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When can you plant marigolds


Growing Marigolds: Learn How to Plant and Grow Marigolds

Bright and hardy marigolds are a no-fuss, low maintenance annual. Their cheery blooms thrive in the sun, making these summer-through-fall-time beauties a popular choice.

Read on to find out more about marigold plants.

What are Marigolds?

Marigolds have carnation or daisy-like flowers, usually in bright orange, copper brown or yellow that can grow as single blooms or in clusters. Their distinct smell is often described as pungent, but most gardeners appreciate this, as it keeps away garden pests and insects. However, keep an eye out for slugs and caterpillars as they can be issues for marigolds.

Popular Types of Marigolds

How to Plant Marigold Flowers

Marigolds are easy to plant and can do well in virtually any type of soil. Most types like full sun and can withstand even extremely hot temperatures, making them one of the easiest flowers to grow all year long. In fact, their hardiness makes it unnecessary to start marigold seeds indoors. Below is a simple guide to planting seeds directly in the ground – or transplant – whichever you prefer.

Simply cover the seeds with soil and keep them moist and warm. If transplanting, be sure to water well after doing so. Plants will sprout in a few days if the weather is warm enough, and blooms will appear in around 2 months.

When should you plant marigolds?

Plant your marigolds in the spring, after the last frost. If you choose to start from seed indoors, you can begin the process about 2 months before the last expected frost. Seeds will germinate anywhere from 4 to 14 days in warm soil that has an average temperature of 70°F – 75°F. Above the refrigerator is a good spot for seeds to rest if you are germinating indoors. In this case, once the seeds germinate, transplant them outdoors after the last frost.

How to transplant marigolds from seed

After seeds have germinated, moisten soil and then plant seedlings about 1 inch apart from one another.

How to thin seedlings

If planting seeds directly in the ground without germinating, once sprouted, but while still small, thin your seedlings. Thinning seedlings is important so that maturing plants have plenty of space to grow without having to compete for nutrients and water. It also helps improve air circulation. To thin, carefully remove a seedling and, holding it by its leaves to prevent the stem from being crushed, lightly set the roots into a hole. Pat the soil around the stem gently but firmly. Spacing will depend on the variety.

Planting in containers

Be sure to use a large enough container because marigolds tend to grow quickly, and crowding can be an issue.

Use a soil-based potting mix and either add in a granular, slow-acting fertilizer at the time of planting, or periodically water with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Do not over-fertilize.

Tips to Care for Marigold Flowers

Marigolds establish easily, and new blooms will appear not long after planting. These low-maintenance plants do not require much care, and with just a few tips, will put on a showy display for months.

Tip 1. Water regularly, but not too frequently. Let soil dry out in between watering, and then water well each time. If it is an extremely hot period, it’s fine to increase the frequency, just take care not to overwater.

Tip 2. Never water overhead. Too much water on marigold leaves can result in a powdery mildew building up on the pretty dark green foliage. Water at the base of the plant to avoid this.

Tip 3. Deadhead as needed. Marigolds actually do not need a lot of deadheading but doing so will promote more blooms. To deadhead, simply remove any dying blossoms.

Tip 4. Pinch back. Pinching from the top of the plant is an easy way to remove dead blooms and encourage growth while helping plants fill out so they don’t become leggy. Using your thumb and forefinger, simply pinch the dead bloom where it meets the stem. Pinching can trick plants into producing more because you remove the bloom before it goes to seed, which essentially is what tells the plant to stop producing.

Tip 5. Do not fertilize during the growing season. Fertilizer will result in pretty foliage, but it will be at the expense of your blooms.

Tip 6. Add mulch. Mulch will prevent weeds from growing and keep soil nice and moist.

Common Questions About Growing Marigolds

In addition to being easy to grow, marigolds also make great companion plants in the garden. Learning everything you can about them helps ensure they will grow big and beautifully for your enjoyment.

How do you reseed marigolds?

To reseed marigolds, wait for the plant to begin to dry out. When the petals are brown, and the plant base is just starting to turn brown, you can harvest the seeds. Do not wait for the entire plant to turn brown or you risk it molding.

Do marigolds spread?

Marigolds are rapidly growing plants and most varieties are self-seeding, which means they will drop seeds and spread throughout your yard or garden. Limit the ability to self-seed by deadheading before blooms go to seed.

Are marigolds perennials or annuals?

Actually, both! Most marigolds are annuals, but a few are perennials. Marigolds self-seed so they may appear to be a perennial when in reality, they are just coming back from seed.

What zone do marigolds grow best in?

Marigolds grow well in planting zones 2 – 11, and they do best in warmer months. They will have a longer blooming season in zones 10 or higher, where temperatures don’t dip close to freezing, even later in the winter.

Why are my marigolds dying?

Marigolds are a fairly easy plant to grow, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have issues. If your marigolds are not doing well, it may be due to slugs or caterpillars. If you see small, chewed edges or holes in the leaves, check your plants for caterpillars. Removing them by hand is simple, fast and can alleviate the problem.

Do marigolds bloom year-round?

Marigolds do not bloom year-round, but with proper care, some varieties can bloom for several months. They will put on the best show all summer and into fall.

Marigolds are a hardy, bright, easy-to-grow plant. They are virtually fool-proof, so even first-time gardeners can trust their marigold show will be abundant and something to be proud of.

Time of the Year to Plant Marigolds | Home Guides

By Molly Allman Updated December 14, 2018

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) include both hardy annuals and perennials that require little care. These flowers range in size from 6 inches to 6 feet tall with flower color ranging from pale yellow to orange, gold and a brownish-maroon. Marigolds are easily propagated from seed that germinate within a few days in warm soil. You can start seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors after danger of frost if you want earlier-blooming flowers. You can grow marigolds as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11.

When to Plant

You can plant marigold seeds directly outdoors in the spring after the danger of frost has passed for your area or start seeds indoors up to about eight weeks before the last frost. Seeds usually germinate within four to 14 days in soil temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can transplant seedlings after the danger of frost has passed. Marigolds usually bloom 45 to 50 days after sowing and continue to bloom until frost.

How to Plant

Sow seeds directly into the flower bed and just cover and keep them warm and moist. Transplants need good soil amended with organic matter. Spacing depends on species of marigold; space large varieties 18 to 24 inches apart, medium varieties 12 to 15 inches apart and dwarf species 6 inches apart. Marigolds prefer soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 enriched with organic matter, but the plant can tolerate dry soils.

Where to Plant

Marigolds need an area with full sun, but in areas where summers get very hot, they prefer some afternoon shade. Too much shade can delay flowering, however, so provide light shade only when needed. Marigolds make good bedding and edging plants. They are also well-suited for growing in containers for patios, porches and balconies. Good complementary plants for flower beds include Salvia, Zinnia, Nasturtium, Gaillardia and Bassia.

Marigold Care

Marigolds require little care. The flowers are drought-tolerant but may need water in hot weather if they are not blooming. You can pinch off spent flowers to encourage and prolong blooms. Some taller varieties, such as African marigolds, often require staking, especially during storms. Some common pests and disease to watch for include spittle bugs, spider mites and aster yellows and wilts.

References

Writer Bio

Based in Indiana, Molly Allman holds a B.A. in professional writing. She works as both a writer and author and enjoys writing articles on many different topics. She specializes in topics concerning health, crafts, family and lifestyles. Her fiction writing appears in "Bewildering Stories," "The Other Herald" and "Spectacular Speculations."

How to plant and care for marigolds

July 4, 2022 Likbez Adviсe

These flowers can be grown without much effort.

When to plant marigolds

Seeds germinate when the soil temperature is above 5 degrees. In most regions, these flowers begin to be sown in open ground in late April - early May. But since an average of 2 months pass from the moment the sprouts appear to the start of flowering, marigolds can be planted throughout June - they will bloom in the fall.

How to choose marigold seeds

These flowers are annual and perennial. Choose the first ones if you want to change the design of the garden every year by planting marigolds in different places. In the second case, flowers sown once will independently propagate by seeds and grow more and more every year in a flower bed.

Information about marigold species can be found on the planting material package. The height of an adult plant is usually indicated there - it can vary from 20 to 120 cm. Pay attention to this indicator in order to correctly place the marigolds on the site. Tall species can completely obscure small "neighbors" and interfere with their normal development.

How to prepare a flower bed for planting marigolds

This plant can be planted both in the shade and in the sun. Marigolds are undemanding to the soil. It is enough 2–3 days before sowing to add 3–4 kg of compost to each square meter of flower beds, dig up the soil on a shovel bayonet and level the surface with a rake.

Marigolds protect other plants from pests. Photo: Oksana Bokhonok / Shutterstock

Marigolds also have a specific smell that repels pests. Therefore, experienced gardeners often add these flowers to the aisles in vegetable beds.

How to plant marigolds

Seeds do not need to be soaked beforehand.

Make furrows

They should be no more than 1 cm deep. If you plan to sow marigolds in several rows, keep a distance of 30-40 cm between them. Water the furrows liberally with water and wait until it is completely absorbed.

Sow marigolds

Shot: Alyonushka's flower garden / YouTube

The seeds of these flowers are like thin, fragile needles that are difficult to plant at intervals. Therefore, simply pour them in a thin layer into the grooves and cover with soil, lightly compacting the surface with the palm of your hand. Moisten the crops with water from a watering can with a diffuser nozzle.

Wait for seedlings

Photo: Elina Liv / Shutterstock

They will appear in about 2-3 weeks. Seeds need moisture to germinate. Therefore, do not allow the soil to dry out and moisten it in time. When all the sprouts have hatched, carefully pull out the extra ones, leaving a distance of 10 cm between the stems.

