Chamomile in Zone 8B — Florida

Chamomile is a must-grow in your Florida garden for its delicate apple-like flavor, calming tea, and versatility as a companion plant. Imagine sipping homegrown chamomile tea on your porch as the weather cools down in the fall, a welcome change from our hot summers. It's incredibly rewarding to grow your own herbs, and chamomile is an easy one to start with.

While Florida gardening does present challenges like humidity and sandy soil, chamomile thrives when planted during our cooler, drier seasons. With our long 303-day growing season, you can enjoy multiple harvests of this beneficial herb. Timing is key to avoiding the worst of the summer heat and humidity.

Starting chamomile indoors gives you a jump start, especially if you're aiming for an early spring harvest. Begin sowing seeds indoors from mid-December through early January, about six weeks before you plan to transplant. Use seed trays filled with a well-draining seed starting mix, and provide warmth and bright light, preferably with a grow light.

Bottom watering is your friend in Florida's humid climate – it helps prevent damping off. Simply place the seed tray in a shallow dish of water and allow the soil to absorb moisture from the bottom. Remember, our spring is reversed, so starting early indoors helps you capitalize on the cooler temperatures.

Transplant your chamomile seedlings outdoors from early February through early March. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sunlight and temperature changes.

When transplanting, space the seedlings 6-8 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – a late cold snap can sometimes happen even in Florida, so be ready to cover your young plants if needed.

Direct sowing chamomile is a simple and effective method, especially for later harvests. Sow seeds directly into the garden from early February through early October. You have about a 3-week window in early spring, and then again in the late summer/early fall.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Sprinkle the tiny seeds on the surface and gently press them into the soil. Chamomile seeds need light to germinate, so don't bury them too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge.

Chamomile prefers well-drained soil and doesn't like to be soggy, which is crucial to remember in Florida's humid climate. Overwatering can lead to leggy growth and fungal issues. During the cooler months (fall, winter, early spring), water only when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the finger test.

In general, aim for about ½ inch of water per week, but adjust based on rainfall. During our wet summer months, you may not need to water at all unless you're experiencing a dry spell. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid environment.

Signs of underwatering include wilting and yellowing leaves. Overwatering, on the other hand, can cause root rot and stunted growth. A light layer of pine straw mulch can help retain moisture in the soil without suffocating the roots, a good choice for our sandy soil.

Your first chamomile harvest can begin as early as early April, and you can continue harvesting through late December. The key is to watch for the flowers – harvest them when the petals are slightly bent backward. This is when they have the highest concentration of essential oils.

Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried for the best flavor. Gently pluck the flowers from the stems, being careful not to damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production, so don't be shy about picking those blooms.

As our first frost approaches around mid- December, harvest any remaining flowers to dry for tea. Even though chamomile is frost-hardy, a hard freeze can damage the flowers. You can still get a few harvests even in December!

Aphids:

• What it looks like: Clusters of tiny insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. You might also see sticky honeydew residue or curled, distorted new growth.
• What causes it: These sap-sucking insects thrive in warm weather and reproduce rapidly. Ant colonies often "farm" them for their honeydew, so you might see ants nearby.
• How to fix/prevent it: A strong spray of water can knock them off. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which attracts aphids.

Mealybugs:

• What it looks like: White, cottony masses on stems, leaves, and in leaf joints. The plant might be stunted and the leaves may yellow and drop.
• What causes it: Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that love warm, humid conditions. They can be brought in by ants or spread by wind.
• How to fix/prevent it: Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be effective. Control ant populations to prevent them from protecting the mealybugs.

Thrips:

• What it looks like: Tiny, slender insects that cause silvery streaks and distorted growth on leaves and flowers. You might also see black fecal spots.
• What causes it: Thrips thrive in warm, dry weather. They feed on plant sap, causing damage to leaves and flowers.
• How to fix/prevent it: A strong spray of water can dislodge them. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be used for heavier infestations. Encourage beneficial insects like lacewings and predatory mites.

Florida Specific Challenges: Florida's hot summers, very-high humidity, and wet-summer rainfall can create an ideal environment for pests and fungal diseases to attack chamomile. Good air circulation, proper watering, and regular monitoring are essential to keep your plants healthy. Our sandy soil also requires regular amendments with organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient retention.

Chamomile is a great companion plant for many vegetables in your Florida garden. Planting it near onions helps repel onion flies. It also benefits cabbage and broccoli by deterring cabbage moths and other pests.

Chamomile is also beneficial to cucumbers and green beans, improving their growth and flavor. Avoid planting chamomile near mint, as they can compete for resources and chamomile may inhibit the mint's growth. Keep it practical and specific to Florida growing conditions.