Harvesting and Drying Calendula

[@davidpotasnick5087]

Thank you, have watched lots of videos but you are the only one to show the whole process.

[@gapey]

Thank you. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@HaphazardHomestead]

You make them look so pretty! It's nice how they reseed themselves so well.

[@firequeen2194]

Great info, first year with calendula in the tea garden. I’m probably going to harvest some seeds as well since I participate in seed swaps. I love how simple you made this for me. Thank you so much!

[@gapey]

Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@Howwerelivingfishing]

I saved so many calendula seeds this past season 👍 they’re super easy to save seeds from

[@victoriarawlings689]

Thank you- you are probably the 20th video I tried watching to get some info on drying for soap making and this was really helpful.

[@gapey]

Glad you found it helpful! Good luck with the soap. I've infused some in oils for soap and also added the petals directly into the soap as well.

[@dkulikowski]

WONDERFUL annual. I use a couple door screens to dry mine in my dry basement in a dark corner. I use it in a daily tea blend I drink and in my face & body oils. Thank you for enlightening people. Thumbs up on your information.

[@lindapenney5207]

Awesome update thank you for sharing and making these videos

thanks for sharing so beautiful celendula

[@user-ly7ty8jz2o]

Looove this! They are just so beautiful, can't wait to try to grow these in a few days!

[@trollforge]

Nice, I'm definitely going to have to try trying the calendula flat like that.

[@PermacultureHomestead]

chamomile look yummy ;)

[@josiegustemahana799]

How do you know when it’s dried long enough? And do you use a moist absorbing packet to help keep it dry in your jars?

[@gapey]

I probably let it dry longer than necessary to be sure it's really dry. I don't put a moist absorbing packet in the jar but it definitely couldn't hurt.

[@sjscaliforniagarden478]

beautiful garden, I have started using these flowers recently and mentioned it in my channel

[@gapey]

That's great!

[@Howwerelivingfishing]

Why do you snap off the ones that have started going to seed? Does it cause more flowers to grow? This past season was my first time growing calendula and I let most of it go to seed so I could save them for this season. I waited until the seed pods turned brown and fell off the plant easily to ensure they were as viable as possible.

[@gapey]

Yes it will cause more flowers to grow. It's called dead heading. It's done with a lot of flowering plants to prolong the life of the plant.

[@noobplayers9448]

Beautiful

[@sithuawnglatt5557]

Can I dry them under sunlight?

[@gapey]

I wouldn't recommend it. The sun would dry them out too much and they would lose a lot of their flavor/oils.

[@TheJandal01]

hey whats the purpose of drying them before puting in oil? why not just put in oil fresh?

[@gapey]

Fresh herbs contain moisture which can cause mold so it's usually good to dry them before infusing in oil.

[@sandrarobyn972]

What oils to you soak them in?

[@gapey]

Typically just olive oil but if I want to store it for longer I use an oil that has a longer shelf life like jojoba or meadowfoam which have a 5 year shelf life. olive oil is only 1-2 years.

[@meunderhypnosis407]

Any idea on how to use calendula to heal acne scars? Would it work?

[@bishfam1]

So if I am drying Calendula for tea, would I pull the petals of the middle part? Thanks!!

[@gapey]

nope you can dry the whole flower for tea.

[@jillynallred2342]

Is it harmful if you harvest flowers that are a little older? Can you not use the flowers if they’re in the beginning stages of forming flowers?

[@gapey]

Not harmful but you won't get as much flavor if they are too old.

[@jillynallred2342]

@@gapey and if you’re just using them for oils and baths? Is it not as effective?

[@gapey]

@@jillynallred2342 Right. It wouldn't be harmful just not as effective.

[@hadzorbunch]

Lovely video, thanks! You say you 'infuse them in an oil for a week or so' before using them to make a lotion. What type of oil do you use?

[@gapey]

olive oil is probably the most common and easy to use oil for infusions. But if you want something with a longer shelf life I would use jojoba or meadowfoam. They have the longest shelf life (5 years). Olive oil is 2 years.

[@Neamhain]

This is a really nice and straightforward tutorial. Thank you! Though I gotta ask, at 1:55, how did you not notice nor react to the spider?!

[@gapey]

hah I dunno. He was kind of camouflaged. ;)

[@richelleb9227]

Thanks for the helpful vid :) Im having lots of trouble finding how to dry safflower...do you think I could use this method for the safflower heads?? 🙌

[@gapey]

I'm drying some for the first time. I wouldn't use this method. I would hang them upside down from their stem and let them dry that way.

[@gapey]

oops never mind I was thinking of strawflower. I keep getting those two confused. I've never dried safflower so not sure.

[@richelleb9227]

@@gapey i appreciate the feedback! Great idea, I think I might hang it!

[@meunderhypnosis407]

I heard you can speed up cicatrazation (scar healing) using calendula, is it true?

[@gapey]

I dunno. Never tried that.