how do i care for spearmint, i use it for tea. do i cut the dead branches from last year?

Question

i live in south Washington.

Answer 1

Mints need very little care as they tend to be invasive. I never even cut off what appears to be dead. Mint is an herb and herbs rehydrate on last years growth. Any plant with a square stem rehydrates. Roll the stem in your fingers and you'll feel it isn't round. Cutting off what appears to be dead you may be cutting off parts that will rehydrate. Wait until spring and it starts to green up. Once it's growing you'll be able to tell what really is dead and what isn't. Otherwise you're just cutting off perfectly good growth so it will stay small. If you have a limited space to grow you may want to trim it to keep it from spreading.

Answer 2

Plaplant is right. Except I would suggest that you keep your spearmint in a container of some sort as it can take over. Otherwise just keep it fairly well watered and it should be fine.
Oh, is that Washington DC or State?
In Washington state you might have to protect it throughout the winter. In DC you might only have to protect it when the weather gets really cold.
Here in NE Texas, I had a spearmint plant that nearly took over the whole area just behind my house. Unfortunately, my house mate at the time took it into her head to mow it down every time she mowed. That and a drought is the only thing that killed it off I think.

Answer 3

Spearmint is pretty easy and doesn't need a lot of fertilizer. You are right to cut off the dead parts from last year. I use it for tea by boiling water and running out to the garden and cutting fresh leaves. I pour the water over it and let it steep 3 to 5 minutes, stir it and pour it through a strainer. It is good with honey, some people like it with lemon.

Answer 4

i have mint growing wild around me the only thing i do is spray weed killer on it where i dont want it to grow