Mint in garden - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have a lot of mint in our garden. When we moved in last summer it was unruly. I know it is super hard to get rid of and wanted some advice...
Knowledgebase
Mint in garden #861873
Asked March 18, 2024, 6:28 PM EDT
Hello,
I have a lot of mint in our garden. When we moved in last summer it was unruly. I know it is super hard to get rid of and wanted some advice on what I could do. I am looking at tarps to put down over the heavier areas of it. But it has started spreading underground to other parts of the back yard. Would I need to use chemicals to kill it? What would be the effects of using chemicals on the rest of my yard?
Thanks!
Ingham County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Megan,
It is very difficult to get rid of mint. The following excerpt is from Penn State University about getting rid of mint in the garden. It suggests two cultural methods to control mint: pulling it and smothering (tarping) it. Be careful not to till the soil or chop up the roots since that will only produce more mint plants growing from pieces of the roots left in the soil.
"You have two non-herbicidal methods to get rid of your invasive mint: digging it out, or smothering it.
If you have other established plants, dig them out, remove every piece of mint stem and rhizome from their root balls, and relocate them. Then dig the area deeply and thoroughly, shaking mint stems and roots from each spade of soil. Some people recommend screening each spadeful of soil. Let the area sit for a few weeks, digging or pulling any new mint plants that emerge (they will!).
Smothering will take a full season. After you've relocated any other plants you want to save, spread several overlapping layers of cardboard or a thick layer of newspaper over the entire area. Don't leave any gaps that will let the light shine through. Then cover the paper with a thick layer of leaves, straw, hay, or pine needles. If it's an area well-suited to vegetable production, you could stab small holes in the mulch, plant winter or summer squash, pumpkins, or cucumbers, and let them ramble over the ground as your mint is smothering underneath. The following spring, pull or dig any mints that emerge (some will). You can either remove the mulch or add more and plant new crops.
Best method of all: dig the mint out first, then apply the smothering mulch.
If you do enjoy having mints in your garden, try planting them in containers (submerged in soil if you like), so the rhizomes can't encroach on neighboring plants. Check the containers for cracks before you sink them into soil."
https://plantvillage.psu.edu/posts/3491-general-getting-rid-of-unwanted-mint
If you choose to use a herbicide on the lawn, you can find products that will kill the mint but not the grass. Check the label to see if mint is on the list of plants that the herbicide will kill. Also, it's best to treat the mint in early spring, either by tarping or with a herbicide.
I hope this helps, but please don't hesitate to contact me again if you have any questions or need further information.
It is very difficult to get rid of mint. The following excerpt is from Penn State University about getting rid of mint in the garden. It suggests two cultural methods to control mint: pulling it and smothering (tarping) it. Be careful not to till the soil or chop up the roots since that will only produce more mint plants growing from pieces of the roots left in the soil.
"You have two non-herbicidal methods to get rid of your invasive mint: digging it out, or smothering it.
If you have other established plants, dig them out, remove every piece of mint stem and rhizome from their root balls, and relocate them. Then dig the area deeply and thoroughly, shaking mint stems and roots from each spade of soil. Some people recommend screening each spadeful of soil. Let the area sit for a few weeks, digging or pulling any new mint plants that emerge (they will!).
Smothering will take a full season. After you've relocated any other plants you want to save, spread several overlapping layers of cardboard or a thick layer of newspaper over the entire area. Don't leave any gaps that will let the light shine through. Then cover the paper with a thick layer of leaves, straw, hay, or pine needles. If it's an area well-suited to vegetable production, you could stab small holes in the mulch, plant winter or summer squash, pumpkins, or cucumbers, and let them ramble over the ground as your mint is smothering underneath. The following spring, pull or dig any mints that emerge (some will). You can either remove the mulch or add more and plant new crops.
Best method of all: dig the mint out first, then apply the smothering mulch.
If you do enjoy having mints in your garden, try planting them in containers (submerged in soil if you like), so the rhizomes can't encroach on neighboring plants. Check the containers for cracks before you sink them into soil."
https://plantvillage.psu.edu/posts/3491-general-getting-rid-of-unwanted-mint
If you choose to use a herbicide on the lawn, you can find products that will kill the mint but not the grass. Check the label to see if mint is on the list of plants that the herbicide will kill. Also, it's best to treat the mint in early spring, either by tarping or with a herbicide.
I hope this helps, but please don't hesitate to contact me again if you have any questions or need further information.
