Calendula in Zone 8B — Florida

Calendula is a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. Its cheerful blooms add color, the petals are edible in salads, and you can even use them to make soothing skin balms. Plus, they attract beneficial insects that help keep pests in check, making them a valuable companion plant in your vegetable garden.

Our Florida gardening calendar is different, with summer being the slow season. But don't worry, Calendula thrives during our cooler months. With our long, 303-day growing season, you have plenty of time to enjoy these beauties if you time it right.

Starting Calendula indoors isn't essential here in Florida, but it can give you a head start. If you want to get a jump on the season, sow seeds indoors from mid December through early January, about six weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This is especially useful if you want earlier blooms.

Use seed trays or small pots filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist, and use bottom watering to avoid damping off. Place the trays in a warm spot with plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Remember our spring character is reversed, so getting a head start in our "winter" can be advantageous.

Transplant your Calendula seedlings outdoors from early February through mid March, once they have a few sets of true leaves. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sunlight and temperatures.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade, and space the plants 8-12 inches apart. Be mindful of any late cold snaps that can sometimes occur in early February, and protect your young plants if necessary.

Direct sowing Calendula is easy and often the preferred method in Florida. You can direct sow seeds from early February through mid October, giving you a long window of opportunity. Just keep in mind that summer heat might slow them down.

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Lightly rake the soil surface and sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep, spacing them 8-12 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Direct sowing is great because you don't have to worry about disturbing the roots during transplanting.

Calendula needs moderate watering, but it's not very drought-tolerant, especially here in Florida's hot and humid climate. During our drier spring and fall months, aim to water deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Use the "finger test" – if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, it's time to water.

In the wet summer months, you might not need to water at all, as our rainfall usually takes care of it. However, keep an eye on your plants during dry spells. With our very-high humidity, it's best to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering, on the other hand, can lead to root rot, which is common in our humid environment. To help retain moisture and suppress weeds, apply a layer of mulch around your Calendula plants. Pine straw or wood chips work well in our sandy soil.

Regular pruning, specifically deadheading, is key to keeping your Calendula plants blooming throughout the season. Remove spent flowers as soon as they start to fade to encourage the plant to produce more blooms. Simply pinch or cut off the flower heads just below the stem.

If you want your Calendula to self-seed, leave a few flowers to mature and dry on the plant. The seeds will drop and germinate in the fall or early spring. As our first frost approaches around mid- December, you can let the remaining flowers go to seed or pull up the plants to clean up the garden.

You can expect your first Calendula harvest about 45 days after planting, typically from mid March through late December in Florida. Harvest the flowers when they are fully open, ideally in the morning after the dew has dried.

Gently pinch or cut off the flower heads, leaving a short stem attached. The petals are edible and can be added to salads or used to make tea. For medicinal purposes, dry the petals by spreading them out on a screen or tray in a cool, dark place.

To encourage continued production, harvest the flowers regularly. As the end of the season approaches and the first frost looms around mid- December, harvest any remaining flowers before they are damaged by the cold.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Calendula in Florida:

• Powdery Mildew:
• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems. Leaves curl, yellow, and die.
• What causes it: Fungi thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces favor it. Our humidity can make this a challenge.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation with spacing and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is effective.
• Aphids:
• What it looks like: Clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew residue. Curled or distorted new growth.
• What causes it: Rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects. Populations explode in warm weather. Ant colonies may farm them.
• How to fix/prevent it: Strong water spray knocks them off. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings. Insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. Neem oil works systemically.
• Whiteflies:
• What it looks like: Tiny white, moth-like insects that fly up when disturbed. Yellowing or silvering of leaves. Sticky honeydew residue.
• What causes it: Sap-sucking insects that thrive in warm, humid conditions. They can quickly build up large populations.
• How to fix/prevent it: Yellow sticky traps can help catch adults. Strong water sprays can dislodge them. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be used for heavier infestations.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot heat and very-high humidity during the summer months can create the perfect conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize these issues. Also, nematodes can be a problem in our sandy soil, so consider using nematode-resistant varieties or amending the soil with organic matter.

Calendula makes excellent companion plants in the Florida garden! Planting them near tomatoes and peppers can help deter pests like tomato hornworms and aphids. The strong scent of Calendula confuses the pests, making it harder for them to find their target plants.

Calendula is also a great companion for green beans, as it attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on bean aphids. Avoid planting Calendula near plants that are susceptible to the same diseases, as this can increase the risk of spreading infections.