How To Grow Marigolds From Seed

Wild Bee Visiting Marigold Blooms

Transform your garden with the striking, pest-repelling beauty of marigolds! Marigolds add vibrant color to the garden without the fuss. They require minimal maintenance and offer a wealth of benefits. They do double duty by helping to repel garden pests and attracting pollinators. Their colorful blooms make a striking visual impact while improving the overall health of your garden.

Whether you're growing them in containers, planting them in boarders, or as companion plants for vegetables in your garden, marigolds tend to thrive while also bringing beauty all season long.


Growing Guide

Botanical Name: Tagetes patula
Planting Season: Spring
Plant Type: Fern-like stems with large, bright orange-red & yellow flowers
Start indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date & transplant after the last spring frost
Sow outside: after danger of frost has passed in your region
Soil Temperature: 70º-75º F
USDA Zones: 3-10
Size: up to 20"
Hardiness: Annual
Sun: Full
Water: Moderate
Seed Spacing: 1"
Seed Planting Depth: 1/8"
Row Spacing: 10" - 18"
Days to Germination: 5-10
Days to Maturity: 70-100
Blooms: Summer - Fall, until first killing frost


Features

Open Pollinated, Attracts Beneficial Pollinators (like bees & butterflies), Attracts Hummingbirds, Fragrant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Cut Flower Garden, Easy to Grow & Maintain, Container Garden, Window Boxes, Borders, Edging

Natural Pest Repellent:
Marigolds are known for their ability to repel harmful garden pests such as aphids, nematodes, & whiteflies. Plant them near vegetables or companion plants to naturally help protect your crops.

Soil:
Marigolds are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions but prefer well-draining, moderately fertile soil. They can tolerate poor soil conditions, making them easy to grow in a wide range of environments.

Watering:
Water regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. While they are somewhat drought-tolerant, marigolds will produce more abundant blooms with consistent moisture.

Temperature:
Marigolds are warm-season plants that thrive in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F. They are sensitive to frost, so be sure to plant after the last frost date in your region.

Fertilization:
These plants don’t require heavy feeding. If you have it, or can get it, organic compost added each year is your best option. Otherwise, a light application of balanced OMRI fertilizer at the time of planting is sufficient for healthy growth.


Care and Maintenance

Deadheading:
If you wish to save the flowers for natural dye, remove the blooms while fresh & vibrant. Otherwise, regularly remove spent blooms to encourage continued flowering and to maintain a tidy appearance. Regular removal of blossoms (fresh or spent) will prolong the blooming season and ensure a vibrant display.

Pest & Disease Resistance:
Marigolds are known for their strong resistance to pests & diseases. Their natural insect-repelling properties make them a great choice for organic gardening & companion planting.

Self Seeding:
Marigolds can reseed themselves for future growing seasons. If you don't want them to self-sow, simply remove any spent flowers before they go to seed.

Seed Saving:
Allow flowers to wither & die on the plant. Remove from the plants when spent blooms are dry & brown. If you wish to enjoy an abundance of blooms during the growing season, you may want to wait until around the last month before your average first frost to allow seed heads to form.


Companion Planting and Uses

Vegetable Gardens:
The pest-repelling properties of marigolds make them excellent companions for vegetable gardens. Plant them near tomatoes, cucumbers, &/or peppers to help keep unwanted pests at bay while enhancing your garden’s visual appeal.

Pollinator Gardens:
Marigolds are a favorite among bees & butterflies. Add them to your pollinator garden to attract beneficial insects that will help pollinate your plants.

Containers & Borders:
Marigolds can be grown in containers & window boxes, or as low border plants along garden edges or walkways.

Edging Plants:
Use them as edging plants to create colorful borders around flower beds, patios, or walkways, adding a neat, tidy, & eye-catching look to your landscape.

Heirloom Cotton, Marigolds, Tomatoes, Cabbage (under cover), Mini Cucumbers, and Strawberries Growing in September

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