Make Chamomile Garden Spray

This is a safe, organically sound garden spray that you can use in the garden without a worry. This spray has the same effects as pyrethrum and can be substituted anywhere that pyrethrum would be effective. It is also suitable for use to give sick plants a lift, or to water over damp seedlings to prevent "damping off".[1]

Steps

  1. Purchase or cut some chamomile. This recipe is suitable for either fresh flowers, or dried flowers. Choose whatever suits your needs best, depending on what is available. It is also possible to use a chamomile teabag to make the spray. To do this, take a teabag and pour boiling water over it, following the manufacturer's instructions. This is just the same as making a cup of tea (and is what the images show).[2]
    • The amount of chamomile is dependent on how much you need for use in your garden. The ratio is about one part fresh chamomile flowers to three parts water and slightly less for dried flowers (which are more potent).
  2. Select the flowers. You may need to remove leaf matter and any foreign particles.
    • Or, simply unfold your teabag.
  3. Make chamomile tea of triple strength. Pour boiling water over the fresh or dried flowers/teabag. By way of indicating the size ratio, if you are making a large jug (pitcher) of chamomile garden spray, fill a cup with fresh flowers or fill quarter to half a cup of dried flowers and add to the jug. Fill the rest of the jug with the water.
  4. Allow to steep for a few hours, up to 24 hours is fine. Once it cools, it is ready to use. Strain the flowers (if using), and place the liquid into a spray bottle and label for use.
  5. Use this spray as an insecticide. Spray on plants that have insect infestations.
  6. Protect Grow Healthy Seedlings. Another use is to prevent mildew and damping off in young seedlings. Spray gently on seedlings and allow to dry in the sun.

Tips

  • Mosquitoes and flies do not like chamomile. Rub some bruised leaves on your skin for protection from them.[3]

Warnings

  • Although this spray is safe, use the same precautions as for any garden spraying. Wear gloves, do not spray in your face, do not inhale or ingest, ensure correct labeling and spray only the amounts needed.
  • Even though this is the equivalent of tea, leaving it to sit around in a spray bottle means that it is not suitable for human consumption.

Things You'll Need

  • Containers for making up the spray
  • Spray bottle

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ Nerys Purchon, Handbook of herbs, p. 99, (2002), ISBN 0-7336-1572-4
  2. ↑ Riverhouse, Organic pests control, http://www.riverhouse.com.au/recipes/pest_control.html
  3. ↑ Natural Insecticides, Natural Insecticide and Repellent Recipes, http://www.linkroll.com/natural-insecticides/natural-insecticide-and-repellent-recipes.php/
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