Here in Central Texas, Calendula seeds should be planted in the fall in full sun. They will grow during a mild winter and reward you with early bright orange, sometimes yellow flowers that are close to the ground and daisy-like. During the heat of our summers, you might loose your Calendula crop, but a few of my plants have surprisingly survived over one or two summers. The flowers of Calendula are edible and quite beautiful in a fresh green salad. The flowers have anti-depressant properties (who could stay depressed just looking at these bright, sunny flowers). I use the flowers most often to make a soothing Calendula salve. I often make a simple Calendula salve, but sometimes combine this incredible herb with other herbs that are useful for skin problems. Applied externally Calendula salve will effectively treat burns, stop bleeding, soothe the pain of injuries and irritation, and promote the healing of wounds, insect bites and bruises. Calendula is also excellent for chapped lips, frostbite, hemorrhoids and a wide variety of skin disorders. Calendula can also be taken as a tea to reduce fevers, ease menstrual cramps and help promote healing of eruptive skin disorders like measles.

A miraculous little flower, Calendula has a permanent home in my garden. Last year on Valentine’s Day I had a Calendula flower blooming through the snow that fell that day  Calendula enjoys the cold weather and that is why it needs to be planted in the fall so we can enjoy its winter or early spring arrival.

So if you didn’t have the opportunity to plant seeds this past fall, go out and buy some 4 inch plants and transplant them in to your garden. Remember to collect the seeds so you’ll have a fresh crop every year. Happy New Year to all with prayers of health, well-being and continued growth in all ways.