Grow Your Own Quaint Herbal Tea Garden

Sipped for simple pleasure in the middle of a hectic afternoon or used as a soothing anecdote, tea is an indulgence enjoyed by most every country.

With so many varieties on the market it is a fun pastime to experiment with new flavors, but becomes even more satisfying when you walk into your very own garden and snip off the afternoon tea from the plants that you have carefully nurtured.

Perfect Tea Garden Plants:

Chamomile The small, white daisies of this annual are a popular tea herb, said to possess great relaxing qualities. Chamomile is easy to grow in any climate and takes very little to get them started.

Lemon Balm The lemon scented leaves of this perennial are also said to have a calming influence while the scent of lemon helps to uplift the mood. Lemon balm is easy to grow and will tolerate unfavorable conditions as long as the seedlings are allowed to germinate in the light.

Peppermint The crisp, refreshing leaves of this perennial have been long used to settle upset stomachs and are a popular tea flavoring. Peppermint practically grows itself with little encouragement, indoors or out in full or partial sun. True mint plants come from cuttings and division and not from seeds.

Rosemary The fragrant, spiky leaves of this perennial have long been used as a culinary herb and are said to possess a stimulating quality. Rosemary requires more care than some of the other herbs, needing a warm climate (65*and above). The plants will not survive a frost. For colder climates bring the plants indoors in the colder weather.

Catnip The minty green leaves of this perennial are said to possess relaxing properties and have been used to calm upset stomachs. Like its cousins in the mint family this plant is easy to grow in most conditions.

Steeping Fresh Herbal Tea

Place the leaves in a stainless-steel infuser or bag that will allow the water to penetrate through while holding the leaves from escaping. Pour the steaming water over the herbs and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until the desired potency is reached.

For a stronger more concentrated tea, use a heat-safe container with a lid.  Pour the hot water over the herbs, secure the cover and let steep for 15 minutes.