I see uses for Calendula in my books, but I have lots of Mariglds, which i guess aren't really pot marigolds like Calendula. Do you know a use for marigold?
Uses for Marigold?
Marigolds are a good bug repellant when interplanted with other plants. Edible Flowers lists the Signet marigold as edible with a warning not to eat in large amounts. It compares the taste of the Signet to a spicy tarragon. That book also has a selection of recipes for this marigold. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=signet+marigold&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
If you would be interested in the recipes, please let me know. pod
There is a Tangerine Gem marigold and a Lemon Gem marigold, which have edible petals. Yup, tangerine tastes like tangerine and lemon like well, lemon. Other than the Signet that Podster mentions, I don't believe other marigolds are edible. Calendula, though, what a venerable plant! It is 2008 herb of the year.
and, if you nibble a petal to see how tasty, trim off the white at the base of the petal. It will make it taste bitter.
Glad to hear the Calendual is the 2008 herb of the year ~ Herbalbetty. I just discovered it. It hasn't delivered lots of blooms here but I'm thinking it leans toward cooler weather. We'll see how it does this fall.
Calendula is nice and easy to grow in zone 5. I should read up on it. I know it can be used in a salve or lotion for rashes. Maybe I need some next year. I wonder when to plant seeds.
Calendula is really easy to grow and it does prefer cool weather. I direct sow mine in the garden about mid-May or so. I make a salve with it and an infused oil and a couple other things. It is also a good source of beta-carotene, so throw a few petals in your rice, soups, etc.
Mid-May. Direct sow. O.K. Seems like I heard somewhere that calendula, when fed to chickens, makes the egg yolks darker. Also heard that it is used sometimes as a substitute for saffron. Not much the same taste but probably for the color. I wouldn't be surprised if it could be used as a dye. Nice picture.
Thank you for the info. I do grow it it for the 'bad' nematodes.
Roy - Isn't it real warm in May in Santa Fe?
It can be warm then. It can also be cool. It is usually windy. June is generally hot. Our climate is similar to Denver. Our last frost date is May 15. I don't usually put out annuals untill that time.