Marigolds add a vibrant pop of color and are great way to protect crops from pests in vegetable gardens. Easy to grow, these vibrant blooms adapt well to many soil conditions and thrive under any circumstance.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last frost, or transplant seedlings outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Taller varieties such as Tagetes erecta can require light staking for support.
Location
Marigolds don’t discriminate when it comes to where they grow – these heat-loving flowers make great companions for vegetables in your garden, providing vibrant pops of color in beds and borders otherwise lacking vibrancy. Marigolds can easily be grown from seeds or transplants and do best when exposed to full sunlight; some varieties bloom more intensely if planted partially shaded locations.
Marigolds can add many advantages to a vegetable garden. One obvious benefit is their popularity with pollinators; plant them near crops that need pollination such as tomatoes, acorn squash, yellow squash, zucchini and patty pan squash to attract bees, wasps and other pollinators. Furthermore, marigolds may deter harmful insects like cabbage moths and tomato hornworms – particularly French marigolds (Tagetes erecta).
Marigold companion planting benefits many other crops as well, including beans, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, carrots, squash and eggplant. Marigolds serve as perfect allies to beans, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, carrots squash and eggplant; in addition to drawing pollinators in, they also help deter many common pests like beetles slugs leafhoppers etc. Tomatoes seem particularly fond of marigolds; research has demonstrated they provide protection from nematodes (read more here), thrips and hornworms etc.
As long as their soil is rich and well-draining, marigolds don’t mind where they’re planted. Native to Mexico, these flowers adapt to various soil conditions but thrive best in moderately fertile and well-draining loam soil conditions. When planted in clay soil conditions however, powdery mildew can form which shortens lifespan and performance levels significantly.
Marigolds can serve as excellent trap crops to catch various pest species, including cabbage moths and slugs. Planting a circle of “sacrificial” marigolds around the edges of your bed will deter these pesky visitors. Spraying water or diatomaceous earth over marigolds works as an effective slug repellent. Marigolds also make excellent additions near compost areas because their roots help loosen soil compactions – an integral factor to healthy, productive composting! According to studies, marigolds may reduce preparation times significantly!
Soil
Marigolds are warm-season annuals that thrive when planted in full sun. To add them to a garden bed, either plant seeds directly in the soil once it’s warmed up, or transplant seedlings after frost danger has passed. A loose and well-draining soil is key for their health and growth as they tend to wilt in clay or sandy environments; for optimal results add compost before planting marigolds as excess moisture may contribute to fungal diseases in marigolds. A mulch layer is another great way of protecting both soil health while reducing excessive watering which contributes to fungal diseases in marigolds!
Marigolds boast long blooming periods that draw bees and other pollinators into your vegetable garden, providing protection from insect pests such as beetles. Their blooms also release a substance which repels nematodes that threaten to destroy vegetables and other plants in your plot – which makes them the perfect addition. If you intend on including marigolds specifically as a defense mechanism against them – such as tomatoes – then growing them early enough can ensure that those secretions repelling nematodes when needed.
Start marigold seeds early spring, covering them lightly with soil. Your marigolds should begin germinating within days if the weather is warm; alternatively you could purchase seedlings from nurseries or garden centers to speed up this process; alternatively you could plant the seeds in containers and transplant when ready.
When cultivating marigolds from cuttings, use 4-inch lengths of soft green stem, strip off any flowers or buds and dip the ends in rooting hormone before inserting them in a seed tray or small pot filled with porous seed-starter mix or an equal mix of potting soil, sand and perlite. Plant them two inches deep under full sunlight with moderate temperatures.
Marigolds can tolerate drought once established, yet consistent moisture levels are necessary to achieve strong growth and vibrant foliage. Water the marigolds when their top inch of soil feels dry – though avoid overwatering as overdoing it could lead to root rot or fungal infection. A layer of organic mulch at their bases also helps retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
Water
Marigolds should be watered after planting to help their roots acclimate to their new environment and prevent air gaps that could dry out over time. They prefer moderate moisture levels; once every week should provide ample hydration during most of summer. In case the heat wave hits hard enough to induce dormancy in some days, reduce watering frequency or just let rainwater seep in instead if this happens to your plants.
Marigolds add a vibrant splash of color to any vegetable garden. Their quick growth from seeds means they quickly attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; plus they may help deter root-knot nematodes which damage plants!
Before planting marigolds in your garden, first prepare the site by clearing away weeds and rocks from the area. Loosen the soil using a garden fork or tiller before amending with compost or well-rotted manure to improve nutrient content and drainage – marigolds prefer loose, loamy soil rich with organic matter for optimal performance.
Once marigolds have been planted, you can mulch them with shredded leaves or grass clippings to suppress weeds and promote rapid growth. When their time has come to bloom again, you can also compost any spent marigolds which have now died off so as to enrich the soil for next year’s crops.
Taller varieties of marigolds may require light staking to support them as they grow. You can help prevent this by burying at least an inch of each stem when planting and regularly removing dead flower heads as they appear – this will encourage new buds that will keep your marigold blooming all summer.
As with any garden plant, marigolds require special consideration to avoid being devoured by pests while they grow in the ground. Claims that marigolds deter deer or rabbits may be untrue, while they likely won’t protect against slugs either. If any appear on your marigolds, try knocking them into soapy water or applying an organic insecticide such as Ortho(r) Insect Killer Rose & Flower Ready-to-Use to kill any unwanted visitors to them quickly and organically!
Pruning
Marigolds can be integrated into vegetable garden planting schemes in many different ways. From naturally-distributed companion planting schemes with other vegetables or flowers in polyculture planting schemes to border plants along the edges of garden beds (created either through scattering seeds or transplanting seedlings into the ground), to using them formally along the edge for a more formal look (ie: planting rows) when used this way (it is best if one color of flower dominates for an aesthetic look), using marigolds can make any planting scheme come alive!
Marigolds depend on sunlight to thrive; otherwise they become leggy and produce less flowers. Well-draining soil with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 7.0 should also aid drainage – though adding additional materials like sand or compost to heavy garden soil may provide relief.
Experienced vegetable growers have found that adding marigolds alongside some crops deters pests that prey upon the vegetables. Marigolds in particular are helpful at deterring root rot nematodes, which can seriously compromise the health of vegetables and other plants in your garden. Marigolds release chemicals into the soil which starve these pests by blocking their digestive enzymes – this tactic has proven particularly successful at repelling root-knot nematodes from attacking.
Marigolds can help reduce nematode populations when combined with other repellant herbs and flowers such as basil, Chinese cabbage and nasturtiums; however, for this strategy to work it must remain planted for an extended period. If removed too early then their effectiveness will diminish quickly, leaving your other plants vulnerable once more.
Marigolds add a great flourish to an edible landscape, adding vibrant blooms that complement salads and soups while their dried petals can be dried for use in potpourris or wreaths. Marigolds can even serve as attractive garnishes in vegetable dishes to highlight both natural flavor and complement its color.