In the case of the common marigold or garden marigold (Calendula officinalis), the name already indicates the characteristically shaped seeds with their ringed sickle shape. Thanks to its easy care, the widespread flower has been an integral part of Central European farm and monastery gardens for several centuries.

The seeds of the marigold look a bit funny

Sow the marigold directly in the bed

Since the marigold grows quickly in full sun to partially shaded locations with soil that is not too wet, you can easily sow the popular dried flower and medicinal plant directly in the garden bed. However, you should wait until April or May to do this so that the sensitive young plants cannot be damaged by late night frosts. At a germination temperature of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, the germination of the calendula flower seeds takes about 8 to 15 days. There are many reasons to sow the seeds of the pretty looking marigold in the garden:

  • the decoratively colored flowers
  • use as a cut flower
  • the harvest for use as a medicinal plant
  • the use as a snail barrier around the lettuce bed

Grow the Calendula officinalis indoors

Marigold can also be grown indoors for an extra strong start to the outdoor season. To do this, sow three to five of the seeds in a pot with soil that is as nutrient-poor as possible and cover it only lightly with substrate. Moisten the fresh seed well and place it in a light and evenly warm place. It is important to use seed soil that is as low in nutrients as possible, otherwise the plants can literally shoot up too early and too much and then planting outdoors less well. You can also regulate the growth of vigorously growing young plants by placing them a little warmer and brighter or colder and less bright indoors.

Simply harvest the flower seeds yourself

Many hobby gardeners still remember playing with the ringed calendula flower seeds as children and sowing them themselves. After all, the crescent-shaped seeds are relatively large and much easier to grasp than many other flower seeds. Harvesting is therefore also quite easy: just wait until the withered flowers of the calendula have turned into a grey-brown wreath of dry seeds. These are ripe when they can be easily detached when touched. Of course, you have to leave at least a few wilted flowers on the herbaceous plants and not all of the faded flower heads during the flowering period for visual reasons.

tips

You don't necessarily have to choose between the two if you want to harvest marigold petals and seeds for both nutritional and medicinal use. Regularly cutting off individual flower heads encourages the calendula to produce more flowers. Therefore, harvest the petals for drying as a basis for tea as early as possible in summer so that you can leave the later blossoms until the seeds are fully ripe.

Category:

Vegetable garden