Sunny Ball Organic Matricaria Seed

Days to germination

About 10–14 days at 70°F (21°C).

Starting indoors

The best method. Sow 5–7 weeks before planting out, in spring or fall. Press the seed onto the mix without covering it, since it needs light, and water from below or with a fine mist so it is not buried. Pot up into cell packs or 3–4" pots 2–4 weeks after sowing and harden off before planting out.

Fall planting

Plants set out 3–4 weeks before the first fall frost and wintered over, outdoors or in a high tunnel, bloom earlier the next year with longer stems; under a tunnel stems can reach about 48".

Spring planting

For the best stems, grow spring plantings as annuals. Early transplants into a high tunnel (once it stays above freezing inside) give long stems and heavy bloom; row cover protects early field plantings in cold snaps.

Direct sowing

As soon as the soil can be worked. Press seed in without covering, keep the surface moist until it sprouts, and thin at the first true leaves.

Light

Full sun. Feverfew is a long-day plant: it flowers mainly in the longest days of the year, and on shorter stems when days are short.

Plant spacing

8–12".

Hardiness

A tender, short-lived perennial in Zones 5–9; spring plantings perform best treated as annuals.

Harvest

For fresh use, cut when about three-quarters of the cluster is open; for drying, wait until it is nearly all open.

Soil

Light, moist, fertile soil that drains well, ideally pH 6.0–7.2.

Uses

A productive cut and dried filler; also for beds, borders and containers.

Packet

50 seeds.

Seeds per oz.

About 21,300 on average.