Chickweed

Chickweed — variety description

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is an annual herb of the Caryophyllaceae family. Chickweed does best in cooler climates, growing in moist, rich soil in a partially shaded position.

It is a ground-cover herb that grows low and spreads quickly. It contains minerals and vitamins, which makes it a favoured addition to dishes or salads.

The leaves can also be gathered and dried to make tea.

Chickweed is recognised by its many small oval leaves and small star-shaped white flowers that bloom from late winter into spring.

Over time it came to be regarded as a "blood purifier" and was also used to treat asthma, constipation, menstrual pain, peptic ulcers, rabies, respiratory diseases and scurvy, among others.

Chickweed is an edible wild vegetable for salads and a medicinal herb.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 70%
• Seeds per packet: 387–524 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March – May and September; direct
• Flowering: April and May
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: partial shade or shade

When to sow Chickweed

Chickweed seeds are sown in March – May and September. The plants flower in April and May. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Chickweed

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: partial shade or shade

Seeds can be started at any time of the year. Choose a planting spot, scatter the seeds and cover with a light layer of soil. Remember to keep the soil moist so that germination takes place. The aerial parts of chickweed are used. It is best harvested between May and July. It can be used fresh or dried and stored for later use.

Undemanding.

Harvest and use

Pick young tips.

Frequently asked questions

When should Chickweed be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are March – May and September. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 387–524 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 70%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.