Calendula officinalis

JOY MAX SCALE ✦✦✦✦✧

✦ Edible flowers look beautiful in the garden and shredded and added to salads or bowls

✦ The flower petals of the Calendula plant have been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century. It has been shown to speed the healing of wounds, where it appears to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects

✦ Once established, calendula is carefree in cool weather and will self-sow for new flower season after season

✦ Potager Garden All Star 

Basic Growing Information

Calendula can be direct-seeded outdoors in cool temperatures, or started indoors. The small seeds should be planted ¼” deep, and kept well watered while awaiting germination which should occur within 7-14 days. If starting indoors, allow plants to grow to a height of 3-4” and show first leaves before setting outside.

Tips for Growing Calendula

• Calendula is adaptable to a range of soils and light conditions. Will thrive and produce more flowers with full sun and rich, fertile soil.

• For pretty, plump, happy, foliage, wait to direct sow until temps are in the mid-600s to low 700s. The flowers bloom best in cooler weather with low humidity.

• Treat for powdery mildew using my insecticide soap spray. Once it gets warm outside, keeping calendula looking good becomes difficult. You can cut them down to the ground and they will grow back healthier.

• If flowers aren’t harvested, keep them deadheaded for maximum bloom action.

 • Repels a number of unwanted soil nematodes and asparagus beetles, but may attract slugs and snails.

• Set out your transplants so they grow in clumped masses for maximum visual impact.

Companion Planting

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, carrots, asparagus, greens, lettuces, really anything grows well with calendula 

Seed Saving

Calendula seeds are curved like little brown fingernails. They are easy to collect from dry flower heads, just pull them from the plant, rub in your fingers until they come apart, and store in a cool, dry place.