Chamomile
Average Days To Maturity: 120 days
Distance Between Rows: 2-3 feet
Spacing Between Plants: 12 inches apart
When To Plant: Charley recommends planting Chamomile in mid to late April, but experienced gardeners can plant earlier and protect the young plants with buckets and milk jugs or start them out in a cold frame or small greenhouse.
Planting Tip: When growing Chamomile in a pot or container, make sure there is good drainage. This can be achieved by putting a layer of gravel or small rocks in before the dirt. If planting in the ground, keep the soil free of weeds and water it a bit so that it is moist when you plant. You do not necessarily have to have an herb garden for Chamomile because it’s daisy-like blooms look great in the flower bed.
Preparation and Care: If the soil that you are planting in is poor, then work some compost into the soil. You will need to hoe or VERY shallowly till or cultivate the soil around the plants to keep the weeds under control. Be sure to keep it shallow and not damage the roots.
Make sure there is plenty of air flow around the plants to prevent rot and disease.
Watering: It is recommended that you water Chamomile when the soil is dry to the touch making sure that you do not overwater. The soil needs to have proper drainage but make sure that it retains enough water to stay moist and not soggy.
Water your garden (tomatoes and everything else) once a week with a 8-12 hour soaking. This will allow the soil to absorb an adequate amount of water and also limit the time you spend each week watering. If you use a sprinkler to water, do this during the day so that the plants will have some time in the evening to dry out before dark. This will limit the chances of disease. If you use a soaker hose, you can water at night. Watering with a soaker hose at night is best as it limits the amount of water lost to evaporation and keeps the plants dry which limits the chances of disease. During dry periods you may need to water more often (every 4-5 days), and watering at night is important in water conservation during droughts.
Fertilizing: Fertilize regularly. About every 2 weeks.
Harvesting: You may begin harvesting Chamomile when the flowers are at their peak. Since this herb blooms throughout the season you can harvest most anytime. Lay the blooms out in a cool dry place and let them dry completely and then you may store them in an airtight container for up to a year.
Chamomile is used to make teas, potpourri and even hair rinse.
Common Insect Problems
Chamomile is relatively pest-free. If you see aphids, spray with a pesticide that is for edible plants. Plant Chamomile in the vegetable garden to help repel cucumber beetles.
Common Disease Problems
It has minimal disease issues.