Marigolds can be started from seeds or transplanted. When selecting your planting site, ensure it receives full sun without any weeds growing near it.
Flowers of this variety are generally heat tolerant but require warmer temperatures for maximum blooming potential. Furthermore, these long-blooming perennials bring many advantages to vegetable gardens including repelling nematodes and helping with crop rotation.
Location
Marigold flowers (Tagetes spp.) add vibrant hues and repel many pests while improving soil health in vegetable gardens. Easy to cultivate even in containers and raised beds, marigolds make excellent annual additions that provide both color and protection from common garden pests. Select an optimal location for marigolds by taking into account factors like sunlight exposure, soil quality and potential companion planting partners when choosing where best to place these warm-season annuals in your garden.
Marigolds are highly adaptable plants that thrive in almost any soil conditions, yet their ideal is well-draining organic matter-rich soil with good drainage. Before planting, amend it with compost to improve drainage and nutrient availability; or create an more formal look by planting double or triple rows for added visual impact.
Marigolds attract beneficial insects such as pollinators. When planted near vegetable crops, their fragrant blooms attract beneficial bugs like pollinators. Their fragrant blooms also help repel crop pests like aphids and squash bugs; furthermore they have the added advantage of repelling nematodes, making them ideal companion plants for tomato, peppers and eggplant varieties that may be susceptible to them.
Marigolds can act as companion plants in your garden to reduce nematodes that harm plants, such as potatoes, onions and carrots. Nematodes are tiny roundworms which feed off of plant roots; marigolds have been shown to kill these worms while their root structures disrupt their feeding cycle.
Marigolds are not heavy feeders; therefore a light application of slow-release fertilizer at planting time usually suffices. Be wary of overfertilization which could promote lush foliage over flower production; pinch off faded flower heads regularly to redirect their energy back towards producing new blooms, lengthening blooming season. A layer of mulch also helps protect from weeds while keeping soil temperature consistent and retain moisture levels more consistently.
Soil
Marigold seeds tend to germinate quickly, and when planted directly into your garden six to eight weeks before your last frost date. If you prefer starting them indoors instead of directly outdoors, “sow on the surface of a tray or small pot filled with ordinary commercial potting soil that has been misted and covered,” according to Groft. Set them in a warm location that gets four or five hours of light daily and maintain a constant misting regimen until time for transplanting arrives; when your seedlings are ready for transplanting, gently loosening loosen their soil while pulling any dead or diseased plants from their respective containers and plants as soon as they’re ready.
Marigolds thrive in full sun but will tolerate partial shade in certain locations of your garden. Before sowing seeds, loosen the soil and remove stones or any debris; these annual flowers prefer moderately fertile, well-draining soil with medium fertility levels; heavy or clay-laden soil should be improved by working in compost or sand; light applications of phosphate and potash will help the roots absorb these essential nutrients directly from the ground.
Harvest marigolds when their petals have opened fully and dried completely, but before beginning to wilt. Cut just above its base for cuttings or to add zesty citrusy flavor to salads; their citrusy zest brings zesty notes into greens dishes! Marigolds repel nematodes and other pests that could damage vegetable plants while covering up any unpleasant aromas associated with certain vegetables.
Fertilize marigolds with water-soluble flowering plant fertilizer once every month from spring through fall. Avoid overwatering to avoid fungal diseases like powdery mildew and gray mold; moist but not wet soil is preferable; tooggy conditions may lead to root rot. Deadheading spent blooms before they shrivel and die encourages the plant to produce more flowers; for slug control use an upside-down tuna can or upside-down melon rind with holes at either end to catch slug bait; while faded blossom seeds from faded blooms can be saved as long as the seeds remain fresh without yet becoming moldy – fresh blooms should be harvested as you save faded blossom seeds from faded blossoms for use next spring planting if saved from faded blossoms that is.
Sunlight
Marigolds need at least six hours of sunlight each day in order to thrive, making them an excellent companion plant for vegetables such as corn and squash that need sunny spots in which to thrive. They also help shield these vegetables from scorching afternoon sunlight which could otherwise burn or damage them, plus are easy to grow using seeds purchased at garden centers or nurseries.
Before planting, loosen the soil and amend it with some compost or aged manure to aid drainage – this is essential to growing flowers alongside vegetables in harmony. Marigolds prefer moderately fertile loamy soil but will do just as well in other types if it drains well; to be on the safe side it would be wise to have your soil tested prior to adding any amendments or supplements.
As soon as the soil warms up, seeds should be planted directly into your garden; however, for optimal results it is advisable to start them indoors approximately 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Seeds should germinate within several weeks, and shorter varieties of marigold will take off quickly once planted outside – seedlings and plants may even be available at gardening centers late spring!
Marigolds can add beauty and value to vegetable gardens with their vibrant russet hues, while providing some protection for many vegetables and herbs by repelling insects that could potentially damage them. Their strong scent masks the odor of cabbage worms to protect cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts from these pests. In addition, marigolds attract pollinators necessary for successful pollination of insect-pollinated vegetables such as tomatoes, beans cucumbers and squash from these pests.
Marigolds can add an elegant, structured touch to your vegetable garden, or you can scatter them throughout for an informal look. For optimal blooms, prune regularly by deadheading spent flowers as they fade, encouraging new growth. Also, check for Japanese beetles who feed on these vibrant blooms, using products such as Ortho(r) Insect Killer Rose & Flower Ready-to-Use to treat as necessary.
Water
Marigolds make great companion plants in any garden, particularly beans, tomatoes and peppers. Their attractive flowers attract beneficial insects that attract beneficial predators that reduce pest populations like nematodes. Marigolds also produce natural plant oils called limonene that repel other types of garden pests.
Marigold seeds may be directly sown into your garden from spring through midsummer or started indoors 8 to 10 weeks prior to your last frost date. Simply moisten seed starting trays or pots with water before filling them halfway with porous seed-starting mix containing balanced organic fertilizer to give the seeds the best start possible in their new homes.
Once the seeds germinate and seedlings have been planted, mist them with water every day until their soil becomes saturated with moisture; this will prevent the seeds from rotting while also allowing plants to draw water through their leaves rather than roots, and ultimately keeping your plant healthier.
As soon as your seedlings have established a few sets of leaves, thin them out to give each plant plenty of room for growth and air circulation. Depending on your variety, some flowers could begin blooming as early as four or six weeks post planting; pinching back early flower buds regularly will encourage bushiness in your plants for extended blooming season.
Marigold blooms offer much-needed color and vibrancy in any garden, providing pollinators with continuous access to pollen throughout their growing season.
Marigolds can be grown alongside other crops throughout the season and act as an effective barrier to keep pests away from more valuable crops in a garden. Some varieties are known for deterring rootknot nematodes from damaging or destroying many types of vegetables and fruit, while other varieties act as bait crops to attract slugs which can then be collected and killed before spreading further across your plot.