Suffolk Herbs Pot Marigold

Pot Marigold is a showy annual herb which has many uses. Numerous, aromatic orange petals similar to a daisy. The petals have a very delicate taste, which is pretty similar to that of a tangerine, and will add a beautiful orange colouring to rice and other dishes. The bright flowers make a salad look inviting and unusual. The flowers can also be used as cut flowers around the house or as part of a bouquet. A valuable medicinal plant as the flowers have antiseptic and healing properties which is used in ointments and creams. Amongst other uses, the flowers yield a yellow dye for cloth.

Annual herb.

Height: 30-60cm (1-2ft)

When to Sow Marigold Pot Seeds
March to April.

Sowing
Seeds can be sown directly into bed, border of box through the spring and summer. The seed is large and may be spaced apart so as not to require thinning. Will grow in any good, light, rich garden soil but prefers full sun. Add compost to soil if necessary, then more can be added once the plant is established, and if transplanted.
The plant is not tender to frost. Sow Marigold pot seeds directly into the garden in the spring in shallow drills or scatter the seed and rake in. Also can be grown in pots and window boxes outdoors. In mild areas, sow in the autumn for mid to late spring flowers. These plant should bloom within 2 months.

What to do next
Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart when they are big enough to handle. Flowers not removed will reseed themselves. Flowers from June to November, and the seeds ripen from August to November.

Harvest
The flowers when dry and fully open.