How to grow marigolds

Planting and growing this garden staple

The common marigold is a hardy annual flower that is easy to grow in containers or gardens. Marigolds are typically yellow or orange in color with a strong pungent odor. When planted from seed, they flower in about 45 days.

Originally from Central America, common marigolds are now cultivated around the world. They are valued for their medicinal properteries, as colorants, as flavorants, and as vibrantly colored ornamental plants. Of the two genuses that are often called marigolds, the genus Tagetes is the variety most often found in USA households.

Instructions

Step 1

Planting time

Wait to plant seeds until all danger of frost is over.

Step 2

Pick the location

Marigolds prefer full sun to partial sun locations in well drained fertile soil.

Step 3

Prepare the soil

Loosen the soil and remove any large pieces of debris. Break up any large clumps of soil. Soil in planting containers is best prepared with bare hands.

Step 4

Planting the seeds

Take the seeds and sprinkle them on top of the soil.

Step 5

Work the seeds into the soil

To work the seed into garden soil, take a hoe and vigorously rake the soil around the planting area down to an inch or two in depth. The seeds are planted when few are visible from above. When planting in containers, insert your fingers about two inches into the potting soil and work the seeds in by moving your hands around in the soil. You are finished when most seeds are not visible.

Step 6

Water the soil

Water the soil till moist. Keep the soil damp but not soggy.

Step 7

Wait a week

Seedling should start to appear after a week.

Step 8

Transplant or thin seedlings

When the true leaves appear, seedlings are ready for transplanting to new locations. Seedlings should be thinned as they grow larger. Plants should be approximately a foot apart.

Step 9

Deadhead spent flowers

Removing flowers after they have bloomed will encourage new blooms.

Step 10

Fertilize blooming plants

Fertilize blooming plants with food for flowering plants every few weeks. Fertilizer supplies valuable nutrients used in bloom production.

How to grow marigold seeds in containers

This is a how to video on growing marigold seeds.

Things Needed

Prepared soil

Marigold seeds

Water

Time

Tips & Warnings

Marigold seeds are easy to collect and store from season to season

Marigolds can easily reseed themselves

Plant a variety of marigold colors for a vivid visual display

Deadhead marigolds for a continuous flower display.

Dry and save deadheaded flowers for planting later.

Fertilize marigolds with a flower fertilizer to promote blooming.

Marigold myth

A common myth is that marigolds will repel insects when planted in the vegetable garden.

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Marigold fact

The roots of some species of marigolds will repel or kill destructive soil nematodes.

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G. Kunkel
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