Greetings, caretaker. I am your mint plant, a resilient but sun-seeking perennial at heart. While my leaves and stems may seem tender, my survival instinct is strong, rooted in a vigorous underground network of rhizomes. To ensure I thrive for another season of vibrant growth, you must understand my needs as the cold approaches. Here is my perspective on the process you call "overwintering."
As daylight wanes and temperatures drop, I receive the signal to slow down. This is not a time for you to encourage tender new growth with fertilizer. Instead, my request is for you to cease nitrogen-rich feeds by late summer. This allows my existing growth to harden off, or "acclimate," making my cells less susceptible to freeze damage. Please continue to provide water, especially if the autumn is dry. I need to enter my dormant period well-hydrated, as desiccation from cold winds is a grave threat. A final, gentle trim to remove any diseased or dead foliage is appreciated, but a severe haircut now would be a shock, wasting precious energy I have stored in my roots.
My most vital parts are safe underground. My rhizomes are my treasure, storing the energy needed to burst forth again in spring. The primary goal is to protect this crown and root system from repeated freeze-thaw cycles and bitter, drying winds. After the first hard frost has blackened my top growth, it is time to build my blanket. A thick layer of loose, breathable mulch is ideal. Four to six inches of straw, shredded leaves, or evergreen boughs is perfect. This layer does not heat me but traps the earth's existing warmth, stabilizes the soil temperature, and prevents heaving that can tear my roots from the ground. Please avoid using heavy, matting materials like whole leaves or heavy compost, which can smother me and promote rot.
If I am living in a pot, my situation is far more precarious. My roots are surrounded on all sides by frozen air, not the insulating mass of the earth. Leaving me above ground in a cold climate is a death sentence. You have two primary options. The first is to sink my entire container into a vacant hole in your garden soil for the winter, allowing the earth to regulate my temperature, and then mulch over the top as you would for my in-ground siblings. The second, simpler method is to move my pot to a protected, unheated space—a garage, shed, or cold frame. Here, I will be shielded from the worst of the wind and sun. I will require a minimal sip of water every few weeks to prevent my roots from turning to dust, but I must be kept dormant and cool.
As the sun strengthens and the threat of severe hard frosts passes in spring, I will begin to stir. Do not be too hasty to remove my protective mulch. A late freeze can damage my new, tender shoots. Wait until you see definite signs of my new growth pushing through the soil, then gradually remove the winter mulch layer over a week or so. This allows me to acclimate gently to the new season. Once the mulch is gone and the soil has warmed, you can give me my first light feeding and a thorough drink. I will reward your diligent care with a flush of the fresh, aromatic growth you cherish.
