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How To Grow (and make) Your Own Tea! |
8 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Green Living, How To | January 2, 2007 | ||
When the world goes to hell, and you no longer have ample supplies of crappy Linton tea bags lying around (but you really don’t have those do you?), it will be refreshing to know that you’re not powerless. Granted, growing tea is not something out of the realm of thought (like growing your own shower Luffa), but did you ever really consider it? Maybe I’m alone, but a great article I found today has inspired me to grow tea leaves, as well as a shower luffa for the coming season. Perhaps you’ll had them to your list as well?
According to the author, it’s really not that difficult. However, one hindrance to interested readers might be the Zone 8 region (mid-west to southern USA) requirement for outdoor success. For people living above this zone, it’s worth giving it a shot indoors or in a greenhouse. From the article,
” The Camellia sinensis plant is a small shrub about 1-2 meters in height, though it will grow taller if you don’t prune it. In the fall, your tea shrub will flower with small white blossoms that have a delightful scent. These plants are often grown as ornamentals. For planting, Camellia sinensis likes well-drained and sandy soil that is on the acidic side. If you are going to grow your tea in a container, add some sphagnum moss to the potting mix. You’ll need some patience, too. Your plant should be around 3 years old before you start harvesting leaves.”
It’s interesting to note that from this one plant, you can make Green, Oolong, or Black tea. For some reason, I thought they were all from different types of tea plants. Head on over to the site for the full instructions. The author recommends your local nursery or the site, SeedRack, for the correct seeds. Good luck and happy brewing!
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Jessica Gregory said,
Along these lines, I am trying to grow my own ,a href=”http://bwlchyrhyd.blogspot.com/2006/07/pedwaredd-mis-gorffennaf-hapus.html”>coffee! (In a greenhouse, in Zone 8…)
Christine Parks said,
We have been growing and selling tea for many years. Apparently it grows fine in zone 7, and is probably ok even to zone 6B. We’d love to hear from people who are growing it anywhere, including indoors, and trying to make their own tea. I love making tea – it smells delicious as it dries. It tastes alot better than most of what you can buy in the stores, too.
e-mail me at teagardens1@bellsouth.net
charles said,
I have a question. I live in the southeast area and have plenty of land to try to grow tea. The soil is not sandy but more clay. Would the clay soil be a bad idea for planting the tea. I would like to plant about 8ac. If there is someone who has grown tea in this quantity I would like to here from you.
katie said,
I started making tea about a year ago. It us so much fun. if you have any dout’s don’t worry i have never had so much fun in my life.
katie said,
charles
you could grow tea there i think. I personally haven’t tried it it but i have a freind who does. I think you will be fine
elathia said,
Okay guys,
Is it really that easy to make my own tea. I thought it would be a grand idea to make my own tea. where do i start……..
Joseph Stubbs said,
How does it grow indoors? I live in Florida and it is very hot, plus I live near the beach. Would the salt from the beach hurt the plant? What about the heavy coastal winds?
Kendra said,
I just found this great post after posting my own search about learning to grow tea here: http://sizetoosmall.typepad.com/sizetoosmall/2009/09/how-to-grow-tea-at-home-1.html
I’m loving looking through all your archives!
-Kendra