Top 10 Affordable Edible Spring Flowers to Grow and Enjoy

3. Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Nature’s Golden Healer

A photo of a golden calendula flower with a black background. The flower has a bright yellow center and orange petals. The petals are arranged in a spiral pattern. The background is dark and has a few green leaves.

Let me tell you about my journey with calendula – it’s been quite the adventure! I first discovered these cheerful orange and yellow blooms when I was searching for natural remedies for my daughter’s sensitive skin. Little did I know these flowers would become one of my garden’s most valuable plants.

Growing Your Own Healing Garden

You know what’s amazing about calendula? It’s practically foolproof to grow! I learned this the hard way after killing countless other herbs (yes, I’m looking at you, finicky basil). These sturdy little flowers will grow in almost any soil condition, though they really thrive in well-draining soil with full sun.

To start from seed, I simply scatter them directly in the garden after the last frost. Here’s a pro tip I wish I’d known earlier: space the seeds about 12 inches apart. I used to crowd them together, but giving them room to breathe makes such a difference in flower production!

Medicinal Magic and Uses

The real magic of calendula lies in its healing properties. I’ve been making my own calendula-infused oil for years now, and it’s become a staple in my natural medicine cabinet. Here’s what I use it for:

Skin healing: Perfect for minor cuts and scrapes
Inflammation reduction: Great for soothing irritated skin
Natural moisturizer: Wonderful in homemade lip balms
Fun fact: The ancient Romans used calendula to treat scorpion bites!

Harvesting and Preservation Methods

Let me share my favorite drying technique that took me way too long to figure out! Harvest the flower heads in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. I learned this timing trick after losing several batches to mold (rookie mistake).

For preservation, I use two methods:

Air drying: Hang bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space
Dehydrator method: 95°F for about 12-14 hours (this preserves the most medicinal properties)

Companion Planting Success

Here’s something cool – calendula is like the social butterfly of the garden! I’ve found it works wonderfully when planted near:

Tomatoes (helps repel pests)
Carrots (improves growth)
Cucumbers (provides ground cover)

The flowers actually help attract beneficial insects while deterring some common garden pests. Talk about a multi-tasking plant!

Want to know another garden superhero that’s just as easy to grow? Coming up next, we’ll explore the surprisingly versatile dandelion – yep, that “weed” in your yard is actually a powerhouse of nutrition and healing properties! Click the next button below to discover why I deliberately let these sunny yellow flowers take over part of my garden, and learn some amazing ways to use them in your kitchen and medicine cabinet.