Relaxing Herbal Tea Garden

It won’t be long until spring and now is a great time to start thinking about planting your own Herbal Tea Garden.

The herbs we are going to plant in this garden are Anise hyssop, Catnip, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Mint. These herbs make delicious beverage teas, and several of them contain mild sedative compounds.

First and most import of all you need to chose an appropriate spot for your new garden. Herbs grow best in full sun – that means four to six hours a day of direct sunlight during the growing season. However, if you live in the desert southwest or in the South you will find your herbs will be grateful for some partial afternoon shade.

In general, herbs need well-drained, moderately moist soil. If your soil has too much clay or too much sand, add compost to the soil. Use homemade compost if you have it, or buy bagged compost at a garden supply center.

Loosen the soil with a shovel. Usually digging up and turning over the soil to a depth of 12 inches is sufficient. Spread about 2 inches of compost over your bed and dig it into the top 8 inches of soil. Alternatively, you can plant your garden in raised beds, which should be filled with a mixture of topsoil and compost.

Next you will need to decide if you are going to purchase your herbs as plants or grow them from seeds. Some varieties are difficult to grow from seeds, particularly lavender (which we aren’t growing in this garden but just wanted to let you know). Others including mints are highly variable and their flavor can’t be guaranteed when growing from seeds. German chamomile though seems to grow best from seeds. To avoid the confusion you may decide to purchase all your plants and leave the seed issue to someone else.

Making a rough sketch of your garden is a good idea to decide to help you decide on plant placement and spacing. Read the tag that comes with your plant or the package (if you are using seeds) and determine where each plant will best fit into your garden. Place the tallest plants in the back unless your garden is accessible from all sides. In this garden the Anise Hyssop, Catnip and Mint all grow to about 3 feet tall. The Chamomile and Lemon Balm grow to about 2 feet tall.

When you are ready to plant, water your herbs before removing them from their containers. (As you can see, I prefer using plants instead of seeds.) Next move them to their designated spots. Try to avoid crowding them together, remember full grown plants take a lot more room and what looks to you now as lots of empty space will soon be filled up when you plants start to grow.

Make sure you mulch your plants as this helps to retain water, prevents weeds from growing and adds nutrients to the soil.

Pruning regularly helps promotes growth. Since Mint is very aggressive you may want to plant it in a 10-inch deep bottomless container sunk into your garden to keep it from spreading.

Once your plants are grown, you will want to reap the benefits of your labor by having some delicious tea.

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculym). The leaves and tiny lavender-blue flowers of anise hyssop small and taste of anise, but its square stems and opposite leaves tell you it belongs to the mint family. It is slow to emerge in spring but quickly grows to 3 three feet width. Its lavender-blue flowers and leaves are used in making tea. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of chopped leaves (either dried or fresh). Steep for five to ten minutes, strain out the leaves and flowers and sweeten with honey if desired.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is also a member of the mint family and has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Its heart-shaped leaves and lavender or white flowers have properties that can help relieve or prevent muscle spasms, increase perspiration and relieve flatulence. This tea will also ease menstrual and indigestion-related cramps. Unfortunately, it you have cats you may have difficulty in getting your share since the nepetalactoe isomers in catnip can cause intoxication in cats. If you do, however, manage to get some catnip for yourself, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried, chopped catnip leaves. Steep the tea for 5- 10 minutes, covering the cup so that the volatile oil doesn’t evaporate, then strain. You may want to sweeten the tea with a touch of honey. Because of it’s gentle action and soothing, calming properties, catnip tea is frequently recommended for infants and children but consult your physician first.

The type of chamomile we are going to use in this garden is also known as German Chamomile. Be sure to buy matricaria recutita as this variety contains the highest concentration of the essential oils responsible for giving chamomile its healing power. Chamomile tea can also be used in the bath to provide quick relief from skin inflammations, restlessness and insomnia. Add 1 qt. of chamomile tea to a bathtub full of warm water. For a single cup of tea, place 1 tsp. of chamomile flowers per cup of water in a teapot. Boil the water, then let it cool slightly (using boiling water will cause the various therapeutic compounds in chamomile to evaporate). For best results, steep the tea for less than 5 minutes.

Lemon-balm teas have multifaceted healing effects which have been known as far back as the eighth century. Emperor Charlemagne ordered lemon balm to be grown in every garden. It is known as the tonic that raises the spirits because the plant emits a fresh, lemony aroma when you rub it between your fingers. Pour a generous cup of freshly boiled water over 1-2 tsp of dried lemon-balm leaves and steep, covered for 10 minutes. Keep the leave covered to prevent most of the essential oils from escaping.

Be sure to cut your Lemon Balm plants close to the ground when they begin to bloom to stimulate another round of growth.

Mint comes in a variety of flavors, including spearmint, peppermint and apple mint. Mint also has many therapeutic benefits and can be used as a calming additive in the bath just like Chamomile. Because of its germicidal effect, peppermint is a good preventive remedy to use at the first sign of a sore throat. Make a fresh batch of tea, allow it to cool to lukewarm and gargle several times a day.

To make the tea pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of dried mint leaves. Steep for 10 minutes and if desired, sweeten with honey, brown sugar or maple syrup.

The herbs used in this garden are all easy to grow and are adaptable to wide range of climates.

Hope you all get as much enjoyment out of your new garden and the varieties of tea as I have gotten out of mine.