🌻A favorite during sunny summer months, French marigold blooms with large, bright flowers held high atop lush, pungent-smelling foliage. French marigolds are a popular vegetable companion plant because they help repel harmful pests!

About Marigold

Marigolds have a unique fragrance and are a mainstay in many flower and vegetable gardens. They provide pleasing and rich color all season long and are easy to grow from seed. Marigolds are one of the most valuable annuals you can grow. They are low maintenance, fast growing, repel pests, and provide you with bright, lasting color until the fall frosts.

When to Plant Marigold Seeds

Sow marigold seeds directly after all threat of frost has passed. It is recommended that you wait approximately one to two weeks after the final frost date. Marigolds can also be sown indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost.

Where to plant marigold seeds

Marigolds tolerate most soil types and prefer warm, full sun conditions. Marigolds grow best in fertile, well-drained soil that is kept moist, although they can be somewhat drought tolerant once established. Keep in mind that marigolds are susceptible to powdery mildew if they are planted in a cool or moist location.

How to Plant Marigold Seeds

If starting indoors, fill pots with seed mix and sow three to four seeds in each pot. Press the seeds into the soil so that they are in good contact with the soil, and water well. Do not allow the seeds to be covered with more than 1/4 inch of soil. Small pots can be covered with clear plastic to help retain moisture. Place them under grow lights or near a bright, south-facing window. After the seeds germinate, remove the plastic wrap and continue to keep the soil moist. When all danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings by taking them outside for a few hours each day and stretching at this time each day. 

How to care for marigolds

Once planted, marigolds require minimal care. Generally, hand watering is only necessary if the soil is dry or dusty to the touch, or if it has been more than two weeks since any natural rainfall. You can significantly increase the number of flowers by deheading spent flowers. Dry, spent flowers can be stored in a dry, cool location with minimal sunlight, and if planted, the seeds in the seed heads can produce more marigolds the following year.