Tea Plants

A quick update on the tea plants: They're growing very nicely. Three have sprouted, with a fourth on the way and two more in limbo. The largest of them is getting really big! I'll need a new pot for it soon. Tey're enjoying the company of heirloom tomato sprouts, a gift from Nini of Tay Tea. Exciting!

Tea Plant

You may remember that I planted some tea seeds a while back. I'm glad to announce that the first of them has sprouted! It's a wonderfully rich, shiny green. I'll drink a cup of tea to salute it soon. How about those of you who received tea seeds from me? Have any of them popped up yet?

Planting Tea Seeds

Soon, some of you will be receiving (China variety micro) tea seeds from me. When you get them, here are the planting instructions. If you want a tea seed or two and haven't requested one yet, I have some left. Feel free to ask me.

Make a mix of 50% sand and 50% acidic soil.
Put the soil into containers that are about 7" tall by 5" in diameter. If the container is plastic (like, say, a yogurt container), be sure to poke lots of holes in it so the soil can breathe.
Plant the seed about 2" deep with the "eye" facing the sky. (You'll know what I mean when you see it.)
Place in medium sunlight.
Water very lightly every two days.

Enjoy!

Local Food, Tea Plants

Local food co-ops have issued a challenge to their customers: eat local produce for 80% or more of your diet during the summer months. Excerpt from The Progressive Grocer:

Although "local" is a buzzword used by many retailers, the NCGA maintains that its member natural food co-ops cultivate "truly reciprocal, long-term relationships with local growers and producers."

Participating NCGA member stores will host Eat Local America challenges within their communities, encouraging individuals to visit their store, learn when their local challenge is taking place, commit to participate, and collect information on eating local foods. Because peak harvest time varies throughout the nation, the challenge duration may vary from a one-week to one-month period, according to NCGA.

Read more here.

Personally, I'll be getting most of my grocers from a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). As for my tea, I'll always love teamaster-made green tea from Japan, first flush black from Darjeeling, oolong from Taiwan, and white and green teas from China, but I'll also get to try some VERY local tea soon.


Soil from Darjeeling, kindly sent to me by a tea professional in India







Chinese-variety tea seeds, kindly sent to me my a tea educator in Japan





Planting of the tea seeds, for uber-local, "fresh from my apartment" tea



If anyone in the US would like a tea seed or two, email me with your address and one way you plan to go greener this year. Have a great Earth Day tomorrow!