"Homegrown Tea" - Review and Giveaway

Spring is finally here and that turns my thoughts to gardening. Since I live in an apartment with limited space, I grow fruits and veggies in containers. While I love flowers and ornamental plants, I avoid them because … well … growing food is a higher priority.

That’s about to change!!

I’d like to introduce you to a fabulous book:

“Homegrown Tea” is a gardening book which explains how to grow plants that can be used to brew a cup of tea. It is broken down into sections, each section based on the part of the plant which will be used. For example, some teas are made using the leaves or flowers while others use seeds or berries.

Over forty plants are featured. Each feature begins with a description of the plant and typically includes some interesting historical facts. Did you know that Rosemary was used in bridal bouquets as a symbol of love and fidelity?

Next the author shares medicinal and/or nutritional benefits of the plant. You’ll find out which plants have calming properties and which help reduce cholesterol. Some plants aid digestion and others help clear congestion.

Once you’ve chosen plants, you’ll need to know how to grow them. The author talks about where to plant and whether it’s better to start from seeds or cuttings. Some plants prefer a more tropical climate while others benefit from chilly temperatures. She goes on to teach us when and how to harvest. Some varieties are better when dried while others are at their most flavorful when picked fresh.

The information, under the heading “To Make Tea”, uses detailed photos to instruct the reader in brewing the perfect cup of tea.

Each feature finishes with advice on tea pairings and a few tips. For example, I learned that deer, rabbits, and slugs dislike the taste of Lavender so it’s a great, pest-resistant plant.

Here’s an added bonus to this wonderful book: The author, who studied fine art at Plymouth University, shares her own beautiful paintings of individual plants. They illustrate the beauty of nature and the intricacies of a plant.

I highly recommend “Homegrown Tea”. It is a “must have” for anyone interested in gardening.

You can buy “Homegrown Tea” from these sites:

• Indiebound
• Apple
• Books-A-Million
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

The generous folks at St. Martin’s Press would like to give two (2) lucky Reduce Footprints’ readers a copy of “Homegrown Tea”. WhooHoo! Please use the Rafflecopter form, below, to enter the contest. There’s only one mandatory entry. All other entries are optional … the more you complete, the better your chances of winning.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will end on April 8, 2014, at 11:59 pm (edt).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneak Peek: Join us tomorrow for Change The World Wednesday – we’ll wrap up our “Photo” challenge and introduce an exciting, new activity.

I received a copy of “Homegrown Tea” in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.