as you want.  

When you replant the part(s), its a good idea to keep it under control
by either planting it in a buried large clay pot, or sinking boards
around it.  Otherwise, you may have to battle shoots popping up all
over the place.  Every few years you can repeat this process.

If you just trim the bush back, it won't rejuvenate the plant as much
as the above treatment.  Don't be afraid to dig and cut it into
sections--mint is nearly indestructible--almost to a fault.  

Betsy Cvetic
ihnp4!drutx!eac

P.S.--most perennials can be treated this way.  Thyme, bleeding heart,
daisies, etc. all benefit from periodic divisions.