Tips for growing herbs for tea:
- Keep herbs growing just outside your kitchen door so you can make tea anytime you want it. Mint, lemon balm, and lemongrass are all easy-to-grow, versatile options.
- Harvest herbs in the morning, after dew has dried.
- Use herbs fresh, or dry and store them for later.
- To make tea, you'll need less of stronger-flavored herbs like lavender, mint, and basil. (And dried herbs are stronger than fresh.) But the basic method is the same for all.
- If using lemongrass, use the stems not the leaves, and crush or chop finely.
- For sun tea: Simply clip a cup or two of your favorite herb, and add to a two-quart glass jar filled with water. Let sit in the sun for a few hours to steep; the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor will be. Add honey/sugar if desired and serve over ice.
About Julie Chai, Associate Garden Editor
Julie Chai is the associate garden editor and test garden manager for Sunset magazine. She writes regularly about growing edibles, small-space gardening, outdoor decorating, and low maintenance landscapes. An avid do-it-yourselfer, she loves helping new gardeners get started.
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