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Homemade Tea in a Pot

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-516 -- More Projects »
Gardening expert Marianne Binetti shows how to save money by growing tea infusions. She explains how to use old, mismatched cups and saucers to avoid aggressive growth with certain teas.

Herbal Tea Garden

Materials:

cedar planter box
potting soil
clay pot
peppermint
lemon verbena
lemon balm
chamomile
grapefruit mint
saucers for teacups
hooks
teacups
mint plant

Steps:


  1. A cedar planter box provides plenty of space for growing several herbs. Fill the cedar box around half-deep with potting soil, then invert another clay pot and place that directly in the center. This will hold the center teapot.
PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
PHOTO

Figure C
  • Fill in the surrounding space with peppermint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, chamomile and grapefruit mint (figure A).

  • Fill in the gaps with potting soil. Separate with saucers because these plants can be very aggressive (figure B).

  • Place hooks along the sides of the container from which to hang the teacups (figure C).

  • Add soil to the center teacup, then clip a mint plant just above a node and plant it inside. This will root.

  • Whenever a cup of herbal tea is desired, snip fresh leaves, drop them in a cup, then pour boiling water on top and allow to steep.
    • Resources
    Easy Answers for Great Gardens: 500 Tips, Techniques, and Outlandish Ideas
    by Marianne Binetti
    Sasquatch Books, 2000
    Order this title from Amazon.com.


    Shortcuts for Accenting Your Garden: Over 500 Easy and Inexpensive Tips
    by Marianne Binetti
    Storey Books, 1993
    Order this title from Amazon.com.


    Tips for Carefree Landscapes: Over 500 Sure-Fire Ways to Beautify Your Yard and Garden
    by Marianne Binetti
    Storey Books, 1990
    Order this title from Amazon.com.

    Guests
    Marianne Binetti
    Gardening Expert / Author
    PO Box 872
    Enumclaw, WA 98022
    Phone: 360-825-6186
    E-mail: Info@BinettiGarden.com
    Website: www.binettigarden.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-516
    •Homemade Tea in a Pot
    •Cleaning Wallpaper
    •Computer-Aged Workout
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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