herb · direct sow · beginner friendly
Calendula (Pot Marigold): how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating calendula (pot marigold) a few times a week needs about 32 plants in ~27 sq ft, worth about $77 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 8 | ~7 sq ft | ~15 | ~$19 |
| 2 people | 16 | ~14 sq ft | ~30 | ~$38 |
| 4 people | 32 | ~27 sq ft | ~60 | ~$77 |
| 6 people | 47 | ~40 sq ft | ~89 | ~$113 |
Spacing
10" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
55 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Jul 2 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 19 – May 24 | Jul 12 – Aug 25 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Jul 22 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 1 – Sep 14 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Aug 11 – Sep 24 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 1 – Oct 15 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 30 – Mar 6 | Sep 21 – Nov 4 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 10 – Feb 14 | Oct 1 – Nov 14 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.3 lbs per plant over ~14 productive weeks (~0.3 lb).
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato-slicing.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.