Calendula Flowers (Pot Marigold)

 Hi, Sweet Friends,  

I've finished drying up all the garden herbs a month early this year. The unexpected snow fall drove us to bring in the potted gardens. I've kept the hardy ones to go to seed and some to continue indoor fresh herb production. ***NOTE*** The potted garden traveled very well when we relocated in September. However, covering the plants with a sheet or towel worked well enough to not have the sun scorch the tender leaves of the house plants and garden pots.

   The Calendula took a hard hit, but not before it gave one last punch of yellow flowers! I had potted the Calendula up in June along with Ajuga, Dusty Miller, and Creeping Charlie. Although a stunning combination of plants, the Creeping Charlie didn't fair well in the hot arid climate we were in this Summer. Oh, and the Westerly winds were so crazy that we had to water deep every other day. *Remember to use the liquid fertilizer weekly for better plant growth.

Upon arriving back to Montrose,  the Creeping Charlie died. It's  unique smell, trailing foliage,  and  variegated light green and white leaves paired beautifully with the Calendula. Since the Calendula prefers full sun, it wasn't a good growing choice in combination of the plants. ***noted for next years Spring Planting as a no go

In the garden, the Calendula grows lush and vigorously.  Also known as "Pot Marigold", this wonderfully versatile plant has been used for centuries to the herbalist and Wildcrafter. 

I bit of information about Calendula that you may not know. It is in the Daisy Family ~ Astereceae

Calendula is a natural healer for burns, cuts, bites, rashes, athlete's foot, and beauty aids. I have used it as a salve for my skin and Winter's cursed split fingers.

So, what I do is to pull off the fresh picked flower petals and dry them on paper toweling for a few days or until they are dry to the touch.

I also dry the flower pods which is where the seeds for next years plants will come from. I keep many more than I need as the ratio of viable seeds can be quite low with dryer years like this one was.

As the pods dry, I remove the seeds and double check for the larger more potent looking seeds. Don't feel bad tossing the little nothing seeds away as they won't be viable and grow healthy flowers.

I keep my Calendula petals in a lidded mason jar out of the sun and away from bright light.

Enjoy! :D

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