Outdoor tea garden
(Image courtesy of Wikihow.com)

It’s amazing how the simple act of planting a seed and nurturing it as it grows into something wonderfully edible, can fill the soul with such a profound sense of gratification and contentment.  Sustainable living gives new meaning to the expression “you reap what you sow.”  At Bigelow Tea, we’ve been practicing Sustainabili-TEA from day one, by producing only the finest tasting teas, lovingly hand-picked from mountain grown gardens.  So, for the fellow tea lovers who may be wondering how to grow your very own slice of herbal heaven – it’s really quite easy!  The three key elements to a thriving herbal tea garden are sun, soil and water.

Balcony/Rooftop

Indoor
(Images courtesy of Wikihow.com)

You can visit your local nursery to learn what herbs are best suited to your particular garden zone and sun requirements.  Determine your available outdoor space and have fun designing your herbal retreat.  If the area is large enough, consider adding some decorative features like a gate, trellis or arbor. As a finishing touch, place a bench in the garden and appreciate the beauty while sipping a cup of tea.

If space is an issue, consider creating a special area on your deck, balcony, rooftop or even indoors! Herbs make great container gardens, provided they’re located in a spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight. You can fill the space with colorful plant containers and an indoor herb garden will infuse the house with delightful fragrances.

Charleston Tea Plantation

We love our herbal teas – and the land on which they grow. In 2003, Bigelow Tea purchased the Charleston Tea Plantation, America’s only tea garden, as part of our deep-rooted commitment to the practice of what we proudly call “Sustainabili-TEA.”  So, from our garden to yours – happy harvest!!

A little Southern hospitality goes a long way in South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island, home of America’s only tea garden, the Charleston Tea Plantation. Cindi Bigelow gives a fun and informative video tour of the idyllic plantation, purchased by the Bigelow family in 2003.

The plantation receives over 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom are curious to see a real, unique tea garden – in all its 127-acre splendor – and perhaps want to plan their weddings/special events on the grounds or to explore the rich history of Charleston or to simply just enjoy a lovely a cup of the plantation’s signature American Classic Tea.

Aaron Lawrence knows…

After winning the R.C. Bigelow Incentive Program, territory rep., Aaron Lawrence was treated to a weekend at the Charleston Tea Plantation, which is the largest tea garden in the country.  As you can tell from the photos, Aaron really enjoyed learning all there is to know about making tea.  Aaron even made some new friends.  According to Aaron, “The Charleston Tea Plantation is a great way to learn about tea and tea history.  The staff is incredibly friendly and the site is magnificent.  I would highly recommend making a visit whether you are a tea enthusiast or not!”  There is more information on the Charleston Tea Plantation at www.bigelowtea.com.