The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.
)are among the most common and reliable of all bedding flowers.
Marigolds are typically planted from nursery starts or seeds planted in the spring after the soil can be worked.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
These fast-growing plants will achieve blooming maturity within a matter of a few months when planted from seeds.
For earlier outdoor blooms, start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.
Marigold Care
Marigolds are very low-maintenance once established, and they are notably pest-free.
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In fact, they are sometimesplanted as a deterrent to peststhat attack other plants.
Marigolds can bloom almost non-stop and will keep going all summer, until frost.
To achieve that non-stop flowering, keep your marigoldsdeadheaded.
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Flowering may decrease slightly during the heat of summer but generally resumes in full force as cooler weather arrives.
This encourages an extra sturdy root system and minimizes the need for staking the plants.
Light
For the most flowers and the healthiest plants, plant your marigolds infull sun.
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Shady conditions will cause the plants to become leggy and to flower less profusely.
Soil
Marigolds are not fussy.
Keep thesoil pHroughly neutral, from 6.0 to 7.0 .
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Water
When you first plant your marigold seeds or plants, double-check they get regular water.
Don’t leave them in dry soil for more than a couple of days.
If it is particularly hot and sunny, water new plants every day.
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Marigolds tolerate a wide range of humidity levels, but they may getpowdery mildewin damp or humid summers.
Planting in full sun and providing room for airflow will lessen this problem.
These native plants of Mexico prefer relatively dry air.
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Fertilizer
Your marigolds won’t need any supplemental fertilizer unless your soil is extremely poor.
Types of Marigold
There are several species and divisions of marigold, with many cultivars of each.
Most are moderate in height, but there is a good amount of variety among the differenttypes of marigolds.
patulathat combine the large flowers of the African marigolds with the more compact stature of the French marigolds.
Regular deadheading of spent blossoms helps to keep the plant producing new blooms well into fall.
Their large, easy-to-handle seeds are often used for school projects with children.
Cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite, then cover the tray or pot with plastic.
Keep the potting mix moist but not sopping.
Potting and Repotting
Marigolds make excellent outdoor container plants.
Use ordinary commercial potting soil in any kind of containerclay pots are especially good.
No repotting is necessary, as you’ll be discarding the plant when the growing season concludes.
It is fine to leave a few plants to self-seed in the garden.
Damping-off fungi tend to prefer cool conditions, so keeping seedling trays warm may also help prevent it.
And, of course, you might stake up your plants if needed.
This is especially likely in very hot climates.
Many gardeners prefer to sharply prune back the plants as these hot stretches begin.
Marigold seeds were originally brought back to Europe from Mexico by 16th century explorers.
The species favored by Portuguese, then French plant breeders became known as “French Marigolds.“T.
Marigolds have a long tradition as plants that repel damaging insects when planted near vulnerable vegetables.
There is some evidence that marigolds emit a soil chemical through the roots that can help control damagingnematodes.
On the other hand, the powerful smell of marigolds does seem to be repugnant to deer and rabbits.
Signet marigolds are often used in salads.
The flower petals, chopped and mixed with salad greens, add interesting color and a slightly spicy taste.
The other types of marigolds are not considered edible.
And it has a shorter, earlier bloom period than the true marigolds, flowering in May and June.
Marigolds make nice border plants, but their hot colors should be used with discretion.
Taller African marigolds, however, are often planted in clumps near the back of the border garden.
