Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022 - 212

Mint - Diseases
trifluralin products (trifluralin) PRE
Beans
(Dry), Beans (Fresh), Lima Beans, Peas (Dry), Peas (Fresh),
Southern Peas/Cowpeas | 0.5-1 lb. a.i. per acre. Use 4E
formulations at 1-1.5 pts. per acre for snap beans, lima beans,
and peas, or up to 2 pts. per acre for dry beans. Use 10G
formulations at 5-7.5 lbs. per acre for snap beans, lima beans,
and peas, or up to 10 lbs. per acre for dry beans. Broadcast
and incorporate 1-2 inches before seeding. Use low rate on
coarse soils with less than 2% organic matter. Not effective
on muck or high organic matter soils REI: 12-hour. HRAC
03.
Mint - Horticulture
Major update by Ben Phillips, Liz Maynard - Oct 2020
Reviewed by Liz Maynard - Aug 2021
Crop Description
Mints are a group of perennial herbs that are commercially
important as sources of essential oils obtained by distillation
of their hay. The discussion in this section refers to
production for essential oils. They are also commonly grown
as a leaf herb; see the leafy vegetable section for common
production practices for that product. The most common
cultivated types are peppermint and spearmint.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): All peppermints are a
hybrid of two other species, watermint (M. aquatica) and
native spearment (M. spicata). The varieties include Black
Mitcham, Murray Mitcham, Robert's Mitcham, and Todd's
Mitcham. The latter three varieties are more resistant to
verticillium wilt.
Spearmint: Scotch Spearmint (M. cardiaca) and Native
Spearmint (M. spicata). These two species of spearmints have
distinctly different oils.
Because verticillium wilt disease is an important problem
even with the more resistant varieties, growers should always
use disease-free planting stock. Certified and disease-free
stocks are available.
Planting and Spacing
Mints are grown from 3- to 4-inch long dormant runners dug
from existing fields in the late fall or spring. They spend their
first year as a row crop before spreading through runners. The
following years are spent as a solid stand or meadow crop.
Careful fall plowing of established stands is important for
both winter protection and for reducing the incidence of mint
rust and other foliar diseases. " Squirelly " mint, which occurs
primarily on peppermint, is caused by the mint bud mite,
Tarsonemus pipermenthae. Although mints are perennials,
212
older stands may show serious build-ups of disease, insect,
and weed problems and should be rotated out every 3 to 4
years.
Fertilizing
pH: Maintain a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
New plantings: Before planting new stolons, apply 40
pounds N per acre, 0 to 100 pounds P2O5 per acre, and 0 to
400 pounds K2O per acre based on soil test results and
recommendations from your state. Broadcast the fertilizer and
plow it under when preparing the land for the planting
furrows.
Topdress with 40 pounds N per acre on muck soils, or 80
pounds N per acre for mineral soils in early June.
Established plantings: Each year before emergence,
broadcast or drill in 40 to 60 pounds N per acre, 0 to 50
pounds P2O5 per acre and 0 to 150 pounds K2O per acre if a
soil test recommends it.
Topdress with 60 to 90 pounds N per acre after canopy
closure. The total amount of N from fertilizer should be 120
to 150 pounds N per acre.
Irrigation significantly increases oil yields on both muck and
mineral soils, even in seasons with normal rainfall.
Harvesting
For oil production, maximum yield and quality is reached
when 10% of peppermint is in full bloom, or 100% of
spearmint is in full bloom. Cut, windrow, and allow to
partially dry for 24 to 36 hours before collecting for
distillation. The machines for this are similar to hay
machines, but the collection into distillation tubs requires a
specialized procedure and equipment.
Mint - Diseases
Reviewed by Dan Egel - Sept 2021
Recommended Controls
Leaf Spot of Mint - Septoria Fungus
Pesticide
chlorothalonil products (chlorothalonil) | Indiana only.
Several formulations of chlorothalonil (Bravo, Echo, Equus)
are labeled at various rates. See product labels. REI: 12-hour.
PHI: 80-day. FRAC M05.
Midwest Veg Guide 2022
Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022
