The making of Chamomile Tea
June 2017
It was a family effort to convert the long–standing East pasture (used to make hay every summer), into a chamomile field. A new Kubota was purchased to begin the transformation.
Field Prep
Because the sod was very dense, a week’s worth of tilling and discing were required to get the field ready to plant. ‘Tractor Therapy’ was born as friends offered to help run the tiller only to discover the therapeutic properties of ‘Tractor Time.’
Planting
Having to space rows 6 inches apart meant planting countless rows of chamomile seeds. Viva farms loaned us their Jang seeder and the family went to work.
Slow start
Chamomile prefers cooler temperatures to sprout, and the summer was very hot. August 18th the first full–fledged plant was discovered.
A rake for harvesting
Johnny’s Selected Seed company sells these handy harvest rakes for gathering the daisy–like blossoms that make chamomile tea.
The flowers make the tea
Once the chamomile flowers are dried, they are packaged into tins and sealed.
Tea Time
Chamomile is naturally soothing.
We hope you will visit Willowbrook Manor English Tea House and Chamomile Farm to enjoy the country tea experience we offer.
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