Lemon Mint, 1,000 years old Heirloom
$3.25
$3.75
The Seed Savers Exchange - Used by Native Americans for medicinal and culinary purposes, the citrus-flavored leaves of lemon mint can be minced and added to fruit jellies. Its beautiful purple bracts, held on 24-30" tall plants, are aromatic and colorful in the fall and attract bees. Hardy perennial in zones 5-9.
Characteristics:
Self-seeding annual plants
Plants grow to 24-30 inches tall
Purple flower bracts attract bees
Leaves are aromatic and citrus-flavored
Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath surface of soil. Plant out in early spring just before last frost. Remove spent blossoms regularly to prolong blooming.
Sow seed indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost
Germination 10-20 days
Plant 12-24" apart
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability
Spearmint
$3.45
$3.95
The Seed Savers Exchange - The dark-green, toothed leaves of this mint species are used for making tea and cocktails and for flavoring candies and desserts, as well as for adding fragrance to lotions and tinctures. Perennial in zones 4-10.
Characteristics:
Perennial in zones 4-10
Plants grow to 1-3 feet tall
Dark green leaves with toothed edges
The fresh, minty flavor
Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed in late spring. Can also be directly sown outdoors just before last spring frost. Spearmint will spread vigorously; to control its runners plant in a container sunk into ground. Prefers average well-drained soil and will tolerate dry conditions.
Sow 1/8" deep
Germination 7-10 days
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability
Catmint
$2.89
$2.99
Renee's Garden - This aromatic, flowering landscape herb grows in mounds of soft gray-green leaves covered with a haze of shimmering lavender-blue flowers. Easy to grow catmint makes a beautiful spreading ground cover that blooms for weeks on end. Plant it under roses, in an herb garden, at the front of perennials, or to cover bare corners of the garden with a soft wave of color. Many house cats adore its fragrance as much as its less attractive relative, catnip.
Characteristics:
Landscaping Herb
Easy to grow
Soft grey-green foliage
Lavender-blue flowers
Attracts cats
Approx 450 seeds
Instructions - In spring, 6 weeks before the last expected frost, sow seeds 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Cover lightly, keep warm and moist and provide a strong light source. Feed every 2 weeks with half-strength fertilizer. Once seedlings are well-established, transplant them 2 to 3 inches apart into deeper containers so root systems have room to develop. When 3 to 4 inches tall, acclimate to outdoor conditions and plant in full sun 12 inches apart.
Plant in: May - June for cold winters or March-May for mild winters
Full sun
Sow seeds 1 inch apart
Plant 1 inch deep
10-15 days to germinate
Mature Height: 12-18 inches
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.
Spearmint Italian, Heirloom
$3.04
$3.29
Renee's Garden - Sweetest of all the mints, true spearmint produces scented bright green, serrated leaves all season. Freshly harvested spearmint has a delicious aromatic perfume that accents, but doesn't overpower, many kinds of salads and cooked dishes. Enjoy the leaves whole, chopped, dried, frozen, or preserved in salt, sugar, alcohol, or sweet oil. Fresh spearmint tea is a delight and making your own Mint Juleps is a gardener’s treat! Grow only in containers, because mint spreads very quickly in the ground.
Characteristics:
Heirloom
Butterfly & Hummingbird favorites
Pollinators & Beneficials
Great in containers
Summer/Spring/Fall harvest
Frost hardy to zone 4
1200 Seeds
Instructions - In early spring, 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, start seeds in a container of moistened soil mix. Sow thinly, but do not cover. Provide a good light source until ready to transplant when seedlings are large enough to handle. Grow only in containers because mint spreads rampantly by underground runners, quickly becoming a nuisance in the garden. When warm spring weather arrives, sow seeds thinly (but do not cover) in containers of pre-moistened new soil mix in full sun. Keep evenly moist but not soggy. When several inches tall, thin or transplant seedlings 6 to 8 inches apart in pots at least 16 inches across and 12 inches deep. Mint is long-lived and gets overcrowded easily. Divide plants into 4 quarters every spring, replanting 1 quarter of the original clump into a pot of fresh soil mix. Replant extra clumps in new pots or give them away. Harvest frequently to encourage new growth. Snip sprigs of leaves in the morning when the aromatic oils are strongest.
Plant in March-June
Full Sun
Do not cover
Space seeds very thinly
10-14 days to germinate
Mature height: 1 foot, mounding
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.