When is the best time to plant mugwort?

Mugwort, also known as Artemisia argyi, is a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. In early March in spring, the underground rhizomes of mugwort begin to sprout, and then between April and May, its above-ground stems and leaves grow rapidly to form lush plants. Let’s find out when is the best time to plant mugwort?

When is the best time to plant mugwort?

In the Central Plains, affected by climate temperature, the best time to plant mugwort is usually in March, and no later than early April. This timing ensures that the mugwort is grown properly before the Five Poison Festival in May for use during the festival. If planted too late, the mugwort may not be in a suitable state for use before the Five Poison Festival.

Mugwort Planting Method

1. Site Selection and Land Preparation

When choosing land, you need to ensure that there is an irrigation water source and that it is far away from residential water use and industrial pollution. The soil and air quality must meet the national secondary standards, and production water should meet the water quality requirements for farmland irrigation. The soil should be free of toxic residues, human and animal feces or domestic waste, and should be tested regularly. According to the soil structure, appropriate tillage is carried out, and well-rotted organic fertilizer is applied, about 22.5 to 30 tons/hectare, and mixed evenly into the soil. Then, the ditches and ridges are tidied in preparation for planting.

2. Reproduction method

Mugwort mainly reproduces asexually through rhizome division, but seeds can also be used. Seed propagation is usually carried out in March, rhizome propagation in November. The width of the bed is about 1.5 meters, higher in the middle and lower on both sides to prevent water accumulation. Apply sufficient base fertilizer before sowing, 4,000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, and irrigate the soil after deep plowing.

Seed characteristics: Achenes are oblong and glabrous, seeds are quadrangular, light yellow-green, with a thin and soft seed coat, and a thousand-grain weight of about 0.12 grams.

Seed preservation and cultivation: Select 2 to 3 year old, healthy and pest-free plants for seed preservation. When the fruit is ripe (October to November), cut off the fruit branches, dry them, thresh and screen them, and store the seeds in a cool and dry place. Note that the seeds have a short lifespan.

Seed propagation: sow in early spring, February to March in the south and March to April in the north. Can be sown directly or transplanted from seedlings. The row spacing for direct seeding is 40 to 50 cm, and the covering soil should not be thick, about 0.5 cm. After the seedlings emerge, pay attention to loosening the soil and weeding, and transplant them when the seedlings are 10 to 15 cm tall.

Rhizome propagation: Rhizome propagation is the main method. Plant in early spring, dig out perennial underground rhizomes, select tender rhizomes, cut into 10 to 12 cm segments, dry and plant them, with a row spacing of 40 to 50 cm and a plant spacing of about 20 cm. Cover with soil and water.

3. Planting density

From February to March, when the seedlings are 5 to 10 cm tall, choose humid weather (after rain or on cloudy days) for transplanting, with a plant spacing of 30 cm × 40 cm, 2 to 3 plants in each hole, and cover with soil and compact it. In case of drought, watering is required in time.

Artemisia argyi : Plant in trenches with a distance of 35 cm and a depth of about 15 cm. 200 kg is required per mu.

Artemisia argyi seedlings: Planted in holes, with row spacing of 45 cm × 35 cm, 4,000 plants are needed per acre.

4. Field Management

After survival, apply 90 kg/hectare of urea when the seedlings are 30 cm tall. In early April, tillage and weeding were carried out to a depth of 15 cm. After harvesting in June, turn over and dry the garden , remove dead branches and leaves, and thin out the dense stem bases. Apply base fertilizer in early November. During drought, spray the leaves when the seedlings are below 80 cm in height, and flood the entire garden when they are above 80 cm.

5. Harvesting and Processing

When the mugwort grows to 50 cm, choose a sunny day to harvest it. When harvesting in summer, cut the lush, non-flowering stems and branches, remove impurities, dry them in the sun until they are 50% to 60% dry, tie them into small bundles, and then dry them in the sun until they are completely dry. Store them in bundles to prevent moisture and mildew. High-quality mugwort should be dry, have many leaves, small branches, be green, have a strong aroma, taste bitter, and be free of mud, sand, impurities, and mildew.

The above is an introduction to the planting time and methods of mugwort. Mugwort is generally planted in spring, and then mugwort will be used in some subsequent festivals.