Have you ever visited a botanical garden on a warm spring day and marveled at tulips in a rainbow of colors, with shapes ranging from cups to stars, contrasting striations, and ruffled edges?Now’s your chance to bring a taste of that awes
12.06.2023 - 23:21 / gardenerspath.com / Nan Schiller
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Calendula TeaCalendula, Calendula officinalis, aka pot marigold, is an annual flowering herb in the aster family that’s suited to cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11.
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Once the “poor man’s saffron” of Medieval Europe used to flavor savory potted dishes, calendula is a beneficial botanical with various culinary and medicinal uses.
In our guide to growing calendula, we provide all you need to know to grow it in your outdoor living space.
This guide zeroes in on harvesting blossoms and making a refreshing and restorative tea with them.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Calendula CultivationDaisy-like calendula may be gold, orange, or red, with a row of petal-like rays surrounding a compact central disc of tiny florets.
It blooms throughout the summer in filtered sunlight to part shade, with moderate moisture and organically-rich, well-draining soil.
Expect 50 to 60 days to maturity and plant dimensions nine to 24 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
A good garden companion, calendula attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps, beneficial insects that contribute to pollination and diversity in the landscape.
Maintenance consists of pinching back leggy stems to preserve a compact form and deadheading to encourage optimal blooming throughout the growing season.
How to Harvest the FlowersThe best time to pick the flowers is in the late morning after the dew has dried and before the sun is high.
Choose flowers that are three-quarters of the way open for the best flavor. Avoid those with blemishes or malformations, as they may suffer from pests or diseases.
You’ll need a gathering vessel
Have you ever visited a botanical garden on a warm spring day and marveled at tulips in a rainbow of colors, with shapes ranging from cups to stars, contrasting striations, and ruffled edges?Now’s your chance to bring a taste of that awes
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