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A Cup a Day
Grow Your Own Tea Garden
By Kathleen Hennessy
If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.
– Japanese proverb
What could be better than a hot cup of tea on a cold day or a frosty glass of iced tea when it's hot? How about growing your own tea! Creating an herbal tea garden can be a fun, creative addition to your plantings. In fact, the trend is on the rise. "Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world," says Mindy Kelly of Mrs. Kelly's Tea in Minneapolis. "Herbal Tea is especially popular. I have customers grow their own, and others who grow herbs to add flavor to other types of teas such Black tea or Oolong."
Growing tea herbs isn't really all that new. Ancient Egyptian writings tell us it's been common for more than 5,000 years. In addition to fresh flavors, herbs were thought to provide medicinal benefits and even promote longevity.
Herbs are very easy plants to grow. Most prefer a good sunny spot. Try them in container gardens or right in the ground, as long as you pick an area that drains well.
Once you've created your garden, it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. For most teas, choose a handful of fresh or about a teaspoon of dried herbs. Steep using hot, but not boiling, water. "Pick young, tender leaves of the plant; they have the best flavor," says Bob Reidmuller, resident horticulturist at VIVA Gardens. "Make sure to drain the tea of any plant particles prior to drinking."