How to grow Yarrow

Seed Sowing

Sow seeds in early spring, around February to March. Sow into modules and only cover very lightly with soil as seeds need light to germinate. Keep the seeds moist by covering with a plastic bag until germinated. It can also be direct sown outdoors in late spring.

Transplanting

Plant out after the last frost, spacing plants 30cm apart. Yarrow can also be grown in containers or lawns.

Plant Care

Keep the area weed-free and watered during hot spells. You can mulch around the plants to keep in moisture and prevent weeds. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Once established, Yarrow usually thrives without much care and can be easily divided by the root once plants appear crowded to propagate more plants.

Challenges

Yarrow are generally easy to grow and free from most pests and diseases but can be vulnerable to slugs when the plants are young. Things to watch out for are aphids and powdery mildew.

Harvest

Pick the flowers often to encourage more flowers to form; they will usually flower for around 10 weeks. Ideally, harvest the flowers in the morning when temperatures are low and plant water content is high. Plants will arrange better if left to sit in water for a few hours after cutting.

To dry, cut stems and remove lower leaves and hang upside down in bunches in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space.

Culinary Ideas

Well known for its myriad of medicinal properties, Yarrow is a beneficial herb for all members of the family with its wound healing, circulation-boosting, and digestion-stimulating properties as well as in providing menstrual support for women.

For internal consumption, try steeping in a tea (the taste is quite bitter so will benefit from other flavour enhancers) or making a tincture.

Use varieties closest to wild yarrow (with white petals) for the highest medicinal value.

Seed Saving

Harvest the individual flowers as they dry or whole plants once most of the flowers on the stem have dried. Lay out on a sheet to dry further and thresh by hand and winnow to clean the seeds.

Store in a cool dark place.