How to Grow Your Own Herbal Tea Garden
Do you enjoy a soothing cup herbal tea? Why not grow your own? Learn how to grow your own herbal tea garden in this video by P. Allen Smith:
It’s easy to grow your own herbs, whether in containers or raised beds, and there are so many aromatic and flavorful varieties to choose from:
- For a refreshing and uplifting flavor, go with peppermint or spearmint, or a mint with a twist like chocolate mint or sweet mint. Mints help sooth an upset stomach.
- If you’re looking for a citrus flavor without growing your own fruit trees, try lemon verbena or lemon thyme. Both brighten and complement many other flavors. Lemon grass makes a dramatic statement in an herb garden.
- For calming aromatic teas that help reduce stress and promote relaxation, try lavender or rosemary.
- Stevia works great as a natural sweetener.
Here are some growing tips:
- Locate your tea garden close to your kitchen, either in containers, raised beds, or in the ground.
- Have a planting plan. Knowing which herbs you’re going to grow and the dimensions of your space can save a lot of time and resources at the garden center. If you don’t know where to start, visit bonnieplants.com to get ideas for your herb garden.
- Mint can grow wild. Keep it from overspreading by planting it in containers and then planting the containers in the garden bed.
Brewed tea can be made from dried or fresh herbs. Dried herbs will last longer and are a little more potent. To dry your herbs, bundle your harvest on the stem with twine and hang it upside down to dry out of direct sunlight. If making tea from dried herbs, start with 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water; if using fresh herbs, triple that amount. Start with a water temperature of 200 F and steep for 4-5 minutes, and experiment to suit your taste.
