Growing an herbal tea garden offers a cost-effective and self-sufficient approach to enjoying your favorite brews while avoiding potential additives found in commercial teas. With a wide range of herbs and flowers to choose from, you can customize your tea selection to suit your taste preferences, health goals, or simply to explore new flavors.
By cultivating your own herbal tea garden, you’ll not only save money on purchasing tea bags but also reap the rewards of fresh, nutritious, and delicious teas. Whether you prefer to dry your harvest for later use or savor each cup as a freshly picked delight, growing your own tea is an enjoyable, accessible, and beneficial hobby.
Herb Garden vs. Tea Garden
While the terms ‘herb garden’ and ‘herbal tea garden’ are often used interchangeably, there’s actually a distinct difference between the two. The key lies in the types of plants you’re cultivating. For instance, some herbs are perfect for cooking, but not so much for brewing into a cup of tea. Rosemary is a prime example – it pairs wonderfully with leg of lamb, but its overpowering and acidic flavor makes it less than ideal for a soothing cup of herbal tea.
Although some people do enjoy rosemary tea, it’s not commonly found on store shelves for good reason.
In contrast, an herbal tea garden can incorporate flowers that aren’t technically herbs themselves, but add delightful flavors to your tea blends. These floral additions also bring a pop of color to the garden, and if you’re lucky enough to have bees buzzing around, they’ll even infuse your honey with a sweet, floral flavor.
Starting Your Tea Garden
While personal preference plays a significant role in separating my tea garden from other gardens, it’s entirely feasible to dedicate a section of your existing garden to this endeavor. Alternatively, you can commit an entire area to cultivating your herbal tea garden. Notably, many tea herbs thrive in pots, allowing apartment dwellers or those with limited outdoor space to still participate.
This flexibility ensures that anyone can create their own tea oasis, regardless of the size of their available green space.
Soil
To cultivate a thriving tea garden, several key factors come into play. At the foundation is the type of soil you’re working with. Loamy, well-draining soil with a pH range of 5 to 7 is ideal for healthy tea plants. To prepare your soil for planting, incorporate well-rotted organic matter and a high-quality fertilizer about a week prior to initial planting. This will give your tea plants the nutrients they need to establish strong roots and grow robustly.
Placement
When it comes to placing your herb plants, think about the amount of sunlight they require. While most herbs thrive in full sun, you do have some flexibility when it comes to their positioning. You can cultivate a tea garden indoors by using containers or pots, on your patio with a mix of containers and soil, or incorporate them into your existing garden beds.
To ensure easy harvesting, place the taller plants towards the back and the shorter ones towards the front, allowing for a straightforward and convenient picking experience.
Container Growing
When it comes to creating an herbal tea garden in containers, terracotta or stone pots are my go-to choice. I steer clear of plastic because even if it’s a minor consideration, I believe that any chemical exposure can negatively impact the overall health and flavor of my herbal teas. A thoughtful approach to container gardening is essential here.
To get started, you’ll need a high-quality potting mix specifically designed for potted plants, as well as an organic or natural fertilizer tailored to the needs of your containers. Additionally, it’s crucial to incorporate water-retaining materials that are free from chemicals and artificial additives, allowing you to maintain optimal moisture levels in your container garden.
Essential Plants for Your Tea Garden
When it comes to creating an herbal tea garden, one of the most exciting aspects is selecting the perfect plants for your blend. While personal preference plays a significant role in the decision-making process, some plants stand out as must-haves. In my opinion, these include
Lavender
Indulging in a warm cup of lavender herbal tea can be a truly soothing experience, especially as a pre-sleep ritual. The subtle floral notes and calming mint-like flavor combine to create a perfect blend for unwinding before bed. Moreover, the benefits of lavender extend beyond its delightful taste, as it has been shown to possess several valuable properties, including reducing inflammation, promoting relaxation to help with sleep, and even supporting immunity.
Sage
When it comes to my go-to tea, Sage is the clear winner. To brew the perfect cup, I like to use five or six leaves, steep them in a cup of hot water, and then add a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of honey for added flavor. But what really sets Sage apart is its impressive range of health benefits. For starters, it’s renowned for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it a great natural remedy for oral health issues.
Beyond that, Sage has been shown to ease menopausal symptoms, help regulate blood sugar levels, and even have a positive impact on bad cholesterol – all of which make it an incredibly valuable addition to my daily tea routine.
Mint
Mint has been a beloved tea globally, boasting a distinctive sweet and menthol flavor profile that lends itself to solo consumption or harmonious blends with other teas. Its multifaceted benefits include alleviating indigestion, easing pain associated with breastfeeding, calming nausea, reducing stress levels, and promoting overall skin and hair health. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when cultivating mint, as it has a tendency to spread rapidly once established in the ground.
To prevent unwanted proliferation, I recommend planting mint in a pot that can be buried in the garden, effectively containing its roots and preventing invasive growth.
Chamomile
Chamomile’s charming appearance, with its daisy-like blooms, adds a touch of elegance to any garden. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, this herb has a wealth of benefits. Its flowers can be used to create a soothing tea that combines the subtle flavors of grass and apple, sweetened by a drizzle of honey. When it comes to growing chamomile, be prepared to provide ample space for its wide-reaching stems to grow tall.
As it thrives in full sun, it’s essential to ensure it receives sufficient water during the summer months. Beyond its culinary uses, chamomile has been shown to have numerous medicinal benefits. It can help alleviate symptoms such as stomach cramps, migraine pain, and stomach ulcers, while also boosting the immune system and promoting restful sleep.
Thyme
When using thyme in herbal remedies, I often opt for a more subtle approach by combining it with other herbs in equal parts, using about half a teaspoon of the mixture. This compact plant is well-suited to container gardens, where its small size and low maintenance requirements make it an attractive addition. Both the leaves and flowers can be used to brew a soothing tea, offering a natural remedy for soothing sore throats.
Additionally, thyme’s antibacterial properties make it a valuable asset in combating infections.
Borage
While many gardeners and cooks may not give borage the recognition it deserves, this herb has a special place in my heart – or should I say, in my beehive. The beautiful blue flowers and hairy leaves with a subtle cucumber flavor have won over my bees, and I’ve found myself incorporating both into my tea blends. Not only does borage boast impressive nutritional credentials, including high levels of omega 6, vitamins A and C, but it also has a rich history as a medicinal herb.
In medieval times, knights were given borage to boost their courage – though I’m not sure if it’s as effective in modern times! That being said, there is evidence to suggest that borage can provide relief from cold symptoms, help alleviate anxiety, and even soothe stomach issues.
Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena, a statuesque perennial that can reach heights of up to six feet, boasts a distinctive lemony aroma that becomes even more pronounced when the leaves are crushed. One of its most appealing qualities is its ability to infuse herbal teas with a subtle yet refreshing citrus flavor, making it an excellent alternative to traditional lemon juice.
Beyond its culinary applications, lemon verbena has been shown to have several health benefits, including helping to suppress appetite and support weight management, reducing inflammation and alleviating discomfort associated with digestive issues, as well as easing the discomfort of sore muscles.
Other Plants for Tea Gardens
When cultivating a diverse herbal tea garden, begin by selecting a few of your favorite herbs and flowers to grow. This will allow you to test the waters, so to speak, and see which plants become staples in your routine. Over time, as you experiment with different brews and find your go-to favorites, you can gradually add more varieties to your garden. Consider starting with a mix of the following plants: ginger, jasmine, stevia, lemon grass, St.
John’s wort, calendula, echinacea, rose, lemon balm, and anise hyssop.
Tending Your Tea Garden
In an herbal tea garden, grouping plants with similar preferences is crucial to avoid issues. For instance, placing a moisture-loving plant next to one that thrives in dry soil can lead to problems.
When the weather is still chilly, start sowing herb seeds indoors using high-quality seed raising mix and keep it consistently moist. Once nighttime temperatures rise above 55°F and the risk of frost has passed, transfer the seedlings outside to their final destination.
Raising herbs from seed can be a finicky process, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and plant more seeds than you’ll need. If you end up with an abundance of successful germinations, consider sharing some with friends or selling them.
Alternatively, for faster and more reliable results, consider purchasing seedlings from a local nursery or gardening store.
Watering
To ensure optimal growth and prevent issues like woody stems or premature flowering, it’s essential to strike the right balance of water for your herb plants. In general, I maintain a consistent moisture level for mint family members like lemon balm and peppermint, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. For Mediterranean herbs, such as oregano and thyme, I allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions.
However, this approach may vary depending on your local climate. If you’re gardening in a hot and arid region, it’s crucial to maintain a consistently moist environment to prevent herbs from becoming woody or producing seeds prematurely.
Fertilizer
To create an thriving tea garden, start by incorporating well-rotted organic matter into the soil. This natural amendment will provide the necessary nutrients for your herbs and flowers to flourish throughout the growing season. In order to maintain this lushness, a single application of a high-quality liquid fertilizer in the summer is sufficient. However, potted plants may require more frequent and concentrated feeding to support their growth.
Pests and Diseases
While it’s inevitable that your tea garden will encounter pest issues, there are effective ways to manage them without compromising your goal of growing healthy, pesticide-free tea plants. As someone who prioritizes the integrity of their brews, I take a holistic approach to pest control by removing any infected plant parts and maintaining adequate spacing between plants to prevent disease spread.
If needed, a gentle application of neem oil can provide an additional layer of defense without disrupting the delicate balance of your garden ecosystem.
Harvesting Your Tea
When it comes to harvesting tea leaves, timing is crucial. To ensure the best flavor and aroma, collect your tea leaves in the morning to prevent wilting and minimize bitterness. This simple step can make a significant difference in the final product, whether you’re working with dried or fresh leaves.
Fresh
While some may opt for pre-packaged tea bags, I find joy in crafting my own custom blends. The process begins by selecting a few leaves of various plants and adding them to a cup with boiling water. A squeeze of lemon and drizzle of honey are the perfect accompaniments, allowing me to fully appreciate the nuances of the brewing process as it steeps for five to ten minutes.
As I savor each sip, I delight in experimenting with unique mixtures and strengths, or exploring the recommended proportions for specific herbs, which only adds to the excitement and discovery that comes with being a tea connoisseur.
Dried
Not only does harvesting allow you to enjoy your herbs fresh, but you can also dry them to preserve their flavor and aroma for use year-round. By drying your herbs, you’ll be able to savor the intense flavors they have to offer, even when your plants are dormant during the winter months.
Putting It Together
While store-bought herbal teas are readily available, cultivating your own at home can be a truly rewarding experience. Not only is it cost-effective, but the satisfaction of harvesting and brewing your own herbs is unparalleled. We’d love to hear about your personal experiences with growing herbal teas in your garden, as well as any innovative tea blends you’ve created along the way. Please feel free to share your stories and recipes with us!
