Marigolds (Tagetes) are easy to grow and provide many advantages in any garden. Their presence helps repel insect pests while supporting soil health.
Add marigold seeds or seedlings randomly into your vegetable beds for an eye-catching and naturalistic effect, and they also make a beautiful border.
Around Vegetable Plants
Marigolds (Tagetes) add color and pest-repellent qualities to any garden, as well as being easy to grow from seed or transplant in most gardening zones. When planted correctly they can even help control nematodes!
Marigolds have proven highly effective at repelling various insect pests such as nematodes, thrips and leafhoppers from tomato plants. Simply planting a circle of ‘sacrificial” marigolds around a tomato patch may reduce pesticide usage by as much as 50%!
Marigolds can also be planted near peppers, eggplants, squash, sweet potatoes and bush beans to protect them from leafhoppers, slugs and beetles. French marigolds have proven particularly successful at deterring tomato horn worms.
Others vegetables that benefit from having marigolds nearby include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and kale. Marigolds can help deter cabbage worms as well as their larvae – like cauliflower flies, kohlrabi flies or carrot rust flies – which prey upon these brassica crops.
Marigolds attract numerous types of pollinators, including bees and other flowering bees. Their long-lived blooms serve as an invaluable source of pollen throughout the growing season for insect pollinated crops such as tomatoes, squash, courgettes and cucumbers – they may even help pollinate asparagus, strawberry or blueberry bushes!
Marigolds can help unify the look of any vegetable garden by being strategically scattered within beds or when space allows, in rows alongside other vegetables. This allows maximum coverage when used as natural pest-deterrents; otherwise they may not be as effective if placed directly behind crops, roots or fruit to avoid diseases like powdery mildew. For optimal marigold success in your vegetable garden amend its soil first using tools such as spades or tillers before mixing in compost or organic materials to enhance nutrient content, structure and drainage.
Around Entranceways
Marigolds are an indispensable addition to many vegetable gardens because of their pest-repelling abilities. Marigolds grow quickly and are easy to care for under ideal conditions, while their flowers also add color and draw bees for pollination purposes and encourage more bees to visit other parts of your garden.
One of the primary advantages of planting marigolds around vegetables is that they help repel pests like nematodes and aphids without using chemicals or harmful substances. Marigolds naturally kill these insects by secreting toxic compounds into the soil that the nematodes absorb before being killed off completely allowing other plants to flourish more freely.
Marigolds can add another benefit to your vegetable garden by virtue of their long blooming period. They will remain full bloom throughout the summer and early fall, drawing pollination-assisting bees. Furthermore, their pleasant fragrance can deter rabbits and other unwanted visitors to your plot of land.
When planting marigolds, make sure they are located in full sun with rich, well-draining soil. Be sure to water both before and after sowing marigold seeds; this will help the roots access moisture for their development. It is also beneficial to add compost or organic matter before sowing marigolds; this will improve overall health in their growing area.
Seedlings of marigolds can be purchased and planted directly into your garden as soon as the soil warms in spring – though after any risk of frost has passed. As Marigolds are annuals that cannot tolerate extreme cold, so beware starting them indoors or outside before your last frost date has passed.
If you’re uncertain about when frost dates will hit, the website of your local gardening centre or nursery is an invaluable source. When purchasing seedlings, make sure they appear healthy-looking without signs of disease and insect damage; when saving marigold seeds for next year be sure to deadhead faded flowers by pinching off faded blooms; this will allow the plants to focus their energies on producing new blooms rather than seed production and extend their flowering season.
In Between Vegetable Plants
Marigold flowers’ vibrant hue is an effective deterrent against many types of pests that tend to attack vegetable plants, while their bright hue also attracts beneficial insects that help with pest management. Marigolds may even attract beneficial bugs as an added measure.
Marigolds are an adaptable plant, meaning they thrive in many climates and soil conditions, making them the perfect complement to any vegetable crop and garden decor. When planted after frost has subsided in late spring, their blooms flourish beautifully. Marigolds should also make for beautiful borders around your garden!
Marigolds are easy to cultivate from both seeds and seedlings, requiring little care once planted in a suitable environment. Marigolds thrive in full sun with temperatures that average 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day for best results. Prior to planting, enrich the soil by amending with compost or well-rotted manure in order to provide needed nutrients that promote healthy growth.
Marigolds can be grown from seeds, but for an easier experience it’s often best to buy seedlings. Most garden centers and online retailers sell them, and once transplanted they should be ready for planting in either ground soil or containers.
At the time of planting seedlings, apply a light application of balanced organic fertilizer; it is important to avoid overfertilizing marigolds as excess nitrogen will stimulate them to produce more foliage than blooms. Regular watering at the base of each plant rather than directly onto its leaves reduces powdery mildew risk.
Marigolds can effectively repel nematodes, the microscopic worms responsible for root damage in tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Their ability to starve off these pests makes marigolds the perfect partner when growing vegetables that are susceptible to these critters.
Planting marigolds at the entranceways of your vegetable garden is an effective way to deter common garden pests such as slugs and snails from eating your plants, while creating a welcoming atmosphere and drawing pollinators to your space.
In Rows
Marigolds make excellent companion plants for many vegetables. Their presence helps deter pests that could otherwise damage them while also drawing in pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. Marigolds are especially effective at repelling squash bugs, cucumber beetles and other common vegetable pests – planting marigolds between rows can make a large garden even more visually appealing! Their vibrant hues also bring much-needed color.
To maximize the growth and beauty of marigolds, ensure they receive sufficient sunlight. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily so your marigolds thrive and reach full size. In addition, to keep them looking their best during their growing season you should remove dead flowers and stems regularly to promote new growth and ensure their overall appearance is kept looking neat and tidy.
Marigolds grow best in soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0, providing it drains well and contains ample organic matter. Prior to planting, amend the soil by mixing in compost or other forms of organic material such as manures to increase its nutrient content and promote optimal growth.
Be sure to water your marigolds regularly to help ensure peak performance – this helps lower the risk of fungal disease while providing consistent moisture for root development. As much as possible, try not to overwater as this could cause root rot or other plant diseases.
Marigolds can serve a multitude of functions in your garden, from cut flowers and culinary uses, such as salads or soups to adding vibrant splashes of color in desserts or salads, to dried petals used for craft projects like wreaths or potpourri wreaths.
Marigolds make the ideal companions for many vegetables in your home garden, and can be planted all throughout the growing season to reap many advantages. By properly prepping and planting your soil, using proper planting techniques and spacing techniques when setting them out, and regularly watering, you’re guaranteed the best results from your marigolds all season long.