Blog

When to Plant Mint in Eddy County, NM

Mint

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Eddy County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,690 feet, Eddy County receives approximately 11.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Mint will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mint successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Eddy County, NM (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Eddy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.3" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.5" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Eddy County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mint Planting Timeline — Eddy County, NM

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 – Aug 25

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Eddy County

Growing Tips for Eddy County

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Eddy County, NM?

Eddy County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eddy County, NM?

Eddy County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Eddy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Eddy County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Eddy County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.