FRENCH MARIGOLD Tagetes patula

I was never a fan of marigolds growing up. They just seemed so...common. They didn't have the majesty of the cut flowers nor the floral ambiance of others. However, as a gardener, I have come to adore these plants and have depended upon their presence as a pest repellant [wrong!] They are possibly the most important flower I grow.  

The main two varieties of marigold are French Tagetes patula and African Tagetes erecta. The heritage French varieties are smaller and supposedly more pest repellant. The showier newer varieties have lost much of their aromatic qualities. The African are larger and showier. I only grow French.

Research has shown that growing marigolds as a pest repellant is a gardening myth. However, most gardeners would disagree, as their anecdotal evidence is strong. This is most likely due not to repellant properties, but the attractant qualities that bring in beneficial insects that do their job. Same outcome.

Research does prove them beneficial in lowering plant-parasitic nematodes in soil.

Growing

Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow. They germinate easily, transplant well, direct sow well, are not picky about growing conditions and can handle heat.

They should not be grown in shade nor watered from overhead, as they are susceptible to powdery mildew. For more blooms, deadheading will help, but is not necessary.

They should NOT be grown with beans, as a chemical produced by their roots will stunt the growth of the beans.

uses

French marigold is planted in mass a season before planting tomatoes, garlic, onion, strawberry, snap bean, cucumber and squash to lower plant-parasitic nematodes. It is used prolifically by gardeners as a companion plant to attract beneficial insects and pollinators and as a trap crop for aphids and other pests.

It is used as an ornamental flower in containers, borders, and flower gardens. Marigolds can be used as a cut flower. Making sure to remove all leaves below the water line so they don't stink as the leaves rot quickly in water. The flowers can also be dried upside down and used in dried arrangements.

The only marigold that is edible is calendula. French and African marigolds are NOT EDIBLE nor medicinal.

Final Thoughts

I grow a LOT of marigolds for my garden and interplant them throughout my garden. I was very surprised to find out that research did not support marigolds as being pest repellant. As gardeners have said for so very many years, there is something about them that is beneficial to gardens. Whether it is as nematode control, trap crop, beneficial insect attractant, or just looking pretty, I will always have them prolific in my garden.

specs

Tgetes patula

Type: Annual

Uses: Beneficial insect attractant, reduce parasitic nematodes

Hardiness Zone: 2-11

Germination: Can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date

Seed Prep: None

Seed Depth: 1 inch

Germination Time: 7-14 days

Growing Temp: 70-75°F

Height: 6-24 inches Spread: 8-12 inches

Spacing: 8-10 inches

Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering, potential for powdery mildew in shade

Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant, don't over water

Soil Quality: Average, well-drained, but not picky

Soil Chemistry: 5.6-7.5

Fertilize: Not needed

Growth Rate: Fast, reaches full maturity in 8 weeks

Bloomtime: Summer Attracts: Pollinators; beneficial insects lady bugs, hover flies, parasitic wasps Critter Resistant: Repels plant-parasitic nematodes [proven], deer

Critter Attractant: Slugs, pest insects

Harvest: Flowers

Pruning: Pinch back early to encourage branching, deadhead regularly

Pests: Spider mites, aphids, Japanese beetles, white fly, rape blossom beetles, cutworms, white fringed beetle, lygus bug, six-spotted leafhopper, potato leafhopper, cyclamen mite, blister beetle

Diseases: Powdery mildew

Reseeds: Yes, aggressively

Propagation: Seeds

Garden Style: English cottage, wildflower, containers, border

Companions: Most vegetables, may inhibit the growth of some herbs and will stunt the growth of beans

Allergy Potential: Topical rash in some people

https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/magical-repelling-powers-of-marigolds-myth-or-fact/

https://www.britannica.com/video/174126/video-dahlia-flower-opening

https://www.gardenmyths.com/marigolds-companion-plant/

https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT87210014/PDF

GERMAN CHAMOMILE Matricaria chamomilla

The first time I grew chamomile, I fell in love. The scent, the taste and the look of the plant all just bring a bit of sunshine into even the most gloomy day. It is pretty, pollinator attracting, one of the most ancient medicinal plants and a must-have in the garden. I love the apple-y taste of the flowers and eat them right off the plant.

