Zone 4 · Herbs Growing Guide

When to Plant Mint
in Zone 4

Incredibly vigorous — grows in a container or it will take over your garden. Plant it in a buried pot or raised bed with barriers. Perennial in most zones. Harvest before flowering for best flavour.

Plant outdoors
May 1 – May 20
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~May 1
Days to harvest
90–120 days
Difficulty
Easy
Plant now — Zone 4
Harvest window: Jun – Oct

Planting Calendar

In Zone 4, Mint should be planted outdoors May 1 – May 20, after the average last frost date of approximately May 1.

Very cold-hardy perennial. Plant from divisions or cuttings for fastest establishment.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Partial shade to full sun · 3–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
18–24 inches
Soil
Rich, moist, well-draining
Days to maturity
90–120 days
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
plant tip · Zone 4

Very cold-hardy perennial. Plant from divisions or cuttings for fastest establishment.

Feeding Schedule

How often
twice a season
Feed type
balanced (10-10-10)
Key timing
spring and midsummer

Vigorous grower that rarely needs much feeding. Two feeds a year is plenty. Grow in containers to prevent spreading.

Companion Planting for Mint

What you plant next to mint makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Brassicas
  • Peas
  • Tomatoes
Keep away from
  • Chamomile
  • Parsley

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Common questions

In Zone 4, direct sow mint outdoors May 1 – May 20 after your last frost date of approximately May 1. Very cold-hardy perennial. Plant from divisions or cuttings for fastest establishment.
Zone 4 has an average last spring frost of approximately May 1 and a first fall frost around Oct 1. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for mint include Brassicas, Peas, Tomatoes. Avoid planting near Chamomile, Parsley, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Mint typically takes 90–120 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 4. Expected harvest window: Jun – Oct.

Free app · iOS February 2028

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Mint in other zones
Crop Guides