Chamomile

Chamomile is a delightful herb known for its calming properties and pleasant fragrance. It's widely used in herbal teas, aromatherapy, and natural skincare products.

Preparing for Growing:

• Selecting a planting location: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
• Soil preparation: Prepare the soil by removing weeds and incorporating organic matter for improved fertility and drainage.
• Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If growing in containers, select pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

• Seed preparation: Chamomile seeds do not require any special treatment before sowing.
• Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix.
• Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Sow seeds thinly on the soil surface, cover lightly with soil, and keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
• Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Transplant seedlings to larger containers once they have developed several sets of true leaves.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

• Soil preparation: Prepare a seedbed with well-draining soil and remove any weeds or debris.
• Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Sow chamomile seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date in spring.
• Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

• Selecting suitable plants for containers: Choose compact chamomile varieties suitable for container growth.
• Container and soil preparation: Use containers with good drainage and fill them with well-draining potting mix.
• Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as they were in their original containers.
• Caring for container plants: Place containers in a sunny location, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

Transplanting to Garden:

• Soil and planting site preparation: Choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun.
• Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, spacing them 12-24 inches apart.
• Post-transplant care: Water newly transplanted seedlings deeply and provide shade for a few days to help them acclimate to outdoor conditions.

Plant Care:

• Watering: Chamomile plants have moderate water needs and prefer consistently moist soil. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth.
• Weeding: Keep the area around chamomile plants free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
• Pest and disease management: Chamomile is relatively pest and disease-resistant but may occasionally suffer from issues like aphids or powdery mildew. Monitor plants regularly and treat any problems promptly.

Harvesting:

• Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest chamomile flowers when they are fully open and at their aromatic peak.
• Harvesting and storage guidelines: Harvest flowers in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot. Dry them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight and store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• Start chamomile seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area or sow them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
• Seed spacing: Thin seedlings to 12-24 inches apart.
• Plant spacing: Space plants 12-24 inches apart.
• Number of seeds per pot/container: Sow several seeds per container and thin to the strongest seedling.
• Water preferences: Chamomile prefers consistently moist soil.
• Sun preferences: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining soil with a pH of 5.6 to 7.5.
• Companion Planting: Plant chamomile near vegetables like cabbage, onions, and cucumbers to improve growth and repel pests.
• Temperature Preference: Chamomile prefers moderate temperatures and is tolerant of light frost.
• Days to Germination: Chamomile seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days.
• Days to Harvest: Harvest chamomile flowers when they are fully open and at their aromatic peak.