Calendula: The Best Companion Plant For Your Vegetables

Calendula: The Best Companion Plant for Your Vegetables

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a beautiful and versatile flower that has many benefits for the vegetable garden. It is a hardy annual that is easy to grow and care for, and it can be used to attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and improve soil health.

In this blog post, we will discuss the many benefits of using calendula as a companion plant for vegetables. We will also provide some tips on how to plant and care for calendula in your garden.

Benefits of Calendula as a Companion Plant

• Attracts beneficial insects. Calendula is a magnet for beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These insects prey on pests that can damage vegetable plants, such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
• Repels pests. Calendula also releases a chemical compound that repels some pests, such as nematodes and tomato hornworms.
• Improves soil health. Calendula is a good source of nitrogen, which can help to improve the fertility of your soil. It also helps to suppress weeds and diseases.
• Discourages root rot. Calendula can help to discourage root rot in tomatoes and other plants by releasing a substance that inhibits the growth of the fungus that causes root rot.
• Flourish in poor soil. Calendula is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can thrive in poor soil. This makes it a good choice for gardens that are not getting a lot of nutrients.

How to Plant and Care for Calendula

Calendula is easy to plant and care for. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, but it will benefit from regular watering. Calendula does not need to be fertilized often, but you can give it a light application of fertilizer once a month during the growing season.

To plant calendula, sow the seeds directly in the garden about 1/2 inch deep and 12 inches apart. Calendula seeds will germinate in about 7-10 days. The flowers will bloom about 6-8 weeks after planting.

Harvesting Calendula

Calendula flowers can be harvested when they are fully open. To harvest, simply snip off the flower heads with a pair of scissors. Calendula flowers can be used fresh or dried. If you are drying the flowers, hang them upside down in a dark, dry place.

Using Calendula

Calendula flowers can be used in a variety of ways. They can be added to salads, soups, and stews. They can also be made into tea or infused oil. Calendula flowers have a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

In addition to its culinary uses, calendula has a number of medicinal properties. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of skin conditions, including cuts, scrapes, burns, and eczema. Calendula can also be used to relieve pain and inflammation.

Conclusion

Calendula is a versatile and beneficial plant that can be used in a variety of ways. It is a great choice for companion planting in the vegetable garden, and it can also be used for culinary and medicinal purposes. If you are looking for a hardy and easy-to-grow plant that can add beauty and benefit to your garden, calendula is a great option.

Calendula is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways, including as a companion vegetable. Companion planting is the practice of planting certain plants together to enhance each other's growth and deter pests. Calendula is a great companion plant for many vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, asparagus, and potatoes. It helps to repel pests such as aphids, nematodes, and tomato worms. Calendula also attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which help to control pests.

If you're interested in learning more about calendula companion vegetables, visit this website: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/companion-planting-with-annuals. This website has a comprehensive list of companion plants for calendula, as well as information on the benefits of companion planting.

FAQ of calendula companion vegetables

• What are the best companion vegetables for calendula?

Calendula is a great companion plant for a variety of vegetables, including:

• Carrots: Calendula helps to repel carrot root fly, a common pest of carrots.

• Cucumbers: Calendula helps to attract pollinators, which are important for cucumbers to set fruit.

• Potatoes: Calendula helps to repel potato beetles, a common pest of potatoes.

• Tomatoes: Calendula helps to attract pollinators, which are important for tomatoes to set fruit. It also helps to repel nematodes, which can damage tomato roots.

• Asparagus: Calendula helps to repel asparagus beetles, a common pest of asparagus.

• What are the benefits of companion planting with calendula?

There are many benefits to companion planting with calendula, including:

• Pest control: Calendula helps to repel a variety of pests, including aphids, beetles, nematodes, and spider mites.

• Pollinator attraction: Calendula attracts pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are important for vegetable pollination.

• Disease suppression: Calendula helps to suppress the growth of some soil-borne diseases.

• Improved growth: Calendula can help to improve the growth of some vegetables by providing them with nutrients and attracting beneficial insects.

• Visual appeal: Calendula is a beautiful flower that can add visual interest to a vegetable garden.

• How do I plant calendula with other vegetables?

When planting calendula with other vegetables, it is important to consider the size and growth habit of both plants. Calendula is a relatively short plant, so it is a good choice for planting between taller vegetables, such as tomatoes or cucumbers. Calendula can also be planted around the edges of a vegetable bed to help deter pests.

• How far apart should I plant calendula and other vegetables?

The spacing requirements for calendula and other vegetables will vary depending on the specific plants involved. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should space calendula plants about 6 inches apart and other vegetables about 12-18 inches apart.

• What are some other good companion plants for vegetables?

In addition to calendula, there are many other good companion plants for vegetables. Some popular choices include:

• Basil: Basil helps to repel aphids, mosquitoes, and flies. It also helps to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Cilantro: Cilantro helps to repel aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It also helps to improve the flavor of carrots and tomatoes.
• Garlic: Garlic helps to repel a variety of pests, including aphids, beetles, and nematodes. It also helps to improve the flavor of onions and tomatoes.
• Marigolds: Marigolds help to repel a variety of pests, including nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies. They also help to attract pollinators.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums help to repel aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. They also help to attract pollinators.

Image of calendula companion vegetables

10 different images of calendula companion vegetables that are free to use:

1. Beans. Calendula is a good companion plant for beans because it helps to repel aphids, which are a common pest of beans.
2. Carrots. Calendula can help to improve the flavor of carrots and also helps to deter carrot fly.
3. Cucumbers. Calendula can help to repel cucumber beetles, which are a common pest of cucumbers.
4. Eggplant. Calendula can help to repel flea beetles, which are a common pest of eggplant.
5. Kale. Calendula can help to repel cabbage moths, which are a common pest of kale.
6. Lettuce. Calendula can help to repel aphids, which are a common pest of lettuce.
7. Melons. Calendula can help to repel cucumber beetles, which are a common pest of melons.
8. Peas. Calendula is a good companion plant for peas because it helps to repel aphids, which are a common pest of peas.
9. Potatoes. Calendula can help to repel potato bugs, which are a common pest of potatoes.
10. Tomatoes. Calendula can help to repel tomato hornworms, which are a common pest of tomatoes.

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