We are talking about German Chamomile, which is used as an herb. Roman Chamomile is used mainly as a perennial ground cover.

Growing

Chamomile likes cooler weather in the 60s, but is drought and heat tolerant. It is a very hardy plant that once established, and is difficult to neglect to death. As a self-seeding annual, it acts like a perennial in that once you plant it, you will have it back year after year. It prefers rich soil and to not be over watered. While it flowers more in full sun, in areas that have consistent temperatures over 100F, partial shade in the afternoon is recommended.

The seeds require light for germination and consistent moisture, so seeds are not covered. For this reason, starting indoors up to 6 weeks before last frost under a humidity dome may be the best bet on germination for a new bed. Since they reseed aggressively, you should only have to plant once and you'll get a continuous progression of volunteers.

Chamomile can get leggy and floppy, so it is not a good specimen or focal plant. It works best where more sturdy plants can help keep it propped up.

Reaching maturity at just 10 weeks, the flowers are harvested and eaten fresh, or dried or frozen for future use. The leaves are edible, but may be too bitter to taste.

uses

Chamomile is commonly paired with other herbs as a tea.

Final Thoughts

If you've never had fresh chamomile, you are in for a treat. The store bought teas just aren't the same. The smell and flavor are simply wonderful. A proliferation of daisy-like flowers swaying in the breeze, scenting the air with their lovely aroma, is an experience to be enjoyed.

specs

Matricaria chamomilla

Type: Annual

Uses: Medicinal, border, tea, edible flower, oil in beauty products & aromatherapy

Hardiness Zone: 2-9

Germination: Can be started indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date

Seed Prep:

Seed Depth: NONE, needs light to germinate

Germination Time: 7-14 days

Growing Temp: 60-68°F, doesn't do well over 100°F

Height: 8-24 inches Spread: 8-12 inches

Spacing: 8 inches

Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering, partial shade in intense heat areas

Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant, don't over water

Soil Quality: Rich organic

Soil Chemistry: 5.6-7.5

Fertilize: Not needed

Growth Rate: Fast, reaches full maturity in 10 weeks

Bloomtime: Summer Attracts: Butterflies, bees Critter Resistant: Repels cucumber pests, cabbage moth and mosquitos

Critter Attractant: Pollinators hoverflies, beneficial wasps, ladybugs, butterflies, bumble bees and honey bees

Harvest: Flowers, leaves but they may be bitter

Pruning: Deadhead regularly

Pests: Aphids and thrips rarely

Diseases: Botrytis blight,

Reseeds: Yes, aggressively

Propagation: Seeds

Garden Style: English cottage, wildflower

Companions: Brassicas and cucumber as pest deterrent; increases the essential oil basil, rosemary and mint produces when planted together

Allergy Potential: Rare cases of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) have occurred in people who consumed or came into contact with chamomile products. People are more likely to experience allergic reactions to chamomile if they're allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-chamomile-1402627

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile#:~:text=Rare%20cases%20of%20anaphylaxis%20(a,chrysanthemums%2C%20marigolds%2C%20or%20daisies.

https://www.growforagecookferment.com/10-reasons-to-grow-chamomile/

WOOLY LAMB'S EAR Stachys byzantina

Wooly lamb's ear is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family that is native to the middle East. It is a common plant in children's gardens because of the plumb fuzzy leaves that provide a wonderful sensory experience. It is also edible and has strong medicinal properties. 

Over my 20 years teaching I always had lamb's ear in the children's garden. Due to their "love" of the plant, it often would die back and the following spring we'd find a few babies in the yard to transplant back to where they belonged, and usually the parent plant would bounce back, too. I was very surprised to hear that it was considered potentially invasive. I think between the children, our hot summers and the high humidity it has been kept it in check where I have it planted. 

I was extremely surprised to learn that it has a wonderful flavor and such amazing uses. I am definitely putting it in a more comfortable environment this spring and propagating as much as possible. 

