Description of the black mint variety, features of cultivation and care

Black mint is a variety English mint. This is a special hybrid that is not found in the wild. It is cultivated for use for medicinal purposes, in cooking, and cosmetology.

Specifics of black mint

Black peppermint has red-violet stems and intense green leaves. The perennial is the leader in the content of essential oils, but in terms of aroma intensity it is significantly inferior to white mint. The foliage contains less menthol, so the aroma is much weaker. Blacks are cultivated in our country types of mint.

Necessary conditions for growth

This type of perennial is quite hardy, so even a novice gardener can grow and harvest a decent harvest in the first year. Black beauty grows and develops well in any soil composition. For its planting, choose sunny meadows with light partial shade at midday. The perennial does not require additional fertilizer.

When to plant mint

Ready-made young trees can be planted during the entire active growing season. In order for the young seedling to better take root and adapt to harsh external conditions, it is planted in cool and moist soil in autumn or winter.

At the end of October, after the final harvest, the selected area is dug up and cleared of weeds and annoying dead wood. High-quality compost is added to the empty area and leveled with a rake.

If you need to plant selected seeds for seedlings, it is better to do this in the third ten days of March. Strong seedlings are planted in May, after the end of return frosts.

If the selected seeds were sown in spring March, then by the end of the hot summer the young shoots will grow into strong bushes.

Preparation of planting material

Planting material is obtained in various ways - purchased in a special store or local nursery, or collected independently.

Collecting seeds from a perennial yourself is a rather painstaking task. It is important to understand that artificially bred varieties result in a completely different variety. That is why all material must be purchased from a trusted store in order to obtain good germination.

Also, some gardeners purchase ready-made seedlings of life-giving mint at specialized sales points.A shoot of the mother perennial taken from a friend’s plot is suitable as a good material for strong seedlings. The resulting shoot is placed in a glass of water; when its roots develop up to 5 cm in length, it is a ready-made seedling.

Where to plant the plant

In order for a useful plant to maximize its life-giving qualities, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to choosing the optimal place for planting it. In this case, follow these recommendations:

• A fragrant flower is a kind of weed that can fill an entire area, so it is necessary to think about a limiter for it. Slate sheets along the entire perimeter of perennial growth are suitable for this role.
• Select areas where buckwheat, legumes, and any root crops were previously cultivated.
• When planting young mint, take into account its future neighbors: do not place it near shrubs that are constantly subject to aggressive chemical treatment. Plant it away from such plants.
• The perennial feels comfortable in a lighted area. The midday heat is detrimental to its delicate leaves, so choose a semi-shaded place, reliably protected from the wind.
• The soil for planting perennials is fertile, loose.
• The perennial will lose its pleasant aroma if it actively grows and develops in an area with a high lime content.
• Unlucky neighbors of mint that can ruin its appearance are cucumbers, beets, and cabbage.

When planting, you need to remember that mint does not tolerate acidic and waterlogged soil.

How to plant a crop

To plant a life-giving perennial in open ground, make small grooves 5 cm deep. Maintain a minimum distance of 30-50 cm between planted plants.Sprinkle the selected seeds with fertile soil. Compact the soil and water abundantly.

Mint care rules

Any novice gardener can cope with caring for the perennial, since it is unpretentious to external conditions. To provide life-giving mint with comfortable conditions, follow several valuable recommendations:

• Provide intensive watering at the beginning of the growing season.
• Regularly loosen the soil, providing oxygen access to the roots.
• In the spring, feed with high-quality compost and wood ash.
• If there are severe winters in the planting region, then it is better to protect it with spruce branches or leaves.
• Life-giving mint is a perennial that delights with its aroma for many years. But every 4 years it is necessary to renew the plant, since its qualities weaken.
• Drastic pruning of the bush at the root gives even greater growth during the growing season.

Features of watering

The fragrant perennial is able to withstand dry times, so it is enough for it to provide high-quality watering 2 times a month. During drought, water more intensively than usual. The perennial cannot tolerate dry soil.

Loosening

Regular loosening of the soil will benefit the perennial. You can loosen the tree trunk once a season or more often.

Weeding

During the procedure, do not forget to remove annoying weeds. They can slow down the growth of perennials, so get rid of them on time.

Diseases

Mint is susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew and destructive rust. When affected by powdery mildew, white spots appear on the leaves; when affected by rust, orange spots appear. The affected leaves are torn off, and the perennial is completely treated with potent agents.

Pests

During the entire growing season, it is necessary to ensure that the perennial is not attacked by pests. Often, unprotected mint is attacked by aphids, various mites, the mint leaf beetle, and the dangerous mint flea beetle.

Collection and storage of mint

Harvesting is carried out during the period when the leaves have the highest content of nutrients. Mint is harvested at the height of its lush flowering. The stems are carefully cut, tied in bunches, and hung in ventilated areas. Also spread on fabric or paper in a thin layer.