Who doesn’t love a delicious cuppa? It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy a cup of classic black tea or prefer a fruity tisane served on ice, tea is appreciated universally! Growing your own tea is so much easier than you think and will make that morning sip extra special.
Check out our tips on how to grow your own tea below, and find out the answers to questions like, ‘How long does it take to grow tea,’ and ‘What types of tea can I grow in my garden?’.
How long does it take to grow tea?
Don’t get the kettle boiling just yet; growing your own tea will take a little time - but it is so, so worth it! The time taken to grow tea will differ depending on what type of tea you prefer, a lovely herbal tea can take as little as 6 to 8 weeks, in the case of peppermint! But if you want to grow a more traditional black tea, you may be looking at closer to a year before you can harvest the young leaves. No matter which varieties you choose to grow, relaxing into your favourite homegrown cuppa will be so rewarding.
Edge with a hedge
Let’s get started and work our way in, shall we? Find a sheltered corner in your flower gardenand use a hedge to create an outdoor ‘’tea room’’. This will frame the rest of your plants and create a cosier space. Camellia Sinensis is a variety of Camellia that makes an attractive evergreen hedge.
The leaves of this plant are commercially used in the production of Black Tea, making it a fitting border for your tea garden. Left to flower, these plants produce beautiful, fragrant white blooms. Before planting stem for ease of maintenance.
Scatter with shrubs
Scatter some herb seeds in front of your hedge that can be dried and steeped for herbal teas. Chamomile is an attractive plant that is often used to create a calming tea. Lemongrass is another great option and thrives in drier soils. To save on costs, grow these from seed inside biodegradablepots like Jiffy.
Simply place some good quality seed-raising mix into a Jiffy pot and lightly firm the surface. Water the soil until soaked through, and press the seeds on top. Sprinkle some fine-grade vermiculite on top and lightly spray with water until moist. Keep the pots moist and place them in a warm, sunny area or inside a mini greenhouse until they germinate. Once your seedlings are established, plant them into a pot filled with some well-draining soil with a slow-release fertiliser.
Pop in some pots
Add some coloured ceramic pots in front of your shrub area to create a focal point. Mint is best grown inside pots due to its spreading habit. Stevia is also perfect as a pot plant and can be used to sweeten your teas.
Mint and Stevia seeds are quite small so it is important to take care when germinating. Use a light seed-raising mix and firm the surface. Sprinkle your seeds on top and very lightly cover with a fine grade of vermiculite. Place inside a mini greenhouse in a sunny location and ensure the surface is kept moist. Once plants are 5cm or taller, transplant them into their final pot.
Furnish and flourish
To finish off your tea garden, add in some outdoor furnishings. For a cosy feel, use items like hammocks and hanging chairs against the backdrop of your hedge. Some chic outdoor chairs, colourful cushions and a table will also make the perfect spot for you to enjoy your tea in relaxed comfort.
How to grow tea and take care of your shrubs
Be sure to keep some Mr Fothergill’s Microsnips handy in your tea garden so you can harvest as needed. Many herbal teas, such as peppermint, lemon balm, and lemongrass, can be brewed using fresh leaf cuttings from your plants. Other plants you may wish to dry first in a dehydrator, such as chamomile flowers and camellia sinensis leaves. They can be stored in decorative jars for later and make beautiful homemade gifts, too.
How to brew the perfect cuppa
To get the best flavour from your tea, it is important to use the correct temperature of water and brew it for the optimal amount of time. Here are our recommendations:
- Black Tea: 100°C, 3-5 minutes
- Herbal Tea: 85 - 100°C, 4-7 minutes
- Green Tea: 70 - 85°C, 1 - 3 minutes
Take a look at Mr Fothergill’s selection of seeds today and choose from four flavours - Bergamot, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Peppermint.
Shop seeds at Mr Fothergill’s today
What are you waiting for? Your growing journey starts right here at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds! Shop our tea and herbs today, or our handy grow your own tea kits, and let us help get your tea garden going.
If you have any further questions about how to grow tea or have curiosities about any of our other products, don’t hesitate to contact us or take a deeper dive into our gardening blog!
We’re proud to sell amazing, award-winning brands like RHS Seeds and Johnsons Seeds, as well as Darlac garden tools, so you know you’re getting quality when you shop our range.
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