Mint is killer. 

It’s in my front flowerbeds—I know exactly where I planted it. 

But, it runs to new spots.  Months go by and you find it sprouting up a few feet away.  You can’t see it happening because the roots tunnel inches under the dirt, artfully hiding in the dark while consuming energy and nutrients from other plants.

This year, it was 10 feet away.  I didn’t plant it anywhere over there.  It still showed up.

If you don’t take out the root, sprouts begin to form between the initial planting and its new residence.  Little flags marking captured territory. 

Mint travels in every direction looking for new ground. 

Sometimes mint mixes with other herbs.  It’s cute at first—I love basil and mint in a salad.  But then the choice—do I rip up the entire basil plant to remove all of the mint?  That seems painful.  Should I just let the mint consume the basil?  That seems sad. 

If not removed, it would consume the whole bed.

One day I will root up all my sin. . . I mean mint. 

Until then I will just sell my house and move.  I told my wife we won’t plant mint at the new house.  She’s not convinced.  Unfortunately, I’m not either.