Camomile is an organically grown herb. It has little flowers with a contrasting dark yellow eye and white crown leaves on light green stems with green featherlike leaves. Herbal tea from dried camomile leaves and flowers has anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Some people can be over-sensitive to camomile tea so be carefull and don't drink large amounts. Camomile is a very usefull medical herb, and it can help other plants that are dying. Put some young camomile plants next to the dying plants to help them. An infusion of camomile can also colour blond hair in a natural way. Annual. Height: 20 - 50 cm.
Outdoor sowing: march - may
Sowing depth: 0-½ cm
Germination temp.: 15-18 °C
Germination: 14-21 days
Plant distance: 30 cm
Plant position: full sun
Harvest period: june till september
Camomile should be sown outdoors. Sow from march on in rows of broadcast the seeds on a sunny, sheltered plot with some good soil. Rake the seeds in. Keep moist and weedfree. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to about 30 cm apart. This plant is an annual that can seed itself.
Camomile flowers from may till october. It can be harvested from june on till september. Spread the picked flowers carefully on a drying rek in one layer. Dry them fast with a temperature that can be no higher than 35 °C. You need a good ventilation. Don't touch the flowers to prevent them from crumbling when they're dried. Store your dried camomile in airtight jars on a dry, cool and dark place to prevent any molding.
