Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a bright and cheerful flower that can bring sunshine to any garden. Its orange and yellow blooms add a lovely splash of colour and create a happy, inviting atmosphere, perfect for brightening up winter days.
Growing Calendula is super-easy, even if you are just starting out in gardening. All these plants need is a little care and attention, and they will brighten your garden with their charm. In this blog, let us understand how to take care of this delicate, sweet flowering plant.
Finding the Ideal Spot
Calendula loves the sunshine. For the happiest flowers, find a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. Even though calendula can handle a little shade, they really shine when they soak up plenty of sun. When picking a place for your flowers, look for a bright area that's not too close to larger plants or buildings that might block the light.
The soil is pretty important, too. Calendula plants like soil that drains well and is rich and a bit loamy. If your garden's soil is more like heavy clay, you can mix in some compost, perlite or a light potting mix. This helps the soil drain better and gives your flowers all the good stuff they need to grow strong and healthy.
Sowing the Seeds
Planting calendula is not just easy—it's fun! You can start by scattering the seeds right in the garden, either in early spring or fall. If your winters are mild, you can even plant during the colder months, and they'll still sprout. Just sprinkle the seeds over the soil and cover them lightly with a thin layer, about 1/4 inch deep. Then, water the area gently to help settle everything in.
Once the seeds are planted, they will start to come out of the soil in about a week or two. During this time, make sure that the soil is moist but not drowning in water. Soon, little seedlings will show up, ready for the next cycle of their growth.
Caring For Calendulas
As your Calendula plant starts to get bigger and stronger, make sure it sits in moist soil. Water just before the soil is about to dry up.
If you added compost when sowing the seeds, there is no need for fertiliser for about two months. If you still wish to pamper your Calendulas, just give them organic fertiliser such as dry banana peel powder or rice water to encourage flowering.
Mature plants require more room to spread out their roots and extract nutrition without competing with fellow plants. If you feel that the plants are too crowded, gently pull out a few saplings and plant them in other pots. This will also showcase more Calendula flowering plants in your garden. Remember to leave 6 to 7 inches of gap between saplings to encourage flourishing growth.
Admiring Your Flowers
When the calendula plants mature, they'll start showing off their bright flowers, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after planting. These blooms can last through the winter if it's not too harsh. To keep your calendula flowering longer, you can remove the old blooms, a process called deadheading.
Calendula isn't just a pretty flower. It turns your garden into a lively, colourful haven during the chilly months. The bright petals catch the weak winter sun and seem to light up shorter days and grey skies.
By following these simple steps, you can successfully grow calendula in your garden. This easy-to-care-for plant not only makes your garden more beautiful but also brings a bit of warmth to the winter scenery. So why not grab some seeds and start planting? You'll love seeing these cheerful blooms brighten up your garden!
Happy Gardening!
0 Comment