Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The last of the calendula

I'm afraid these will be the last of the calendula from my garden this year. Yesterday they were buds which were not quite open, but almost. I decided to cut them and stick them in a cup of water.

Today they opened up beautifully - only to be tied together and hung upside down to dry out, I'm afraid.

There are a few more tight, green buds still on my plants, but I think that with nights set to dip into the 20's before the week is out, my calendula is probably done for.

My mere handful of plants really produced a bounty this year. I grew them from seeds which I had saved from the year before.

I'm already looking forward to next year's garden.

4 comments:

joco said...

Hiya,
Aren't we all.
Too much grey and too much cold.

Do you call these 'Pot Marigolds'? I wonder where the pot bit comes from.

The verification word fits the post, partially at least:
extr(a) in wa (ter)

ICQB said...

Hi Jo!

Yes, Calendula officinalis is also known as pot marigold. I don't know where the pot comes from. Maybe they're easy to grow in pots? And they're not the same as the marigold that usually comes to mind - but they have similar coloring.

Adrienne said...

I just love that color!

ICQB said...

Hi adrienne!

I know - it's so rich, and almost glows. I always hate clipping them to bring them inside and dry them. But I love the calendula salve I make with them. I once cut the tippy end of one of my fingers off with a new (and sharp!) potato peeler. With my salve and a little pampering, my finger was as good as new in 1 week. I love my calendula salve!