Depending on the variety, Pot Marigolds (Latin name: *Calendula officinalis*) show off gorgeous flower heads ranging from bright yellow to deep orange-red, with both single and double-petal versions available. These vibrant blooms are a staple of the summer garden from June all the way through October. But they aren’t just a pretty face! Calendula makes a fantastic cut flower for your breakfast table, provides a vital nectar source for local bees and butterflies, and is a powerhouse in the world of medicinal herbs.
How to Master Sowing Your Seeds
The easiest way to get started is by sowing your marigold seeds directly into your flower beds. You can start doing this in mid-May once the threat of frost has passed. These beauties love a spot in full sun to partial shade. When it comes to soil, Calendula isn’t picky at all, though you’ll want to make sure the area drains well so they don’t get “wet feet.”
Here’s your step-by-step guide for sowing:
- Loosen up the soil and use a spade to create small furrows about 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep.
- Place your seeds in these rows, spacing them about 4 inches (10 cm) apart.
- Lightly cover the seeds with a bit of garden soil.
- Give the bed a good drink using a watering can with a rose attachment. This creates a gentle spray so the seeds don’t get washed away.
- You’ll see sprouts in about a week! Once they hit about 4 inches in height, you can thin them out or transplant them.
If you’ve picked the right location, these plants are great at self-seeding if you leave a few withered flowers standing in the fall. You can also harvest the seeds from the dried seed pods in October to save for next year.
Sowing in Pots and Containers
Thanks to their bushy growth habit and stunning blooms, Calendula is a perfect candidate for pots and window boxes. Standard potting soil works just fine, but I like to mix in a little sand to help with root health and drainage.
The “secret sauce” for container success is ensuring your pot has a drainage hole. To keep that hole from getting clogged with dirt, layer some gravel or broken terracotta shards at the bottom before adding your soil.
Starting Seeds Indoors
While you can direct-sow in the garden as early as March, there’s always a risk that a late frost might damage the seeds. To get a head start, I recommend starting your marigolds indoors or in a greenhouse and moving them outside in mid-May.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Start your seeds indoors around mid-January. This ensures you have strong, sturdy plants ready for the garden by May.
- During the seedling phase, keep them well-watered. Room-temperature rainwater or tap water works perfectly.
- If you’re using a greenhouse or covering your trays with plastic wrap, make sure to vent them regularly to prevent mold and fungus.
- Calendula seeds germinate fast! You’ll likely need to “prick them out” (thin them) at least once and move them into larger starter pots.
- When you’re ready to plant them in the garden in mid-May, give them about 8 inches (20 cm) of space so their roots have plenty of room to spread out.
