Tips on how to plant and care for Marigold flowers

One of the most easiest and beautiful annuals to grow is marigold flowers. Marigold flowers is a compact flowers, ranging in color from pale yellow to deep orange and rust, this flower makes a spectacular addition to pots, baskets and borders or simply scattered throughout the garden. Marigold flowers are quick germinator and it has a distinct spicy aroma and it adds a splash of color all summer long. Marigold flowers look great in dried floral arrangements too. This plant is not fussy and it tolerates a wide range of soil and climate conditions, in all they love heat. Marigold flowers have a lot of variety available, from miniature to giant. You can grow Marigold flowers in and around vegetable plants to repel insect pests.

Basic facts and requirements

       1. Sunlight requirement: Marigold flowers need full sun.

       2. The maturity date: The maturity date is 50-80 days from seed to flower.

       3. The Height: Marigold flowers are about 6 to 18 inches.

       4. Plant spacing: It should be 8 to 18 inches apart in all directions.

Land preparation for planting

Like I said earlier Marigolds flowers are not fussy and they can tolerate most conditions. Marigolds flowers will really thrive in a rich, well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine. Also a generous amount of organic compost or well-aged manure should be mixed into the garden prior to planting, this will really improve the health of the flowers. Make sure you keep the soil moist, don’t allow it to be too wet.

How to plant Marigold flowers

Make sure you sow the marigold seed directly in the ground and then cover it with a thin layer of soil (about 1/8 inch deep). Make sure you water it thoroughly. You can thin it to 8-18 inches apart after the seedlings have sprouted. The Marigold plant can also be started early indoors under grow lights for transplanting outdoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.

Once it is established and healthy the plant will continue to grow easily, even if it is left unattended. Make sure you water it to keep the soil moist, don’t allow it to be too wet.

Try as much as possible to provide nutrients monthly with a bud and bloom booster once the plants have started flowering. You can pinch off the spent blossoms to extend the flowering season. Also mulch in other to prevent weeds, conserve moisture and improve aesthetics. This plant will not survive a hard frost or freeze.

Pest and disease control

This plant really has few problems with insect pests. The marigold flowers can be planted around cabbage and broccoli plants to help deter and repel cabbage moths. Make sure you keep an eye out for slugs, which can decimate the plants overnight. Also make sure you monitor closely and treat with Sluggo® Bait or diatomaceous earth if any damage is found.

You can spray soft-bodied pests, like aphids and spider mites, with a strong stream of water in other to reduce pest numbers or you can spot treat heavily infested areas with safer’s® Soap for immediate control.

Furthermore, this plant produces lots of seed in a similar fashion to zinnia or calendula. Immediately the blooms dry out, you can cut them off and hang them upside down in bundles. The marigold seeds are contained in the heads and once they are dry and crisp they can be hand-crushed and winnowed from the seed chaff.