Artemisia, Sweet Annie (Organic)
Artemisia annua. 120 days.
We first became acquainted with Sweet Annie when we worked at Hayhurst Valley Organic Farm and Nursery, where our boss, talented farmer Kate Wilen, made beautiful garlic braids, everlasting bouquets, and wreaths. Sweet Annie, with its long, pliable branches, beautiful fragrance and delicate light green, ferny foliage provides an ideal wreath base. It doesn’t have showy flowers so it’s not much to look at in the garden, but the fragrance is divine. Tall, bushy plants can reach 6′ in height and over 3′ wide. Harvest for wreaths at onset of flowering. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat fever, and more recently its main compound has been used in treating malaria. Will self-sow if allowed to set seed. Aka, Sweet Wormwood.
Surface sow in pots indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Germination may be slow and erratic. When plants are 3” tall, transplant to 18” centers. May also be direct sown after danger of frost has passed. For best results and to avoid self-seeding, harvest prior to seed maturity.
Seed Saving
To save seed, sow plants early in spring & harvest when seeds easily rub out of seed heads. Cut seed stalks when seeds are dry, thresh by hand, dancing, or hitting seed stalk against sides of bucket. Screen to clean.
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