Herbal teas, also known as herbal infusions, are gaining popularity among Fresno area gardeners due to the region’s favorable climate. Local residents can cultivate a variety of flowers, roots, leaves, and certain fruits for use in making sugar-free and cost-effective beverages.
Andrea Salzman, a UC Master Gardener from Contra Costa County, shared her experience of growing an herbal tea garden with her daughter. She emphasized the importance of soil quality for successful gardening. “Well-draining loamy soil, amended with compost for the slow release of nutrients, provides the best start for a tea garden,” Salzman explained. For container gardening, she recommended using a mix containing compost, vermiculite, and perlite to ensure adequate moisture and drainage.
Salzman also highlighted the need for an irrigation plan that matches each plant’s water requirements. After harvesting herbs, she advised washing them thoroughly before drying by hanging or using dehydrators set between 90 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Dried herbs should be stored in airtight containers such as jars or tins.
During an online webinar, Salzman listed ten plants suitable for California herbal tea gardens:
– Tulsi basil (Holy basil) is valued for its sweet flavor and traditional medicinal uses.
– Chamomile is popular for its stress-reducing properties but requires protection from intense afternoon sun during Fresno summers.
– Calendula officinalis offers tangy petals used in teas and salads.
– Lemon balm spreads easily and has a lemon scent; it grows well in pots.
– Lavender angustifolia varieties are recommended for culinary use due to their milder oil content.
– Mint comes in many flavors and is often used as a digestive aid.
– Rose petals and rosehips can be used fresh or dried; rose-scented geraniums offer an alternative aroma.
– Butterfly pea produces blue infusions that turn purple with lemon juice.
– Citrus rinds add flavor and antioxidants when blended into teas.
– True tea (Camelia senesis), while not widely grown commercially in Central California, can thrive locally.
The UC Kearney Research and Extension Center will host California Tea Day on March 19 from 8 a.m. to noon for those interested in commercial tea cultivation.
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