Calendula is a beautiful annual flower that grows to be 1 to 3 feet tall and has yellow or orange blossoms. It is known to have medical properties such as relieving the pain of a bee stinghttp://www.horizonherbs.com/pilot.asp?pg=calendula. The Calendula is also known as the Pot Marigold due to the fact that it grows just as good in a container garden as it does in a flower gardenhttp://www.ienica.net/crops/calendula.htm.

The seeds from the Calendula are easy to grow and can be sown directly into the flower garden any time after the final frost of the yearhttp://www.horizonherbs.com/pilot.asp?pg=calendula, and the flowers start blooming about 40 to 50 days after the seeds have germinatedhttp://www.horizonherbs.com/pilot.asp?pg=calendula. Since they reseed themselves, you probably won't need to grow any more.

The Calendula does require moist soil to do well, and should be planted in partial shade to full sunhttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/calendula_officinilalis.html. They can tolerate light frost and will keep blooming until a hard frosthttp://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/annuals/calendula_officinilalis.html.

This flower has two downfalls: insects are attracted to them, and they are also subject to disease. Aphids are the most common insect problem, and mildew is the most common diseasehttp://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/calendula.htm. Other than that, Calendula will make a beautiful addition to your window boxes, flower pots, or flowerbed.

Calendulas are very easy to start from seed. They can be started indoors to get a headstart and be transplanted later, or directly outside after the final frost of the season.

To start outdoors:

1. After the final frost of the season has passed, it's time to start planting the flower garden, and the perfect time to plant Calendula outdoors!
2. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a shovel or tiller. Although Calendula will grow in poor to average soilhttp://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/calendula.htm, they do best in rich soil that drains well. You can raise the quality of your soil easily by mixing in some compost or manure.
3. Sow the seed approximately 15 inches apart and cover them with approximately 1/4 inch of soilhttp://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/calendula.htm.
4. Water the seeds, making sure they don't get washed away.
5. The seeds should germinate in about 1 to 2 weeks depending on soil and weather conditionshttp://www.yankeegardener.com/seeds/hartseed15.html.

Starting the seeds indoors:

1. Calendula seeds should be started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the final frost of the season.
2. Fill the pots you will be starting the seeds in with a good seed starting potting soil mix. Leave about 1/2 inch from the top to have room for watering.
3. Plant the seeds approximately 1/4 inchhttp://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/calendula.htm deep.
4. Water the soil and keep it moist during the germination process.
5. The seeds should germinate in about 1 to 2 weeks.

If you started your Calendua indoors, they can be transplanted to the flowerbed as soon as the final frost of the season is over.

1. Although the Calendula can tolerate any soil, it is best to plant them in nice rich soil. If the soil in your flower garden is poor to average, mix in some compost or manure before you plant the flowershttp://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/calendula.htm.
2. After you have amended the soil, dig a hole deep enough for the Calendula root ball to fit in. Loosen the soil a little deeper than the plant needs to give the roots some room to grow.
3. If you are planting them close together, leave about 12 inches in between the plants to allow them to spread outhttp://www.yankeegardener.com/seeds/hartseed15.html.
4. Unless you started the seeds in peat pots, remove the seedling from the pot and make sure it isn't root bound. If it is, loosen up the roots by gently pulling them apart with your hand. If you did start them in peat pots, the entire pot can be planted into the ground. The roots will grow through the pot and the pot will dissolve.
5. Place the plant into the hole and fill in the soil around the roots. Cover the entire root ball up to the base of the plant.
6. Give the plant a good drink of water so the soil is good and moist.
7. Optionally, fertilize the plant with some liquid fertilizer.

Calendula is a beautiful flower that can be used to treat many different things. However, it does require some care to keep it happy.

Calendula are prone to insects such as Aphids, Whiteflies, Tarnished Plant Bugs, etc. These insects can be taken care of with a pesticide or a home made soap sprayhttp://www.gardenguides.com/99597-insects-attack-calendula.html.

The plants are also prone to disease such as mildew. Use a fungicide to get rid of the mildew as soon as you see it so it doesn't spread and kill the flowerhttp://www.ienica.net/crops/calendula.htm.

Deadhead to keep new blooms coming and coming. This plant will bloom until it is wiped out by the frost!

If you don't want these flowers to reseed themselves, remove the spent flowers before they have a chance to go to seed.

If you plan on harvesting and reusing the seeds, it is best to keep them in storage for about six months so they have a chance to dry outhttp://www.horizonherbs.com/pilot.asp?pg=calendula.

If you live in a hotter climate, try to plant the Calendula in an area where they will get some shade during the afternoon. Calendula actually prefer cooler temperatures.

Keep the soil moist since these plants like moist soil. A layer of mulch can be put down to help keep moisture in the soil and keep the weeds down.