How to intercrop chamomile
How to intercrop chamomile
Common chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family whose flowers are generally collected, preferably after losing the petals but before drying on the plant itself. A common harvesting methodology consists of passing the stems of the plant between the fingers (or between the teeth of special combs) in such a way as to collect only the flowers, avoiding a long cleaning phase. The flower heads are dried by placing them in thin layers in the shade; they are then stored in airtight glass containers away from sources of light and humidity.
The cultivation of chamomile can be a very interesting practice, especially if you want to diversify the company’s biodiversity also due to the benefits that this plant brings by attracting pollinating insects.
In intercropping, chamomile takes advantage of the proximity of plants such as: hemp, cabbage, onion, mint, basil, tomato, strawberry, lettuce, potato and stevia;
Chamomile is a versatile plant that can therefore be combined with various other plants in the vegetable garden or garden to obtain mutual benefits. Here are some plants with which chamomile associates well:
Collards: Chamomile can help improve the flavor of collards and repel some harmful insects.
Onions: Planting chamomile near onions can help improve their flavor and keep pests away.
Mint: Chamomile and mint can grow well together, and chamomile can help repel some insects that attack mint.
Basil: combining chamomile and basil can help improve plant vigor and repel some parasites.
Tomatoes: Chamomile can be planted near tomatoes to improve the overall health of the plants and increase fruit production.
Strawberries: Chamomile can help improve the flavor of strawberries and keep some harmful insects away.
Lettuce: Planting chamomile near lettuce can help stimulate lettuce growth and repel some pests.
Furthermore, as mentioned, chamomile attracts beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs, which help in pollination and pest control. Be sure to plant chamomile in an area with good sun exposure and well-drained soil for best results.