How To Start A Tea Garden, Plus Some Easy-To-Grow Herbs To Start With

I always felt that there was something lacking in the tea bags I would buy from the store. They always seemed diluted and lacking in flavor. But then I learned that I don’t have to settle for heavily processed herbs that are shipped and packed tightly in little bags, I can grow my own.

But doesn’t growing your own tea garden require a lot of hard work? Actually, no. Even if it did, though, the rewards are well worth the effort. Imagine the fresh, vibrant flavors and aromas you’ll brew up with herbs that were not sprayed with pesticide during growth or stored on a grocery shelf for months.

The pleasure of planting, maintaining, and enjoying a herbal tea garden is indescribable. And fortunately these gardens are also quite easy to start. To learn how to grow herbs, just keep reading. Here are a few supplies you’ll need to begin your gardening adventures.

1.   A Place To Plant

The first thing you need is, of course, a place to plant your tea garden. If you have a yard, then deciding on a good spot may seem easy, but not so fast. There’s one crucial element you need to consider.

Tea plants need lots of warmth and sunlight, but they don’t need to bake all day, so pick a spot that gets sun as well as shade. If you don’t have a convenient spot, then buy some pots and turn those into your makeshift garden.

The best part about planting herbs in pots is you can move them around with the seasons. If it gets too cold in the winter where you live, you can relocate them to your porch or inside your house where they will be warmer. Whatever you plant your tea garden in, just make sure it drains well so that your herbs don’t drown.

2.   Healthy Acidic Soil

The type of soil you use is crucial to the health and vitality of your tea. Tea plants enjoy an acidic soil with a pH that ranges between 3.8 and 5.0. Research carefully and see what types of soil your local plant nursery or home improvement store has available to make sure you purchase the correct kind.

3.   A Source Of Water

When you set up your tea garden, whether it’s in a fixed bed, a pot, or a box, make sure there is a source of water available nearby. It can be a hose, a rain gutter, a sink, or a combination of all three. You should try to keep your soil feeling damp to the touch, so check it often so you don’t over or under water your plants.

4.   Herbs That Will Fit Your Plant Bed

Some herbs, like mint, tend to be small and grow extremely well in a pot or box. Others, like lavender, can rise to extraordinary heights and should be planted in a garden so that it doesn’t get choked and root-bound. Research your herbs carefully and choose the best place to plant them based on their size and growing habits.

Tips For Growing Herbs In Different Environments

If you live in a warm climate, then we have good news: your tea plants will thrive. They love cool to warm temperatures as long as they get plenty of water and some shade. Shade is important because, as we stated earlier, tea plants don’t like more than a few hours of direct sunlight per day.

For tea lovers in colder climates, consider constructing a greenhouse or only growing tea in the warmest months of the year. Tea can handle cool or even cold weather, but not long, harsh winters.

How To Grow Herbs By Season

Another point you should consider when you plant your garden is which herbs grow best in which season. Chamomile, for example, typically grows in the spring and is harvested in late summer or early fall. That’s why it makes such a wonderful autumnal tea, because that’s the time when it’s at its most flavorful.

Research the best time for growing and harvesting your favorite herbs so that you can make tea from the plant when it’s in its best form.

Top 3 Easy-To-Grow Herbs For Beginners

For beginning tea gardeners, here are 3 of the easiest herbs to grow, which fortunately make up some of the most powerful ingredients in our Tea and I blends.

1.   Chamomile

Chamomile is part of our Womb Ritual Blend, which helps strengthen the uterus and eases PMS symptoms. It has several healing and soothing properties and may be taken to help with a variety of conditions such as an upset stomach, diarrhea, and anxiety.

2.   Rose Hips

Rose hips are another essential ingredient in our Womb Ritual Tea. They provide pain soothing benefits that are crucial in helping with PMS cramps as well as immunity-boosting Vitamin C. They also grow in cold conditions.

3.   Lemongrass

Lemongrass appears in our Valerian Zzz’s blend and is used for insomnia, anxiety, and stress relief. It helps promote lower blood pressure and helps with exhaustion. It’s easy to grow, but be wary: it grows large, so be sure you have plenty of room.

While they provide enormous benefits for your health and wellbeing, tea gardens should not be a source of stress. Choose easy-to-grow herbs like the ones we mention above and start with a pot or small garden bed. Try to enjoy the act of tending a tea garden and watching your herbs’ progress. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t get a huge crop or some of your plants die at first. Be persistent, do your research, and soon you’ll be brewing your very own homegrown tea.

About Tea and I:  Tea and I is a wellness tea brand for tea lovers who want to feel their absolute best. Our tea is fortified with nothing but the finest all-natural herbs and ingredients, as it should be. Whether you want to feel healthier, be more energetic, or boost your immune system, we have a tea to fit your lifestyle. Add a cup of wellness to your daily routine so that you can be—and look like—a healthier, happier you.

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