The flowers of chamomile are pretty and daisy-like.These flowers can be dried and used to make herbal teas, as well as hot compress and infused oils.It is easy to grow this herb in your garden.You can start seeds indoors or outdoors.You will need to nurture your flowers until they are ready for harvest.
Step 1: Late winter is a good time to start indoor chamomile seeds.
The best time to start seeds is six weeks before the last frost.This will be in February or March.The timing should be adjusted based on the weather patterns in your area.
Step 2: Use a tray for sowing.
There is a seeding tray at the garden center.They can be used to start several plants.
Step 3: The compost can be added to the containers.
Special soil mix can be purchased at your local gardening center or online.Each container needs to be filled with soil.Make the soil moist by adding water.
Step 4: Put seeds under the soil.
Put the seeds in a bowl.To pick up more than one, use your finger.Remove the seeds from your finger and put them in each container.Just a little bit of soil is all you need to cover them.You should still be able to see the seeds.
Step 5: The containers should be misted with a spray bottle.
The seeds should be misted with water from a spray bottle.Make sure the soil stays moist by checking on the seeds each day.You need to spray the seeds as much as you can to keep the soil moist.If the soil isn't staying moist enough, you can keep the seeds covered with a loose sheet of plastic wrap.The plastic will keep the water out.As soon as you see a sign of green, remove the plastic and leave space for air circulation.
Step 6: The temperature should be changed to encourage the growth of plants.
The ideal growing temperature is between 65 and 85F.Plants can be put in a sunny spot during the day.It should be a little cooler at night.The natural warm and cold cycles of the outdoors will be mimicked.
Step 7: When the plants are 2 in, remove one seedling.
The high is 5.08 cm.Only one healthy seedling will be left in each container.The cut off point is at the ground level.The roots of the chamomile plant may be disturbed if you pull the seedling out by its roots.
Step 8: Get your plants ready for the move.
It is called "hardening off" the chamomile.They are prepared for life outside.Plants can be put in a covered area for a few hours per day.For two weeks, increase their exposure by a few hours each day.Only when the weather cooperates will you do this.Plants should be kept inside if the temperature drops or there are strong winds.The breezes are good for the little guys.As you go, give the plants less and less shade over the course of two weeks.The soil should be moist during this time.The plants should be kept indoors at night.
Step 9: The danger of frost is past.
It should be about six weeks after you started seeds.Remove the plantings from their containers and place them in holes that are double the size of their root balls.The holes should be filled with a mix of soil and slow-releasefertilizer.Water the plants before you transplant them.Once they are in the ground, gently mist them.The base of the leaves should be at the soil level.
Step 10: Pick a spot that is warm and sunny.
It prefers a lot of sun and can handle a little shade.A spot in your garden that gets a lot of light is a good place to put it.
Step 11: Prepare it by Rake and even out the soil.
Raking and hoeing the area will remove rocks, clumps of soil, and weeds.Go at least 1 foot deep.Pack the soil down for a smooth planting surface after raking it back into place.
Step 12: German chamomile can be planted if you have poor soil.
German chamomile is hardier than other varieties.It can handle low nutrition in the soil.German chamomile needs to be replanted every year.You don't need to replant because it self-seeds.It acts like a perennial plant.
Step 13: If you have fertile soil, you can plant Roman chamomile.
In higher-quality soil, Roman chamomile does better.This variety doesn't need to be replanted every year.If you want to raise the quality of the soil, mix a slow-releasefertilizer with it.
Step 14: If you want to avoid frost, sow your seeds in the late spring or summer.
Don't put the seeds in until the threat of frost has passed.Depending on where you live, this timing will vary.You should be able to plant by the middle of May or June in the United States and Europe.Depending on the weather, warmer states in the southern half of the U.S. may be able to start earlier.If you are planting in Australia, the last frost should occur in early August.
Step 15: The seeds should be placed on top of the soil.
There are seeds in the soil.Don't worry about placement.You will make them into rows later.If you want to cover them with a little soil, use your hands.You should be able to see the seeds under the soil.
Step 16: The seeds will not grow if the soil is not moist.
Start this process as soon as you can because the seeds need a lot of water to grow.The mist or shower setting on your hose can be used to moisten the soil.When the seedlings are small, keep the soil moist.This is likely to require a daily watering.
Step 17: When they're about 2 inches tall.
Leave about 8 to 10 inches between the plants, making rows of plants.Cut the plant off at the ground level.Don't pull the seedling completely out of the ground as you may disturb the roots.
Step 18: Pre-grown chamomile can be planted in the autumn or spring.
If you want to grow mature chamomile plants, buy them at a garden center.If you want the base of the leaves to be right at the soil level, you have to dig a bigger hole than the root ball.Put some slow-releasefertilizer in the soil, pack it down, and water it until it's wet.Perennial plants are best started in early autumn or late spring.During these times annuals should be planted.You should usually stick to a season when the weather is getting warmer and colder.Plants should not be planted in extreme heat or cold.
Step 19: Water the plants frequently.
You should water your plants daily until you see flowers.They need the water to mature.Don't soak the soil.Wait until it is just moist.You may be able to reduce your watering if you get a lot of rain.Even if it is raining, make sure to check the soil.
Step 20: Once the plants are established, reduce watering.
It is a pretty hardy plant.It does well with less water once it is fully grown.When the soil is almost dry, soak the plants.This takes about a week or two.
Step 21: Keep weeds away from the plants.
Make sure the garden is free of weeds.You don't want them to choke off your drink.The garden can be given a weekly once-over to remove invaders.It is usually pest free after bees and butterflies.You don't need to worry about pesticides.
Step 22: During winter, cover the plants with evergreen boughs.
During the winter, mekong plants need protection from the harsh winds.At the start of the cold season, place evergreen boughs over the plants.
Step 23: The plants need about 60-65 days to mature.
It takes about two months from when the seeds are planted to when flowers are produced.You should be able to see this by early to mid- summer.
Step 24: Once the flowers have bloomed, cut them.
All summer long, your plants should continue to bloom.As you cut off blooms, new ones should grow in their place.This will give you a lot of flowers to dry.The flowers should be at the base of their stems.The stems can be trimmed to the base of the blooms for drying.
Step 25: The flowers should be dried away from the sun and dust.
Put the flowers in a cabinet.This will allow them to dry off.You should wait until the plant collapses to your touch, usually 1-2 weeks later.
Step 26: Store dried chamomile in a sealed jar away from the sun.
It's a good idea to keep the dried flowers safe from the elements.You can store mason jars in your pantry next to the tea.
Step 27: Tea can be made with a cup of dried flowers.
Use a tea ball to make tea.Put a small amount of dried chamomile into the tea ball.It should be steep in hot water.It's possible to make tea with fresh flowers as well.You should double the amount you use.Adding honey will make this tea sweeter.
Step 28: Use tea to help plants.
It can help other plants by preventing infections and pests, as well as acting as a natural deterrent in the garden.It's a good idea to spray a weak tea over them a few times a week.They need to be sprayed in the morning to dry off.There are a lot of infections for saplings.Before you plant the seeds, soak them in a weak tea for 8 to 12 hours.To make a triple strength tea, use more tea bags and allow your tea to steep for 24 hours.You can spray your tea on your plants.It will act as a natural deterrent if you spray it on your plants.