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Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes: Edible calendula attracts good insects

Dear Helen: I’ve noticed in your columns that you are fond of calendulas. When do you plant the seeds? Indoors or out? What varieties would you recommend? C.D.

Dear Helen: I’ve noticed in your columns that you are fond of calendulas. When do you plant the seeds? Indoors or out? What varieties would you recommend?

C.D.

Calendula is an old-fashioned, easy-growing flower that brings sunny colours to ornamental and food gardens. The blooms feed beneficial insects and the petals are edible. What’s not to like?

I seed outdoors in March. Left to ripen and shed seeds, the plants perpetuate themselves for bloom close to year round. Ripe seeds are also easy to gather and save for future sowings and for sharing with friends.

A great number of lovely varieties are available. Zeolights (West Coast Seeds) is a show stopper with double pinky-orange and maroon flowers. Victoria Sunset (Veseys Seeds) is a stunner in burnt orange. Princess Mix (William Dam) has lovely crested centres. Alpha (Johnny’s Selected Seeds) has bright orange, sunflower-like blooms. Salt Spring Seeds has a beautiful calendula mixture of yellows and oranges. There are many more.

Dear Helen: On a gardening show recently I heard about “Watermelon” radishes. Do you know of this radish type? Where can I find seeds?

B.B.

Several seed sources that I use regularly list Watermelon radish, some under the name ‘Red Meat.’ This is an heirloom Oriental daikon that takes longer than regular radishes to mature.

There is much confusing information on growing watermelon radishes. Some indicate a usual seeding as for other radishes in early spring. Others specify that these radishes are suitable for midsummer sowing only, and fall harvesting. The roots size up and become sweeter with the cooling temperatures of late summer and early autumn.

I tried growing Watermelon radish only once. They did not do well for me from a spring sowing. If I were to try them again, I would do a small experimental sowing as early in March as possible, and make the main seeding in July. This is my practice when I grow other daikons. The fall crop is always the more sure one.

Watermelon radish takes its name from the root’s appearance — like a watermelon, with a green rind and rosy red flesh, described as milder and sweeter than other radishes.

T&T Seeds lists Watermelon as a “Winter Radish.” Veseys and Johnny’s Selected Seeds recommend summer sowing only. Other sources (Lindenberg Seeds, William Dam) do not specify.

Watermelon radishes are eaten raw or roasted, in stir fries, and as a cooked and mashed vegetable.

Garden events

View Royal meeting. The View Royal Garden Club will meet this evening at 7:30 in Wheeley Hall, 500 Admirals Rd. in Esquimalt. Shannon Berch, an adjunct professor from UBC, will speak about growing truffles on Vancouver Island. The evening will also include a judged mini show and a sales table with plants and garden items. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, call 250-727-0076.

Rose meeting. The Mid Island Rose Society meets Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the North Nanaimo Library, 6250 Hammond Bay Rd. in Nanaimo. Information at 250-390-2805.

Orchid show and sale. The Victoria Orchid Society is hosting its annual Show and Sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Hall, 4835 Elk Lake Dr. (across from the Commonwealth Pool). The event will feature beautiful displays, a wide variety of orchids for sale, a silent auction and mini-lectures. The site is wheelchair-accessible and free parking is plentiful. Admission $7 adults, $6 students and seniors, free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult.

Seedy in Courtenay. The Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers presents a Seedy Saturday event on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave. in Courtenay. Under the theme “Building Biodiversity,” this launch of the growing season will feature a community seed swap, vendors, expert speakers, children’s activities, and a café. Admission $5, free after 2 p.m. For a list of vendors visit cvgss.org. Click on Seedy Saturday and then “About our Vendors.”

Soil workshop. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering a Soil Basics for the Home Gardener workshop on Saturday, March 9, 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about soil types and how they function, the role of organic matter, and safe, simple fertilizers and amendments to improve soil health. Cost to HCP members $30, others $35. To register call 250-479-6162.