Chamomile is a perennial plant that produces very pretty flowers, often used to make herbal teas, much appreciated for their relaxing properties. It is also used in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes, for example to relieve indigestion, toothache and burns. It is not difficult to grow chamomile in the ground: the technique is the same for both annual and perennial varieties. Start planting seeds indoors or directly in the garden.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Planting Chamomile Seeds Indoors
Step 1. Plant chamomile seeds indoors in late winter, about 4-6 weeks before the last frost, depending on the climate you live in
Fill a tray divided into cells with a moist soil mixture. Level and compact everything with the convex part of an old spoon.
Step 2. Plant 2 or 3 chamomile seeds in each cell, then cover them with a thin layer of soil mix
Step 3. Cover the seed tray with a clear plastic grocery bag
Display it in moderate light, but don't place it in front of a window. The light gets too strong when it passes through the glass, so it will be fine in a spot a few meters away from a sunny window.
Step 4. Check the seeds every day
If the soil looks dry, lightly mist it with a spray bottle. Always keep it moist, because if it dries up it can lead to the death of the seedlings due to the so-called damping off, which directly attacks the seeds.
Step 5. Remove the plastic and move the planting tray to a sunny window when the first sprouts are born
If you don't have a window in the sun, place it under 2 fluorescent lamps, and leave the lights on for at least 14 hours a day. The ambient temperature will be sufficient, but do not place the sowing tray near a door or window exposed to drafts.
Step 6. Thin out the seedlings when they reach 1-2 cm in height, leaving only one healthy in each cell
To thin them out, gently stand out the plant by grabbing it in the part that protrudes from the soil. Don't pull it, otherwise you risk compromising the roots that hold the rest of the plant.
Step 7. Detach the growing leaves from each seedling
This way, the seedlings will produce more twigs and become thicker.
Method 2 of 4: Transplant the Chamomile Seedlings
Step 1. Prepare the garden by working the first six inches of soil with the hoe, then use a rake to smooth the surface of the soil
Step 2. Use a garden shovel or small shovel to dig holes in which to place the seedlings, leaving 20-25 cm of distance between them
Insert the chamomile seedlings, then compact the soil around the roots.
Step 3. Water the seedlings gently, avoiding soaking them with water
It would be helpful to use a tube with a nebulizer. Keep the chamomile seedlings moist until they start producing new leaves.
Method 3 of 4: Plant Chamomile Seeds Directly in the Garden
Step 1. Work the soil with a hoe and remove all the stones
Level the ground with a rake.
Step 2. Lightly water the area, then sprinkle the chamomile seeds on top of the soil
Do not cover the seeds, but water them with a fine spray. They will germinate in 2-3 weeks.
Step 3. Thin out the chamomile seedlings when they have reached about 5 cm in height, leaving 20-25 cm of distance between them
Therefore, stand out or cut the seedling by grabbing it in the part that protrudes from the ground. Don't pull it, otherwise you risk compromising the roots that hold the rest of the plant.
Method 4 of 4: Caring for Chamomile Plants
Step 1. Water the plants regularly until they begin to grow
Once chamomile takes root, it only needs water sporadically during the long hot season.
Step 2. Collect the chamomile flowers by cutting them with a pair of garden shears when they are in full bloom
You can dry them or use them fresh.
Step 3. Prune the chamomile plants to the ground during the fall, using a pair of garden shears or a brush cutter
Cover the plants with 8-10cm of insulation material made from dry leaves or straw to protect them during the winter. In the spring, remove it using a rake.
