How to grow calendula in a raised bed

Calendula (pot marigold) is the hardworking, cheerful edible flower every veggie patch should have — it blooms for months, its petals brighten salads, and it pulls in hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks to flower

When to plant: Calendula is very easy — sow directly in autumn and spring. It flowers through the cooler months and self-seeds readily. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: Sow seed straight into the mix. Deadhead spent flowers regularly and it'll bloom for months on end. It's tough, undemanding and thrives on a bit of neglect.

How to use it: The golden petals are edible, adding colour to salads, rice and butter, and calendula has a long history in skin balms. In the garden, it's a magnet for beneficial insects.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, though flowers are seldom much bothered. See our safe pest guide.

Common problems: the main one to watch is powdery mildew, usually in damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow prevents most.

Where to plant it: Dot it through the veggie beds to draw in beneficials; a good all-round companion. See our companion planting guide.

More growing guides: nasturtiums, cosmos and cornflowers.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.