CALENDULA
Calendula Officinalis
Pacific Beauty
Calendula (also called Marigold) is spectacular from spring to autumn thanks to its generous flowering which is constantly renewed.
This variety offers superb inflorescences to yellow, cream and orange colors .
Calendula is also a plant that has many medicinal properties that are both anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous,
anti-oxidants, analgesics and moisturizers.
Finally, we note that marigold is one of the easiest flowers to grow but also among the most flowering from spring to autumn.
PERIOD
Calendula is one of the easiest flowers to grow.
Sowing takes place directly in place. No need to do it in a pot and plant it later.
However, beware if the site contains a lot of weeds, it may prevent growth.
You can sow them from April to May without a problem.
LOCATION
Plant it in the sun or part shade in drained soil.
Regular garden soil mixed with potting soil is ideal.
Avoid too heavy and compact soils that hold moisture to the detriment of the plant.
SOW
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Choose a place that is sunny but not hot.
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Broadcast sow with a light hand.
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Cover the seedlings by crumbling a thin layer of potting soil.
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Water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist.
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Once the seedlings are well formed, thin out to keep only the most vigorous every 25-30 cm
The marigold has the particularity of chasing away a good number of insects which are parasites in the garden and in the vegetable patch such as aphids.
We like to sow a few marigold seeds in the heart of the vegetable garden in order to protect the vegetables against parasites.
CARE
Very easy to grow, Calendula requires very little care.
Once properly installed, it is not very greedy in water and can be satisfied with a copious watering per week in the ground
if the heat is not overwhelming.
In pots, evaporation being faster, it will be necessary to water the marigold more often and to add some fertilizer.
to see it bloom longer and more abundantly.
You can if you want to remove the faded flowers in order to stimulate the appearance of new flowers but this gesture is not essential.
Calendula fears frost and does not grow back from year to year.
However you can shake the withered plants to spread the seeds which will certainly be able to gratify you.
of a new flowering the following year.
A LITTLE GARDENER GLOSSARY
A seedling (sowing) | A plant (plant)
When you sow seeds you get seedlings.
Seedlings are made in small pots indoors (or in a greenhouse outdoors).
Once the plant has grown sufficiently, several weeks later, we speak of a plant that we can put in the ground.
to complete its growth.
When and how to seed?
Most of the seeds are made between February and April, when nature awakens. Planting is usually done at this time.
Sow your seeds in small containers placed inside (or in a greenhouse outside), in the light, with a soil always slightly moist. You will then see your plants appear.
When outdoor temperatures are above 10 degrees at night, you can place your plants directly in the ground.
NOTE: When the temperature allows it, you can also sow directly in the ground (without sowing inside),
however this will delay flowering, since you will not be able to do this step before May-June, depending on the region
and the vagaries of the weather.
To sow in pots/pockets: Place several seeds in a hole.
Broadcast sowing: Spread the seeds as homogeneously as possible over the entire surface to be sown.