Garden
Learn How to Grow Tea in Your Garden
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own tea garden right in your backyard If youre a tea lover like I am then the answer to that question is probably yes Well youll be thrilled to hear that growing your tea plants Camellia sinensis is not only a fun way to dive deeper into your gardening hobby but also gives you the unique opportunity to craft your very own tea blends from scratch So youll know exactly what it is that youre drinking each morning Get your gardening tools ready heres everything you need to know about how to grow tea in your garden
Understanding Tea Plants
Of course lets first explain what tea really is Even though there are plenty of different tea variations from chamomile and ginger to hibiscus tea theres just one OG Tea one of the most beloved drinks globally comes from the Camellia sinensis plant There are two primary varieties of this plant each suited to different climate conditions and producing distinct types of tea
Camellia sinensis sinensis This variety is ideal for cooler climates found in regions like China and Japan It grows slowly and produces leaves that are favored for making green and white teas This is what most of us are consuming when drinking our good old green tea variations
Camellia sinensis assamica Native to the warmer climates of Assam in India this variety grows larger leaves and is typically used to produce strong black teas Personally I am a huge fan of black tea Even though the taste is a bit stronger and more bitter a little bit of oat milk and sweetener make it taste better than a traditional latte
So now you know what the main difference is between our two most common tea plants And the best part These plants can live and produce leaves for tea for over a century if properly cared for making them a great investment in your garden Imagine just how much money and trips to the grocery store you could save
Growing Tea Plants
Now that you know what types of tea plants you could possibly grow its time to start planting Choosing the right location in your garden is crucial for the health and productivity of your tea plants
Sunlight
Tea plants thrive in areas with partial shade or filtered sunlight Too much direct sun can stress the plant while too little can hinder its growth So you will have to do some brainstorming to decide which corner of your garden would work best for your little tea plant family
Soil
These plants prefer well drained sandy loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH 45 65 Of course you can always modify your garden soil by incorporating organic matter like compost and sphagnum peat moss to enhance its structure and acidity
Spacing
When planting your fabulous little tea plants allow 3 4 feet between each plant This spacing gives each plant enough room to grow and ensures adequate air circulation which helps prevent fungal diseases They are very particular about this so if you want your tea plants to truly thrive dont overcrowd them
Planting and Care
The best time to plant tea is in the spring when the threat of frost has passed or in the fall which allows the plants to establish roots without the stress of high summer temperatures Again frost is a huge issue when it comes to baby tea plants So if you live in a colder area youll have to protect your little buddies the best you can
Watering
Tea plants require consistent moisture especially in the first few years during establishment Water deeply at least once a week more during hot dry periods If you have a watering device more power to you Your tea plants will certainly love it
Mulching
Mulching can be such a complicated topic when it comes to gardening But tea plants are pretty low maintenance Simply apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants This will help them retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Pruning
Pruning is essential not only to shape the plant but also to promote new growth which is vital for tea production In the first year focus on removing any dead or damaged wood As the plant matures you can start shaping it to encourage bushier growth
How To Harvest and Process Tea Leaves
Now that you know everything that there is to know about planting and caring for tea plants its time to think about harvesting Your fabulous little tea plants will typically be ready for their first light harvest three years after planting I know thats a long time However it will be SO worth it
The best time to harvest is in the early spring when the plants produce new shoots This period is known as the first flush and is known for its high quality leaves That means that you have a premium tea blend from your own garden And no store bought tea bag could ever top that Now lets take a closer look at what harvesting looks like
Harvest Method
The harvest method for tea plants couldnt be any simpler Gently pluck the top two leaves and the bud from each shoot These young leaves contain the highest concentration of flavors
Now that you have your cute little fresh leaves ready its time to turn them into tea To do this youll need to process them through several stages depending on the type of tea you wish to make
1 Withering Spread the leaves out on a flat surface in a cool dry place to reduce their moisture content
2 Rolling This step breaks the leaves cell walls releasing essential oils that contribute to the teas flavor You can roll the leaves by hand or use a kitchen roller
3 Oxidizing Also known as fermentation this step is crucial for making black and oolong teas Spread the rolled leaves out and expose them to air at a controlled temperature and humidity until they darken Dont overdo it as that can destroy the flavor of the tea
4 Drying Dry the oxidized leaves to stop the oxidation process and lock in the flavor This can be done in a low temperature oven or a food dehydrator whatever works for you
Proper Storage of Homegrown Tea
Now that your tea leaves are ready its time to store it so that you can enjoy it for a long time But doing it the right way is crucial when it comes to maintaining the quality and freshness of your homegrown tea So whats the best way to do that Here are some of our guidelines
1 Cool Dark Place This one is pretty obvious However its still worth noting that you have to store your dried tea leaves in a cool dark place away from sunlight moisture and any strong odors that can alter the flavor of the tea
2 Airtight Containers Make sure you are always using airtight containers to prevent the tea from absorbing moisture from the air which can lead to mold growth
3 Glass or Tin Containers Also glass or tin containers are better than plastic when it comes to preserving tea They are better at protecting the tea from light and odors and make it taste fresher and more pleasant for a longer time
Health Benefits of Growing and Drinking Your Own Tea
Okay I know what some of you might be thinking so much work and for what To only drink a couple of cups of tea However the benefits are much greater than that There are actually numerous health benefits associated with both the cultivation and consumption of homegrown tea So lets go over some of the most important ones
Antioxidants
Tea is rich in antioxidants which help combat free radicals in the body potentially reducing damage caused by aging and pollution And homegrown tea takes these benefits even a little bit further because you know exactly where and how youve grown it Its your job to protect your little tea plants from any environmental stressors and they will protect you once its their turn
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Weve already talked numerous times about the benefits of gardening itself This is more than just a hobby its a relaxing activity that can help reduce stress and anxiety Pair that with the act of drinking homegrown tea in your garden and youll end up with reduced stress improved mood and a better sense of gratitude
Heart Health
Regular tea consumption has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease thanks to its antioxidant properties and its ability to improve cholesterol levels However the level of physical activity that we get during gardening is also a great way to boost the health of your heart
Weight Management
Last but not least lets talk about weight management Some studies suggest that the compounds in green tea can enhance the bodys ability to burn fat Again pair this with the act of gardening and youve unlocked the secret to low maintenance weight management
