What to do when your mint plants have taken over the garden. Cathy Isom explains on today’s This Land of Ours.
While there are a number of uses for mint plants, invasive varieties, can quickly take over the garden. Other than placing barriers deep in the ground to prevent their runners from spreading, growing mint in containers is probably the best way to keep these plants under control. However, you may have to consider tactics to kill mint if this plant becomes unruly.
There are several ways to do this without the use of harmful chemicals, which should always be a last resort. Some gardeners have had luck using boiling water to kill mint. Others swear by using a homemade mixture of salt, dish soap and white vinegar. Both methods will require frequent applications onto the mint over some time in order to kill it. Also be aware that these methods will kill any vegetation that it comes in contact with. You could also try covering the mint with thick layers of newspaper, followed by a layer of mulch to smother it.