Marigolds are hardy, self-seeding flowers. If you live in Zone 8 or higher, your marigolds may not die off during the winter and will probably return with fuller vigour the following spring.
If possible, plant your marigolds on a cloudy day or in the morning; this will help prevent further transplant shock to the plants from the heat.
While it’s not necessary, you can start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before you want to plant them outside. Marigolds can also be directly seeded into the ground outdoors when the soil temperatures reach 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( Late May to Mid June) as well. Short varieties such as the French Marigolds germinate quickly and flower very fast within few weeks after planting. If you use seedlings or plants, you can plant them as soon as the last frost is gone.
Marigolds perform best in full sunlight, although they can handle up to 20% shade. Do not plant them in a fully shaded area, as they will not thrive. [4] X Research source Marigolds are tolerant of dry, sandy soil, but they do not grow well in overly damp soil. Make sure your beds or containers have adequate drainage; you can add a layer of gravel to the bottom and cover it with soil before planting to enhance draining. [5] X Research source
African marigolds Tagetes erecta come in two basic varieties: “large-flowered” and “tall. ” Large-flowered African marigolds are fairly short, at between 12-14” tall, but as the name suggests have very large blossoms (up to 3. 5” inches in diameter). Tall African marigolds have small flowers but can grow up to 3’ tall. Both almost always produce orange or yellow flowers. African marigolds may also be referred to as “American” marigolds. French marigolds Tagetes patula come in two basic varieties: “large-flowered” and “dwarf. ” Large-flowered French marigolds are between 12-16” tall with large (up to 2”) flower blossoms. Dwarf French marigolds rarely grow higher than 12” and produce small flowers. French marigolds come in varieties of yellow, gold, and orange. Triploid marigolds are a hybrid of French and African marigolds and are also sometimes known as “mule” marigolds because they cannot reproduce. They grow fairly tall and produce large (up to 2”) flowers. Single marigolds are also known as signet marigolds Tagetes tenuifolia. They are quite different in appearance from other marigold varieties because their flowers have very simple, almost daisy-like flowers rather than the thick, bushy blossoms of most other marigold types also these varieties are more wild looking.
French marigolds start from seed much faster than African marigolds. Hybrid varieties will not usually start from seed. [6] X Research source If you have leftover seeds, you can save them for the following growing season. Seal them in an air-tight container such as a mason jar in a cool, dry place.
You can also use an egg carton filled with potting mix to start your seeds.
Remove any sticks, stones, or debris from the soil. These will hinder root growth.
The three numbers on packaged fertilizer reflect the concentrations of each nutrient. Marigolds thrive on a 20-10-20 (20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 20% potassium) fertilizer. [9] X Research source Don’t over-fertilize the soil or it will actually damage your marigolds. Fertilizing once every two weeks is plenty. It’s also a good idea to dilute your fertilizer more than the package recommends. In place of fertilizer, you can use compost instead.
Try to avoid using a garden hose to water your plants. The force of the water may wash away the top layer of soil.
To keep marigolds compact, pinch off new, unwanted growth. [10] X Research source
Some marigold species are edible. If you use marigolds in any edible preparation, wash them thoroughly first to remove any insecticidal soap residue. Do not eat marigolds that have had chemical pesticides sprayed on them.
