How to Use Calendulas as Companion Plants
Calendulas are easy to grow and they make a cheerful addition to just about any garden. Old myths and legends say if you grow and eat calendula petals, you may just see fairies, too! Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Calendula will self-sew each year if you leave some of the flower heads on the plant. You can sew them in early spring and in cool climates they will bloom until the first frosts. It's best to cut them back to about three inches high after they bloom to stimulate growth and more blooming.
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Calendula makes a good companion to herb and vegetable gardens because it repels tomato hornwoms and asparagus beetles. It also attracts caterpillars, leafhoppers, aphids, and whiteflies, so you can plant it away from your main garden to trap these pests. The flowers also attract beneficial insects like bees.
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Calendula doesn't have any known enemies, except dogs, who do not seem to like the scent of the flowers.
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Plant calendula in well-drained soil in full sun. They don't need a lot of fertilizer, but a watering with fish emulsion during the growing season can't hurt.
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Plant them in a location that you can enjoy them often while your in and outside of the home.
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