A fragrant, edible, adorable, and pollinator-friendly flower. Small, perky blooms are loaded with petals and will make your container garden look full and vibrant from spring through fall. One of the easiest mixes to grow, the Pacific Beauty Calendula Mix should be a go-to for any gardener.
This variety is the perfect companion plant for tomatoes and carrots.
Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the spring after frost-free date. Mark a row, and drop seeds every 6 inches, cover with one quarter inch of soil, pat gently, and water. Seeds should germinate within a week, and plants will blossom six to eight weeks later.
Calendula can be grown in containers, but will require additional care and watering.
Alternatively, seeds can be started indoors in seed trays three to four weeks before frost-free date and transplanted into the garden. Choose an area of the garden that receives full sun exposure.
Wait for flowers to dry completely on the plant, then snip off dried flower heads and place into a paper bag. Once you have brought them inside, you need to remove the seeds from the seed head. This can be done by hand. You will have to remove any chaff from the seeds as this may cause the seeds to go moldy when they are stored.
Allow the seeds to fully dry and store in a cool, dry place for up to two years.