Garden Tea:

An Herb Garden with a Concentration on Tea

by Nick Rogers

A tall glass of iced tea, a sprig of fresh mint from the garden... is there anything more refreshing on a hot summer day? Or perhaps a steaming infusion with chamomile or mint is more your cup of tea? A "tea" garden can provide you with a steady supply of your favorite herbs; tea gardens are fun and practical, and they are surprisingly easy to grow.

Most tea herbs are quite happy in moderate sun, so pick a spot which receives about 6 hours of full sun every day. If you grow your tea herbs directly in the ground as opposed to having them in a raised bed or in an herb window-box, make note of the fact that many of these herbs spread voraciously, choking out other plants nearby. You can prevent this by sinking bottomless buckets or baskets into the ground and plant the herb inside within the borders to help control the roots. Of course, if you choose to garden inside or in containers, overgrowth won’t be a problem at all.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a hardy, drought-resistant perennial which grows so readily that it is actually considered a pest plant in some parts of the U.S. A relative of mint, the plant greatly resembles mint and has a hint of minty flavor to it. Like most tea herbs, it can be used either dried or fresh, although dried leaves pack a more intense flavor. The plant grows approximately 24 inches tall and must be pinched back and pruned often to keep it under control.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a pretty, lacy annual (though there is one variety that is a perennial) that grows about 2 feet high. It prefers partial shade over full sun, and sandy, dry soil. The tea is made from chamomile flowers instead of the leaves. Harvest regularly once the plants start to flower. Chamomile is dried by cutting stems back to new leaf growth and tying in loose bunches. Hang upside down in a dry, dark place until the leaves are crumbly. Or you can just lay the flower heads on drying screens in the oven or in the sun.

Catnip

No, it's not just crack for cats. Catnip has been used for medicinal teas for colds and stomach upsets since time immemorial. It's most often combined with other herbs like lemon balm and lemon grass, which are two particular favorites. The plant is a perennial that grows readily in dry, sandy conditions, but it can be coaxed along in nearly any sort of soil or light conditions. And here's an added bonus: catnip is a natural pest repellant, both in the garden and in dried form. To fully take advantage of its pest repellant properties, dry the leaves and place them in cloth pouches and tuck under baseboards or closets. Tea is made from dry or fresh leaves, combined with lemon balm, chamomile, or comfrey.

Mint

Ah, the simple joys of mint! So many varieties exist that you could easily plant a mint garden with no other plants at all. There is an estimated 6,000 varieties and this number continues to grow, as the plant cross-pollinates so easily. It’s also the most rapid spreader of all the herbs. One plant will easily take over an entire garden within two seasons if it’s not contained. Mint likes rich soil and light shade, but like any pest grower, it will grow in most conditions. Mint also makes a great house plant which is very easy to maintain.

Some favorite mint varieties for tea are:

• Peppermint is the most popular of all the mints, with its sharp, spicy, cooling tastes.
• Spearmint is the mint of mint juleps. Spearmint grows readily in any climate.
• Apple mint offers a hint of fruity flavor underlying the cool, fresh taste of mint.
• Chocolate mint is far better with dessert than as a tea. Crush the leaves and whirl in a blender with vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable treat.