Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a versatile and beautiful herbaceous plant with numerous medicinal and ornamental uses. Its bright and cheerful flowers not only add color to the garden but also attract beneficial insects. Growing calendula provides both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits for herbal remedies and natural skincare products.

Preparing for Growing:

1. Selecting a planting location: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for optimal growth and flowering.
2. Soil preparation: Amend the soil with compost to improve fertility and drainage, as calendula prefers rich, loamy soil.
3. Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: Calendula can be grown in containers or pots, providing flexibility for gardeners with limited space or poor soil conditions.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

1. Seed preparation: Calendula seeds do not require any special treatment before planting.
2. Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use biodegradable pots or seed trays filled with seed starting mix.
3. Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in the soil, keep the soil consistently moist, and provide warmth and bright light for germination, which usually occurs within 7-14 days.
4. Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: Transplant seedlings to larger containers when they have developed their first true leaves, spacing them at least 6 inches apart.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

1. Soil preparation: Prepare the garden bed by removing weeds and debris and amending the soil with compost.
2. Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Direct sow calendula seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperatures are consistently above 50°F.
3. Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

1. Selecting suitable plants for containers: Choose compact or dwarf varieties of calendula specifically bred for container growing.
2. Container and soil preparation: Use large containers with drainage holes and fill them with a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost.
3. Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Plant seedlings into containers, ensuring they have enough space to grow and provide support for the plants if necessary.
4. Caring for container plants: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, and fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea.

Transplanting to Garden:

1. Soil and planting site preparation: Choose a location with well-draining soil and amend it with compost before planting. Ensure proper spacing, typically 6-12 inches apart.
2. Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant seedlings into the garden bed after the last frost date, burying the root ball slightly below the soil surface.
3. Post-transplant care: Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.

Plant Care:

1. Watering: Calendula plants prefer consistently moist soil. Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
2. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every 4-6 weeks to promote healthy growth and flowering.
3. Weeding: Keep the area around calendula plants free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
4. Pest and disease management: Calendula is relatively pest and disease resistant but may occasionally suffer from aphids or powdery mildew. Use organic pest control methods as needed.

Harvesting:

1. Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest calendula flowers when they are fully open but before they start to wilt. Cut flowers in the morning after the dew has dried.
2. Harvesting and storage guidelines: Dry harvested calendula flowers by hanging them upside down in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight. Store dried flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for later use in teas, salves, or other herbal preparations.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• Start calendula seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: ¼ inch
• Seed spacing: 6 inches apart
• Plant spacing: 6-12 inches apart
• Number of seeds per pot/container: 1-2 seedlings per container
• Water preferences: Consistently moist soil
• Sun preferences: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
• Companion Planting: Calendula attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings and can be planted near vegetables to improve pollination and pest control.
• Temperature Preference: Cool-season plant, tolerates temperatures between 50-75°F.
• Days to Germination: 7-14 days
• Days to Harvest: 60-75 days after germination, depending on growing conditions.