My chamomile flowers are ready and waiting to be harvested and dried. Last year they were trodden down by heavy rain fall and I was unable to gather any up in time. So, this year I was determined to make sure that I didn't miss the window of opportunity.
Harvesting is VERY simple! I just grabbed the flower in between my two fingers and gently pulled it off.
I chose not to cut them all down at the base and hang them to dry because I would have lost all of the other up and coming buds. I also would like it to re-seed itself for next year. I found this to be the easiest way to accomplish harvesting and keep it around for next year.
I filled a large bowl and brought them inside to dry. I took a large cookie sheet and laid paper towel down on top of it. Then I spread the flowers over that.
I left them out on my counter for a week and a half. You could also leave them in your garage or any where else where they will be able to dry.
Do not crumble your dried flowers. They will lose some of their beneficial oils if you do. I am storing my flowers in a clean mason jar in my pantry. Now, to make some tea!
I think I have some of those around my yard. I had no idea that they were chamomile! I thought they were just tiny daisies. So you can just dry these for tea? Good to know.
ReplyDeleteYes, Patricia, you can dry them for tea! I would recommend researching your daisy like flowers carefully before cosuming them just to be on the safe side. I grew mine from seeds which is not hard to do at all. I literally sprinkled a 5"x5" area with the seeds and they took over! Not that I mind, but whoa! I had no idea they spread like that! There are two kinds of chamomile, German and Roman. Good luck in you research!! :)
ReplyDeleteHow do you make tea using dry chamomile? raelly enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteSue