Lay a Chamomile Lawn

Sweet, soothing, scented chamomile has long been a desirable alternative to grass, and with the availability of turf, it's quick and easy to lay. Chamomile likes free-draining soil and, because it won't tolerate heavy wear and tear, is most suitable for decorative lawns or fragrant seats.

When to Start: Early fall or early spring
At Its Best: All year round
Time to Complete: 2 hours or more for larger lawns

Materials Needed:

• chamomile turf
• well-composted organic matter
• all-purpose granular fertilizer
• topsoil

Lay the Turf

Prepare your site as for turf, and be sure the site drains freely; waterlogged soil will kill chamomile. In this project the turf consists of Chamaemelum nobile 'Treneague', a nonflowering, compact plant that spreads to form a dense mat. Lay the turf in the same way as grass.

Caring for Chamomile

There's no need to mow chamomile because it naturally grows to just 2-1/2 inches in height. Trim it occasionally during summer, using garden shears to remove straggly growth and sideways spread. Pull out any weeds by hand before they have time to establish — don't use lawn weedkiller, which will kill the chamomile. Each spring, apply a slow-release granular fertilizer and sprinkle a top dressing of sieved soil over the lawn. Tread in the dressing to crush the stems, which promotes strong root growth.