Water marigolds

Moisten the flower bed as the soil dries out. Watering should be moderate: you do not need to turn the soil into a swamp, otherwise the marigold stems will begin to rot. Pour water under the root of the plant, being careful not to get on the leaves so that the drops combined with the sun do not cause a burn. The procedure is best done early in the morning or in the evening at sunset.

Loosen and weed the flower bed

At least once a week, after watering, loosen the soil around the plants with a fine-toothed hoe. This will provide the root system with oxygen. It is important to weed the flower bed in time - especially when the marigolds are very young. Weeds grow very quickly and can simply destroy immature flowers. In addition, unwanted "neighbors" draw nutrients from the soil.

Cut dry inflorescences

Photo: Elena Masiutkina / Shutterstock

So the plant will not waste energy on seed maturation and direct them to setting new buds. And withered flowers make the bushes less attractive.

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auspicious planting days according to the lunar calendar

Marigolds look perfect in mixborders, fit well into a rustic style. Growing them is not difficult - even a beginner will cope with the task. But still, the elementary rules of agricultural technology must be taken into account.

Useful information about petunias

Sowing dates • for seedlings - April 1 - 15;
• to the greenhouse - April 15 - 30;
• in open ground - May 15 - 31 May,
Seedless depth 0. 5 cm
The well -lit plot
9000 can be sown in cold greenhouses in the second half of April (1) (seedlings do not tolerate frost). Seedlings appear 5-7 days after sowing. And plants bloom 50-60 days after germination (2).

- But if we want to achieve flowering earlier, - says agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova, - then marigolds can be grown through seedlings. It is planted in open ground at the age of 40 - 50 days, in the second half of May, therefore, seeds for seedlings should be sown in the first half of April.

How to prepare seeds for sowing

Marigold seeds do not require pre-sowing preparation. They can be sown dry - they germinate well anyway.

But what really needs to be prepared is the ground.

- The fact is that tender seedlings of marigolds can suffer from fungal diseases and the main enemy is the black leg, and the spores of this pathogen just live in the soil, - explains agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova. - The soil collected in the garden or in the forest is especially dangerous. But even in the purchased one there may be pathogenic fungi. Therefore, before sowing the seeds, it must be steamed in a water bath or calcined in the oven for 1 hour.

Seeds are best sown in plastic containers with a lid. They are buried in the soil to a depth of 0.5 cm. After that, they are well watered, covered with a lid and cleaned in a warm place where the temperature will be around 20 ° C. You can germinate the seeds in cooler conditions, but not below 15 ° C - otherwise they will germinate for a long time and unfriendly. But even more dangerous for them is a high temperature, more than 25 ° C - in such conditions, they may not sprout at all.

Marigold sprouts appear after about a week. As soon as the seeds sprout, the lid must be removed.

Care tips for marigold seedlings

Pick. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, seedlings of marigolds should be planted in separate cups. The optimal volume is 200 ml.

Light and warmth. Good seedlings should be strong, stocky, but on the windowsills in the apartment, they often stretch out.

- There are two reasons for this, - explains agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova, - lack of light and too high temperature. Seedlings need to be provided with coolness - 15 - 20 ° C and an abundance of light - a south or southeast window. Only in this case, the seedlings will be good.

Watering. Marigold seedlings do not like excessive moisture, so it should be watered moderately - it is important that the soil dries out a little between waterings. If the cups are in the pan and part of the water has leaked out there, it must be drained - otherwise it can provoke an outbreak of fungal diseases.

Top dressing. Seedlings of marigolds can do without top dressing. But if signs of starvation appear on it - pale leaves, yellow spots, bright streaks, deformations or drying tips - you need to feed it with any liquid complex fertilizer according to the instructions.

Hardening. At home, seedlings live in warmth, but in open ground they will face trials - cold winds, rains, frosts, scorching sun. And if young plants abruptly fall from comfortable conditions into harsh realities, they begin to experience stress. They stop growing for a while, try to adapt and flowering is delayed.

To prevent this from happening, the seedlings should be gradually hardened off - at a temperature above 10 °C they should be taken out into the open air. First for a couple of hours. Then you can leave for a day. And a week later, overnight. But it is important that the seedlings get used to the street in the shade - in the open sun it will get burned.

Planting seedlings in open ground. Seedlings of marigolds can be planted in flower beds from mid-May. Seedlings tolerate transplanting well, but on condition that a clod of earth is preserved (3).

Favorable days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse

Sowing seeds for seedlings:

Sowing seeds in open ground: 18, 22 - 24, 28 - 31 May.

Favorable days for planting seedlings in open ground

Planting seedlings: May 20-24, 27-31.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about growing marigolds with agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova.

How long does the germination of marigold seeds last?

Germination of marigolds does not last long, only 2-3 years. Then it begins to decline, so it is better to sow fresh seeds, ideally last year's.

Is it true that marigolds protect tomatoes from late blight?

Such advice is often found on the Internet, they say, plant marigolds next to tomatoes and there will be no phytophthora.

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