Growing Marigolds - Basic Garden Tips
Marigolds are a wonderful flower for every garden because of their vast variety and ease of growth. Marigolds come in every shade of yellow and orange. Also, there are giant marigolds and small marigolds. They are grown from seed and germinate easily in most soil types with a little sun and warm temperatures. Marigolds bloom in mid-summer and continue to bloon until first frost.
Marigolds like full to partial sun and can be sowed directly into your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. When planting indoors use peat pots that may be transplanted into your garden without distrubing the roots (plant the entire pot without removing the Marigold seedling). When planting seed directly in the garden, space seed six inches apart and cover with about 1/2 inch of soil. Water throroughly once. They germinate easily and will grow quickly. Marigolds do not tolerate frost so be sure to wait until after the last frost to plant outdoors.
Marigolds like rich, well drained soil, but will tolerant average soils. Improving your soil by adding compost will produce healthier plants and flowers. A general purpose fertilizer should be applied once a month. Water about once or twice a week or whenever the top 3 inches of soil drys out. Marigolds are annuals and will die with the first Fall frost.
Marigolds are not bothered by most insects. In fact many insects are repelled by the Marigold scent. For this reason some gardeners plant Marigolds near their vegetable or flowers to help protect them from pests. However, snails and slugs are not bothered by the marigold scent and can destroy a large number of marigolds nearly overnight. If you notice the marigold leaves are sparce and with ragged edges, you probably have slugs feasting on your marigolds. See our article on Getting Rid of Slugs for help.
Related Articles: