Brew What You Grow: Growing Herbs for Tea with the Flex Farm

At Fork Farms, we’re always exploring new ways to help communities reconnect with where their food comes from. While leafy greens often take the spotlight, herbs are an equally powerful—and often overlooked—way to grow wellness right where you are.

One delicious, calming, and creative application? Herbal tea.

Growing herbs like lavender, mint, and chamomile in a Flex Farm is not only possible—it’s a fun and therapeutic way to bring scent, flavor, and healing into your home, classroom, or community space. From a warm cup on a cold day to a refreshing iced tea in the summer, these herbs can be harvested and steeped to support everything from digestion to sleep.

Why Herbs for Tea?

Tea herbs are versatile, fast-growing, and packed with benefits:

• Lavender: Known for its soothing aroma and calming properties. It’s great for promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
• Mint: A vigorous grower with a refreshing flavor that supports digestion and respiratory health.
• Chamomile: A gentle, apple-scented herb with natural calming and anti-inflammatory qualities.

All three herbs thrive in a hydroponic environment when cared for properly. And since the Flex Farm operates indoors, you can grow year-round, regardless of the weather outside.

From Flex Farm to Teacup

Here’s how to get started:

1. Start with Seeds or Seedlings:
   Use your nursery kit to start seeds of chamomile, mint, or lavender. Mint is especially fast-growing and easy for first-time growers.
2. Transplant into the Flex Farm:
   Once your seedlings have a strong root system and a few sets of leaves, transplant them into the Flex Farm. 
3. Monitor Growth:
   Mint and chamomile grow quickly and can be harvested within a short time span. Lavender takes a bit longer but is worth the wait.
4. Harvest and Dry:
   For tea, harvest the leaves (mint), flowers (chamomile and lavender), or both. Let them air dry in a cool, dark space. Once dry, store in a glass jar for your next brew.
5. Sip & Share:
   Steep your herbs in hot water for 5–10 minutes and enjoy. Share with your class, coworkers, or community group—it’s a great way to connect and unwind.

Educational & Wellness Benefits

Whether you’re an educator using tea herb projects to teach about botany and plant cycles, a food pantry adding dried herbs to wellness kits, or a caregiver looking to create calming rituals, herb growing is a gateway to meaningful moments.

It’s not just about the tea. It’s about:

• Hands-on STEM learning
  
• Sensory and therapeutic experiences
  
• Creative uses of harvests
  
• Wellness that’s rooted in nature
  

Growing herbs for tea in a Flex Farm shows how even small crops can make a big impact. From mindfulness to nutrition, community to curriculum, this simple practice brings joy to every harvest.

Ready to explore what’s possible with your Flex Farm? Visit www.forkfarms.com or reach out to learn more about growing herbs and other creative crops.