Why We Grow Calendula

Hello everyone, 

As some of you, may know we have started growing calendula flowers here on the farm. Not just any calendula flowers but strawberry blonde calendula. The varies from the typical orange blossoms the plant is known for and instead, the top of the petal is white or slightly off white and the bottom is a vibrant pink/magenta. The center of the flower is also quite striking as it is a deep red/pink. Once started these flowers bloom quite prolifically if continuously deadheaded. So why do we grow calendula?

1. Its healing properties. Calendula is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. This makes it the perfect natural solution or cuts burns or scraps. It speeds up the healing process for such ailments. In order to get these benefits, the flower is first dried then submerged in oil. We typically use sweet almond oil. Once the flowers have steeped in the oil for several weeks the oil is ready to be strained and then it can be used straight on the skin or it can be mixed with beeswax or other like substances to create a salve or body butter. Look our for our calendula slave becoming available in the next few weeks. 

2. It attracts bees. As some of you may know we keep bees here on the farm and on summers like this that are especially dry every little bit of pollen we can provide for our bees is important.

3. It helps trap aphids. Although wee use marigolds in our bed to repel pests calendula is also known to attract aphids away from other plants that then become on. the sticky damp stem. 

We will be selling our harvest of dried calendula flowers in the near feature so look out for news on that. Are you interested in growing calendula or would like to know more? Drop a question or comment below!