When did I start planting Calendula?

Looking back at my photo library, it looks like 2024 was the first year I put calendula in the garden. That was also the first and last time I seeded calendula. Now, it’s everywhere – around the fruit trees, along the back fence, and in the meadow. Thankfully, it’s easy to pull, just need to make sure to pull plant before it blooms.

Isn’t there’s a saying that goes something like, “you let a weed flower and you will be picking that weed for the next five years”? I think that is what’s happening here.

On contrary to a weed, calendula is a useful plant. I grew/grow it for medicinal purposes. If I remember right, I was looking for a self-seeder and this was it.

There are a ton of health benefits for this plant. I tend to dead-head flowers at peak bloom, pull the petals off, and let it dry. Then I store the dried petals in a mason jar and the petals can either be used for tea or to make it into an oil.

At the end of last year, I made an oil by infusing calendula in coconut oil. This usually calls for a neutral oil but since I’m going to use the coconut oil anyway. Anyway, I placed it in a make-shift double-boiler and steeped it under low heat for 4 hours. Then I mixed it with melted shea butter and whipped the mixture into a body butter for my skin. It really helps in my dry climate. I wouldn’t recommend this moisturizer for anyone in Texas or Florida as you have enough humidity down there to keep your skin plump and moist.

The Flower Hour