Growing Marigolds
Growing Marigolds in Gardens or Pots
Many gardeners consider growing marigolds in both garden and pot configurations to be one of the easiest and most useful of garden undertakings. Marigolds are attractive, interesting, colorful and serve several purposes in a garden. They are often used as companion plants to other species because of their repellant abilities. They are easy to grow and are hardy to most climate conditions.
There are 51 species of marigolds and many different varieties to choose from. Marigolds can be annual or perennial plants. They can be found in a vast array of colors from golden, white, orange, red, yellow and a large amount of mixed colors as well. Marigolds are native to Africa and the South Americas, but are very hardy and can grow just about anywhere.
Marigold plants can be purchased as seeds or as started plants from just about any nursery, garden center or online store. They prefer to be planted in full sunlight or partial shade for maximum growth and require regular watering to prevent drying out. They can tolerate several different soil conditions including rather poor soils but prefer rich and well drained soils. You can increase the fertility of your soil by adding humus, compost or fertilizers. It is a good idea to mulch around your marigolds to help prevent the growth of weeds, as weeds will rob your garden of vital nutrients and affect the blooms of the flowers. It is best to plant your marigolds about 1 foot apart from one another to allow the roots adequate room to grow and to provide quality air circulation to prevent disease. Marigolds can grow in an upright position or a bushy and wide position to suit your garden style and can be short or up to 1 foot high.
Plant your marigolds in the spring just after the last frost. They grow extremely well in pots and can be started inside as seedlings before the last frost, and then they can be transplanted outdoors for quicker blooms. The plants will begin to bloom in about 12-14 weeks, during the early summer months. As their flowers begin to wilt and die, you can deadhead marigolds to keep then producing flowers all summer long. Simply remove the flower heads after they have bloomed and before they turn into seed heads. As they do grow well in pots, they make a great addition to patio or porch arrangements. Marigolds will continue to bloom if deadheaded all the way until the first frost. You can collect seeds from marigolds for use in planting next year’s crop by cutting the blooms and hanging bunches of them upside down to fully dry. Rubbing your hand across the dry bloom will then loosen the seeds. Marigolds will also grow well in an indoor environment but often people find their fragrance to be too strong for indoor use.
Marigolds are often used by gardeners as companion plants to other decorative plants or vegetable plants as their roots give off a substance that repeals digging insects. The strong fragrance of the marigold also works as a repellant for animals as they tend to avoid the smell. Marigolds are often used a repellant for insects, rodents, rabbits and deer by being planting around the border of the garden. Their roots will often deter nematodes and beetles from attacking other plants. By growing marigolds in a parameter around your vegetable garden, you will reduce the amount of crop lost to animals and insects, therefore increasing the crop yield for yourself. While marigolds are resistant to insects and other animals they can be susceptible to leaf spots, grey mold and powdery mildew. By planting each plant the appropriate distance apart and avoiding overwatering, you can help prevent molds and mildews from attacking your plants.
Growing marigolds in your garden or patio is an easy way to fill your yard with color and a good way to help protect other plants from animals. Because they are so easy to grow they can make a great plant for children or beginner gardeners too.