Camelina: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How to sow camelina successfully outdoors?
First choose spring or winter camelina suited to your climate and intended season. These forms of Camelina sativa are not interchangeable: sowing time affects flowering and seed maturity. For a small spring crop, sow when the soil has drained enough to prepare properly. Autumn sowing requires a suitable winter form.
Choose a sunny, free-draining, weed-free area without large clods. The seed is tiny, so prepare a fine but sufficiently firm surface for good soil contact. Sow evenly in closely spaced rows, for example about 15 cm apart, or broadcast over a small area. There is no need to place each individual seed 10 or 15 cm from the next.
Cover shallowly, generally around 1–2 cm depending on soil moisture and structure, without burying deeper in search of damp soil. Firm lightly if this will not create a crust or excessive compaction. Keep the seedbed moist for even emergence and avoid forceful watering. Watch competing weeds early in the cycle. Sparse or late establishment reduces camelina’s ability to occupy the ground quickly.
When does camelina flower?
When should camelina be harvested?
