Rainline Garden

When to plant mint in Ellensburg, WA

Plant young mint plants in Ellensburg Apr 15 – Jun 10.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Ellensburg's typical last spring frost is April 28. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Inland Northwest, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 15.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant young mint plants Apr 15 – Jun 10, One plant per pot, or 18 inches apart. Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot.
  3. Water regularly; mint likes moist soil. Cut it back hard in midsummer for a fresh flush of leaves.
  4. Harvest: Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.

Varieties that do well here

  • Spearmint
  • Peppermint
  • Mojito mint

Watch out for

Mint spreads underground and takes over beds. Grow it in a container.

Spreads aggressively by underground runners, so grow it in a pot or a bottomless bucket sunk in the ground.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Ellensburg, WA?

Typically April 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Ellensburg Bowers Field.

Is it too late to plant mint in Ellensburg?

The spring planting window runs through June 10. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can pick mint?

Pick lightly the first summer, then as much as you like. Snip stems just above a pair of leaves. Regular cutting keeps plants bushy.

Also plant in Ellensburg around the same time

Planting dates for mint in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Ellensburg · Mint in every city