Calendula - Plant

Planting and care

Calendula is best planted in prepared garden beds or large containers filled with organic potting soil. Prior to planting in beds, work a shovelful or two of well-aged manure or compost into the ground to improve soil conditions.

Caring for Calendula

• Select a spot for calendula that receives full sun. Calendulas do not require any special soil.
• Plant calendula seeds in the spring after the last frost in your area.
• Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (.64 to 1.27 cm) deep and 4 to 6 (10.16 to 15.24 cm) apart.
• Water the seedbed immediately after planting being careful not to wash the seeds out of their spots.
• Water the plants as needed to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater.
• The soil should not be soaking wet.
• When the calendula seedlings are about 3 inches (7.62 cm) high, thin them so that the remaining plants are 8 to 12 inches (20.32 to 30.48 cm) apart.
• Apply a thin layer of compost to the calendula plants in midsummer.

Typical uses of Calendula

Special features:

Culinary use: Calendula is edible flowers and spicy leaves add zest to summer salads and will draw plenty of ooohs and ahhs when presented in a meal.

References

• http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Calendula
• http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/calendula/growing-calendula.htm