I bet you didn’t know you could grow Marigolds year-round. -indoors-! I just started doing this about a year ago. The trick is to keep them by a bright southerly window. They still get a bit tall and spindly, but they will grow fast and produce flowers! Here is a picture of some I have had growing about 4 weeks. Not super fast growth, but it does keep spring alive in our home through the winter!

New World natives, marigolds were the sacred flowers of the Aztecs. They attributed magical, religious, an medicinal properties to the marigolds. The marigold was taken from the Azteks by early Spanish explorers to Spain. These cultivars were grown in monastery gardens. From Spain they made their way to France and northern Africa. In the early 20th century they were introduced to the American gardener, making a full circle where they are one of the most popular garden flowers today.

Bright yellow, orange and red marigold blends make a fantastic border for your vegetable garden. They prefer rich light soil and a sunny location. They take 45-60 days to germinate and will flower all summer long.
Marigold (Calendula) can be used in fish and meat soups, rice dishes, salads and as a coloring for cheese and butter. This flower is also used to heal wounds, including internal and external ulcers, improves blood flow, and is an antifungal agent used to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm and candida.

-Pete Skenandore

via ProBlogPartners.com