The Ultimate Guide To Companion Planting With Calendula

The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting with Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a cheerful and versatile annual flower that can be grown in a variety of gardens. It is not only beautiful, but it also has a number of practical benefits. Calendula is a great companion plant for many other vegetables and herbs, and it can help to deter pests, attract pollinators, and improve soil health.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of companion planting with calendula, as well as some of the best plants to grow alongside it. We will also provide tips on how to plant and care for calendula, so that you can enjoy its beauty and bounty for years to come.

Benefits of Companion Planting with Calendula

There are many reasons to consider companion planting with calendula. Here are a few of the benefits:

• Attracts pollinators: Calendula is a magnet for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. These beneficial insects help to pollinate your other plants, which can lead to increased yields.
• Deters pests: Calendula has a strong scent that can repel some common garden pests, such as aphids, beetles, and nematodes.
• Improves soil health: Calendula is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that it helps to add nitrogen to the soil. This can benefit other plants in your garden, as nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth.
• Discourages mildew: Calendula is resistant to mildew, which can be a problem for some other garden plants. Planting calendula near susceptible plants can help to protect them from mildew.
• Adds beauty: Calendula is a beautiful flower that can add color and interest to any garden. It can be used as a border plant, an edging plant, or even as a cut flower.

Best Plants to Grow with Calendula

Calendula can be grown with a variety of other plants, but some of the best companions include:

• Asparagus: Calendula can help to repel asparagus beetle larvae.
• Beans: Calendula can help to attract beneficial insects that prey on aphids, which can be a problem for beans.
• Broccoli: Calendula can help to improve the taste of broccoli.
• Carrots: Calendula can help to repel carrot fly larvae.
• Cucumbers: Calendula can help to attract pollinators that pollinate cucumbers.
• Potatoes: Calendula can help to repel potato beetles.
• Pumpkins: Calendula can help to attract pollinators that pollinate pumpkins.
• Squash: Calendula can help to attract pollinators that pollinate squash.
• Tomatoes: Calendula can help to repel tomato hornworms.

How to Plant and Care for Calendula

Calendula is a relatively easy plant to grow. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some partial shade. It is also not too fussy about soil type, but it does best in well-drained soil.

To plant calendula, sow the seeds directly in the ground about ¼ inch deep. Space the seeds about 6 inches apart. Calendula seeds will germinate in about 7-10 days.

Calendula does not require a lot of water. Water it regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Calendula is also not a heavy feeder, so you do not need to fertilize it often.

Calendula blooms from early summer to late fall. Once the flowers have faded, you can deadhead them to encourage more blooms. Calendula plants can be overwintered in mild climates, but they are usually grown as annuals.

Conclusion

Calendula is a versatile and beneficial plant that can be grown in a variety of gardens. It is a great companion plant for many other vegetables and herbs, and it can help to deter pests, attract pollinators, and improve soil health. If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that can also benefit your garden, calendula is a great option.

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in both the garden and the kitchen. It is also a great companion plant for a variety of other vegetables, helping to deter pests and attract beneficial insects.

If you are looking for more information about companion planting with calendula, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a wealth of information on the topic, including a list of plants that are compatible with calendula, as well as tips on how to plant and care for this beneficial herb.

In addition to its companion planting benefits, calendula also has a number of other uses. The flowers can be used to make a tea that is said to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. The petals can also be infused in oil to make a natural salve or cream.

Whether you are looking for a beautiful addition to your garden or a natural way to boost your health, calendula is a great plant to consider. I encourage you to visit Gardenia Inspiration to learn more about this versatile herb.

FAQ of companion plant calendula

1. What is calendula a good companion plant for?

Calendula is a great companion plant for many other vegetables, including beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, pumpkins, and tomatoes. It can help to deter pests, attract pollinators, and improve the overall health of your plants.

2. What are the benefits of companion planting with calendula?

There are many benefits to companion planting with calendula. Some of the most common benefits include:

• Deterrent to pests: Calendula can help to deter pests such as aphids, beetles, and cabbage moths. The strong scent of calendula flowers is unpleasant to many pests, and they will often avoid plants that are growing near calendula.
• Attractant to pollinators: Calendula flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. These pollinators help to pollinate your other plants, which can lead to increased yields.
• Improver of soil health: Calendula is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that it can help to improve the nitrogen content of your soil. This can benefit the growth of your other plants.
• Disease resistance: Calendula has some resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew and black spot. Planting calendula near other plants can help to protect them from these diseases.

3. How do I plant calendula as a companion plant?

When planting calendula as a companion plant, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, choose a location that receives full sun. Calendula is a sun-loving plant and will not thrive in shade. Second, plant calendula in well-drained soil. Calendula is not tolerant of wet soil and can develop root rot if it is planted in soggy soil. Third, space your calendula plants about 12 inches apart. This will give them enough room to grow and spread.

4. What are some common mistakes to avoid when companion planting with calendula?

There are a few common mistakes to avoid when companion planting with calendula. First, do not plant calendula near plants that are susceptible to rust. Calendula can actually spread rust to other plants, so it is best to avoid planting it near susceptible plants. Second, do not plant calendula near plants that require a lot of water. Calendula does not like wet soil, so planting it near water-loving plants can lead to root rot.

5. What are some additional tips for companion planting with calendula?

Here are a few additional tips for companion planting with calendula:

• Plant calendula near vegetables that are susceptible to pests. Calendula's strong scent can help to deter pests from these vegetables.
• Plant calendula near vegetables that require pollination. Calendula's flowers are attractive to pollinators, which can help to pollinate your other vegetables.
• Plant calendula near vegetables that benefit from improved soil health. Calendula is a nitrogen-fixing plant, which can help to improve the nitrogen content of your soil.
• Plant calendula near vegetables that are susceptible to disease. Calendula has some resistance to diseases, so planting it near susceptible vegetables can help to protect them.

Image of companion plant calendula

Here are 5 images of companion plants for calendula from Pinterest:

• Calendula and tomatoes: Calendula helps to repel tomato hornworms and nematodes, which are two common pests of tomatoes.
• Calendula and cucumbers: Calendula helps to attract beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests, such as aphids and whiteflies.
• Calendula and peas: Calendula helps to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which is beneficial for peas.
• Calendula and asparagus: Calendula helps to deter asparagus beetles, which are a common pest of asparagus.
• Calendula and spring salad vegetables: Calendula helps to repel aphids and other pests that can damage spring salad vegetables.