Growing

Lamb's ear likes it dry but not way too hot. Otherwise, it's a very forgiving plant as to soil type and acidity, watering, and sunlight. In good growing conditions, it can become invasive due to root propagation and seed dispersal. When you know how useful, tasty and healthy this plant is, having too much probably won't be an issue.

uses

In an emergency situation, lamb's ear can be used as a highly absorbent toilet paper or feminine hygiene product. It is a tasty edible and the young leaves can be directly used in a salad or the leaves steamed or stir fried with other greens. The dried leaves are a tasty addition to tea blends or even on their own with a little vanilla extract.

It is used as a poultice, wound treatment, wound bandage, and hemorrhoids treatment, its topical medicinal uses are said to be many.

Lamb’s ear has been used as a natural dye for wool. Boiling the leaves in hot water and then adding a mordant, brings out a fabulous, creamy, yellowish beige. Using the bracts (flower spike) instead of the leaves, a light mauve can be attained.

Source: The Chippewa Herald found on New Life on a Homestead

Final Thoughts

So I had never eaten it before. I just went out and grabbed a young leaf to see how it tasted. It's...GOOD. The fleshy leaves have some umph to them and are a bit chewy, not in a bad way. The taste is pleasant but a very "greens" flavor while eating it, but with hints of apple and pineapple. Immediately after eating it I tasted more of a pineapple flavor and after several minutes, the taste mellowed to more of an apple finish. I HIGHLY recommend!!

sPECS

Stachys byzantina

Type: Perennial

Uses: Border, edible, topical treatment

Hardiness Zone: 4-9

Germination: Can be started indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost and transplanted out after frost date

Seed Prep: None, direct sow after threat of frost

Seed Depth: None, must have light to germinate, do not cover

Germination Time: 30 days

Growing Temp: 50 degrees

Height: 1-1 1/2 feet Spread: 1-1 1/2 feet

Spacing: 1 1/2 foot

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade, prefer shade in hotter climates Water Requirements: Average, drought tolerant, water at base

Soil Quality: Well drained but not picky, grow better in richer soil

Soil Chemistry: Not picky, prefer 6-6.5pH

Fertilize: Top dress lightly with compost in spring, do not over fertilize if in containers

Growth Rate: Up to 2 years for blooms

Bloomtime: Late spring - early summer

Flowers: Small, light purple on talk stalks, remove to keep leaves healthy

Leaf color: Silver grayish green Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, bumblebees drink dew off leaves, butterflies Critter Resistant: Deer, rabbits

Critter Attractant: Rollie pollie to dying leaves

Harvest: New leaves for eating, leaves of any size for drying for teas, salves and tinctures

Pruning: Remove leaves if wilted & browning

Mulch: Mulch to keep bottom leaves dry and free of rot

Pests: Rollie pollie/sow bug/pill bug will feed on rotting leaves, remove leaves and place diatomaceous earth around plant; nematodes can invade and plant will need to be disposed of as they will kill it

Diseases: Leaf rot and powdery mildew in humid or wet conditions, water at base, works well in terra cotta pots to stay drier

Reseeds: Yes

Propagation: Stem node rooting or root division, seeds

Garden Style: Children's gardens, English cottage, borders, containers, butterfly garden, ground cover, house plant

Companions: Low water needs plants like yarrow, salvia, nepeta

Allergy Potential: Should not be an allergen plant, but some have posted allergic reactions. However, they may be confusing lamb's ear with lamb's quarter which is toxic.

Cullinary Use: Taste is a mix of apple and pineapple, in Brazil known as lambari and edible herb leaves fried and sprinkled with lemon, can add young leaves to salad, steam or stir fry with other greens

Other: Can be grown under black walnut

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stachys-byzantina/

https://www.thespruce.com/lambs-ears-uses-how-to-care-and-control-2132610

http://raincountryhomestead.blogspot.com/2017/12/wonderful-uses-an

https://ourpermaculturelife.com/edible-medicinal-ornamental-herb-lam

https://www.newlifeonahomestead.com/lambs-ear-medicinal-uses/bs-ear/d-benefits-of-wooly.html