What could be better than a hot cup of tea? What about teas or infusions from plants you grow in your own garden? Many UK gardeners grow herbaceous plants for this very reason.
Grow your own herb tea garden
Build a herb bed. The herb bed should be a small area of the yard or can be limited to a few containers. A herbal tea garden can fit in nicely as an outdoor area around your home or summer terrace. Herbs for this herb garden should be of different shapes and colors, have a wonderful smell and delicious taste.
Herbs should be in full sun and in well-drained soil. If you want to plant scented herbaceous crops in your yard or garden, create a round bed or flower bed by planting tall herbs in the middle surrounded by smaller varieties. Keep an eye on them to make sure they get enough water on hot summer days and be ready to cut at their peak.
A few tips for growing a scented tea garden
- Never use chemical pesticides, insecticides, or weed killers near plants that you plan to harvest for food or make infusions or decoctions;
- Do not remove too many leaves or flowers at once, so as not to shock the plants;
Most of these herbs grow well in pots, so try planting a few right in your kitchen or south-facing windowsill to make them easier to care for.
How to harvest herbaceous plants
Most fresh herbs reach their peak just before flowering. However, many have edible flowers that not only pair beautifully with tea, but also add their own notes. Harvesting should be done early in the morning, after the dew has dried, while the grass is still lush. Try not to tear or crush the leaves or stems until you are ready to use them.
