Pink Surprise Calendula Seeds

Direct sow Calendula Pink Surprise seeds outdoors 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost, because the seedlings actually prefer cool weather and resent being coddled indoors. If you do start them inside, give them 6–8 weeks before transplant. Sow them about 1/4 inch deep into moist soil and cover properly, because calendula germinates in darkness. Soil temperature of 60–70°F gives you sprouts in 7–14 days,Thin seedlings to 12–15 inches apart once sets of true leaves show. Sow seeds second time in late summer to have them bloom in fall.

The plants need full sun, at least 6 hours daily, though in genuinely hot climates a bit of afternoon shade keeps the pink tones from bleaching out. They will grow in almost any soil, but well-drained ground with moderate fertility gives you sturdier stems and a longer bloom — overly rich soil pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers, so skip the fertilizer entirely. Calendula Pink Surprise flowers don’t like waterlogged, heavy clay, so if that's what your garden has, raise the bed or amend with grit. Water deeply when the top inch of soil dries out, usually once or twice a week depending on weather. Once established the plants became drought-tolerant.

Pinch out the first flush of buds when plants reach 6–8 inches tall to encourage side branching early. Deadhead spent flowers every few days, because the moment calendula starts setting seed it throttles back hard on producing new flowers. Pick blooms fully open in the morning after the dew has lifted, and dry them face-up on a screen in a dark, ventilated place for 7–10 days. Stored in sealed jars out of light, dried petals keep their color and medicinal value for around a year.