Erfurter Orangefarbige is a variety of calendula bred specifically for its medicinal virtues. Although the whole plant has long been used as a culinary and medicinal herb, the bright orange flowers alone are recommended for kitchen use today, since the leaves are very bitter. The flowers are mild tasting and slightly sweet, and can be used both in savoury and sweet dishes the nickname pot marigold comes from its popular use in the soup pot. When dried, its petals, which have been called poor mans saffron, can be used to create a natural dye or, funnily enough, in chicken feed to make egg yolks extra vibrant!

NAME
Calendula

VARIETY
Erfurter Orangefarbige

QUANTITY
45 seeds

PLANT SIZE
Height30 cm
Width30 cm

CONTAINER SIZE
Height25 cm
Width25 cm

COMPANION PLANT
All vegetables benefit from the presence of calendula especially tomatoes, radishes and carrots.

SOWING
IndoorFeb-Mar
OutdoorApr-June

TIMING
Germination7-15 days
Harvesting40-60 days

SPACING
When sowing3-5 cm; Depth 1 cm
When thinning3-5 cm

GROWING
SunligthFull sun
SoilWell-drained, light and moist soil
WateringRegular, moderate watering
FeedingLight feeder

CARING
Expert tipCalendula is adaptable and does not require a lot of maintenance, making it ideal for container gardens. Just beware, it will also re-seed readily and easily, so keep an eye on it if you dont want a calendula jungle on your balcony!

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