In Praise of the Calendula as a Veggie Companion Plant — Information in comments
In Praise of the Calendula as a Veggie Companion Plant — Information in comments
by trebuchetguy
9 Comments
trebuchetguy
On a whim I tried planting calendulas in my tomato and pepper raised beds. I wanted to attract pollinators and I heard in vague terms they help reduce insect pests. I’ve been quite pleased with them and have noticed several benefits this season and I wanted to share with you all.
* They attract pollinators. I had the most bees around in many years. * I have had zero hornworms this year. By the end of August in normal years I’ve had several battles already. * I’ve seen no earwigs in the beds. Normally, they’re quite abundant by now. * The grasshoppers are everywhere on my property, but I’ve seen very few on the peppers / tomatoes and almost no damage. Normally it’s much worse.
In reading more about the flower, I’ve learned that many insects are repelled by the scent of calendulas. Some pests are scarce because the calendulas attract their natural predators. This is supposed to be the case with earwigs. They’re not repelled directly, but are eaten by certain flies attracted by the flowers. In my research I’ve also read that they can attract whiteflies, aphids, and thrips. I don’t normally have problems with those pests and I didn’t witness any increase in those this year. I’m simply adding that bit for completeness.
Calendulas are related to marigolds and are also called “pot marigolds.” They can be direct sown or grown from seeds. I grew from seeds. They are prolific with short lived blossoms and will do best if they’re deadheaded regularly. If you let a few flowers dry out, you can get several dozen seeds from just a few dry heads. Super easy. They have a pronounced and unique, but not unpleasant scent. They grow fast and I’ve had to prune aggressively to keep them at a reasonable size.
artmusickindness
I do this in my veggie garden too, and grow several beautiful varieties of calendula. The flower-heads make a great bath sachet when dried. I make skin salves from infusing the dried flowers in coconut oil, too! They are amazing flowers.
ayapapaya50
Yea I always grow calendulas and marigolds
Dignam_june16
Calendula petals are edible. I use them on salads and they are used as a colorant for cheese making and fabric dyeing. They reseed readily and are easily identified when small so you remove or relocate when they come up next year. A favorite plant in our vegetable and flower gardens.
PenelopeLane925
I’ve had fewer (almost none) hornworms this year. This is also the first year I’ve had calendula blooming by my tomatoes. I never considered that! Will be growing them next year!
Ok_Objective_8448
We grew Calendula for the first time this year. I might have to move some by our tomatoes next year.
galileosmiddlefinger
I love calendula, but make sure that you dead-head the spent flowers. Otherwise, they are PROLIFIC self-seeders that will come up everywhere and in abundance next year!
EddieRyanDC
I have also grown Calendulas next to my tomatoes and peppers. In addition, I also have basil which bees love when it blooms. Outside the fence on the hillside I have apple mint taking over. Again, bees love it and are busy there especially in the early morning and evening.
WickedHardflip
Calendulas are my favorite companion plant. I put some in every bed. I had a few self seed into my path ways and I left those to do their thing as well. They are an excellent plant.
9 Comments
On a whim I tried planting calendulas in my tomato and pepper raised beds. I wanted to attract pollinators and I heard in vague terms they help reduce insect pests. I’ve been quite pleased with them and have noticed several benefits this season and I wanted to share with you all.
* They attract pollinators. I had the most bees around in many years.
* I have had zero hornworms this year. By the end of August in normal years I’ve had several battles already.
* I’ve seen no earwigs in the beds. Normally, they’re quite abundant by now.
* The grasshoppers are everywhere on my property, but I’ve seen very few on the peppers / tomatoes and almost no damage. Normally it’s much worse.
In reading more about the flower, I’ve learned that many insects are repelled by the scent of calendulas. Some pests are scarce because the calendulas attract their natural predators. This is supposed to be the case with earwigs. They’re not repelled directly, but are eaten by certain flies attracted by the flowers. In my research I’ve also read that they can attract whiteflies, aphids, and thrips. I don’t normally have problems with those pests and I didn’t witness any increase in those this year. I’m simply adding that bit for completeness.
Calendulas are related to marigolds and are also called “pot marigolds.” They can be direct sown or grown from seeds. I grew from seeds. They are prolific with short lived blossoms and will do best if they’re deadheaded regularly. If you let a few flowers dry out, you can get several dozen seeds from just a few dry heads. Super easy. They have a pronounced and unique, but not unpleasant scent. They grow fast and I’ve had to prune aggressively to keep them at a reasonable size.
I do this in my veggie garden too, and grow several beautiful varieties of calendula. The flower-heads make a great bath sachet when dried. I make skin salves from infusing the dried flowers in coconut oil, too! They are amazing flowers.
Yea I always grow calendulas and marigolds
Calendula petals are edible. I use them on salads and they are used as a colorant for cheese making and fabric dyeing. They reseed readily and are easily identified when small so you remove or relocate when they come up next year. A favorite plant in our vegetable and flower gardens.
I’ve had fewer (almost none) hornworms this year. This is also the first year I’ve had calendula blooming by my tomatoes. I never considered that! Will be growing them next year!
We grew Calendula for the first time this year. I might have to move some by our tomatoes next year.
I love calendula, but make sure that you dead-head the spent flowers. Otherwise, they are PROLIFIC self-seeders that will come up everywhere and in abundance next year!
I have also grown Calendulas next to my tomatoes and peppers. In addition, I also have basil which bees love when it blooms. Outside the fence on the hillside I have apple mint taking over. Again, bees love it and are busy there especially in the early morning and evening.
Calendulas are my favorite companion plant. I put some in every bed. I had a few self seed into my path ways and I left those to do their thing as well. They are an excellent plant.