Description of the Peppermint or Kubanskaya variety, cultivation and care features

Peppermint, Kubanskaya variety – a method for growing a vitamin-rich, aromatic herb in garden plots. This easy-to-grow plant requires little effort or time for planting and care. For initial use For propagation, it is recommended to plant mint seeds for seedlings, the plant subsequently grows throughout the entire allocated area, and it is better to propagate mint by root shoots or cuttings.

Features of the variety

The plant is a medicinal perennial bushy herb with a high content of essential oils. A member of the Lamiaceae family, this herb quickly spreads across a plot using a branched rhizome system. The stems are erect, with trailing shoots reaching up to 450 millimeters in length.

The foliage is short-petioled and oblong. When flowering, the plants are covered with red-purple flowers that grow at the top of each shoot and are joined together by spike-shaped inflorescences. Depending on the climate zone, the flowering period extends from June to September.

The best time to plant is spring. When sowing seeds for seedlings, work begins in March, and the seedlings are planted outdoors from April until early summer, depending on regional weather conditions. It is used in medicinal infusions, drops, and to prepare a mild, soothing decoction and tea. For this purpose, the above-ground portion of the plant is harvested.

Where it grows

The plant grows in the south of the country but tolerates the climate of the central regions well. It can be grown on a windowsill all winter. For planting seeds, select a site with well-drained, thick, fertile soil. It is not recommended to plant the spice in unprepared, heavy soils—mint will thrive in such conditions, but will be stunted.

An over-fertilized plot of land will allow mint to quickly grow green mass, but the content of essential oils in such conditions decreases.

Seed preparation

Seed preparation involves choosing the right planting material. Seeds do not require pre-soaking in a nutrient or disinfectant solution or cold treatment. Seeds can be purchased at a gardening store or collected from neighbors.

Harvesting seeds yourself requires carefully collecting seeds only from ripe and dried flower stalks. The seeds are then dried and stored in a paper bag at room temperature. Before planting, discard any damaged or dried seeds.

Choosing a landing site

For planting mint, choose a well-ventilated area. Mint tolerates partial shade, so it can be planted next to low shrubs or in a flowerbed with rose bushes.

In the fall, you will need to prepare the bed for planting:

• dig the bed to a depth of 250 millimeters, remove all weed roots and basal vegetation of shrubs;
• mix 3 kilograms of humus with 15 grams of sodium chloride and superphosphate, add 15 grams of ammonium nitrate and 60 grams of wood ash;
• the mixture is thoroughly mixed and evenly spread over 1 square meter;
• In the spring, before the soil dries out, it is broken up with a rake and the surface of the bed is leveled.

Sowing

Planting of seedlings begins at the end of March:

• Store-bought soil for flowers is poured into seedling boxes and lightly compacted;
• moisten the soil with a spray bottle;
• small seeds are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the soil and covered with loose, light soil;
• The top layer of soil is slightly moistened with warm water from a spray bottle and covered with glass or wrapped in plastic film.

Once the first shoots emerge, the glass is removed. It's now important to maintain moist and loose soil. Once six true leaves have emerged and the temperature has stabilized, the seedlings are transplanted into open ground.

• on the prepared bed, at a distance of 250 millimeters between plants in a row and 450 millimeters between rows, make holes with a shovel or hoe;
• Place the seedling evenly in the hole, straighten its roots and fill the seedling with soil in small portions;
• lightly compact the top of the hole and pour warm water into the resulting hole;
• After the water has been absorbed, the space in the hole and the entire surface between the rows are covered with a layer of peat or other material to mulch the bed.

During the first 2 weeks, young sprouts are watered with warm water at least once every 2 days. Already in August, small seedlings will turn into tall bushes, the height of which is up to 450-600 millimeters.

Plant care

The plant requires little care. By consistently maintaining moist soil under the bushes, loosening it, and removing all weeds between rows and around the plants, the Kubanskaya peppermint variety will be provided with optimal conditions for growth and development.

In the pre-winter period, it will be necessary to cut all the stems at a height of 50-100 millimeters above the ground and, in severe frosts, cover them with film or a piece of old roofing material.

In the spring, after digging a trench around the bushes, add a layer of organic matter, ammonium nitrate, and superphosphate. The trenches are filled with warm water. This allows for a combined spring feeding and watering of the mint bushes. To prevent the mint from overrunning the surrounding area, the bed is enclosed with wooden or steel partitions, driven into the soil to a depth of 80-100 millimeters.

Harvesting and storage

Mint harvesting begins during flowering. Only the green part of the plant is picked, as this contains most of the essential oils and microelements. To preserve the mint for winter, it is lightly crushed by hand and then dried indoors. It is important to keep the herb away from direct sunlight, as this will prevent it from fading and losing its properties.

The dried herb is now placed in cloth bags or glass jars and sealed with plastic lids. The herb is used in salads, mint drops, and other applications. The required amount is removed from the jar and used as directed.

Conclusion

A novice gardener can grow the healing and aromatic Kubanskaya peppermint variety in their garden. This easy-to-grow plant requires little care or effort. Small seedlings grow into tall bushes with fragrant foliage and beautiful flowers. You can prepare a healing infusion or simply a delicious tea at any time, bringing joy and peace to your home.