Marigolds (Tagetes): The Flower That Protects Vegetables
1 min read By Екипът на Seeds
Marigolds flower from June until the first frost and repel some pests. How to sow them.
Sowing
Marigolds are sown for transplants in March–April or directly outside in mid-May. The seeds germinate quickly — in 5–7 days at 20 °C. Cover them with 0.5 cm of soil.
Spacing and position
- Dwarf varieties: 20–25 cm, for edging.
- Tall (African) types: 40 cm, for cutting.
- Full sun, any soil.
A helper for vegetables
Marigold roots release substances that reduce nematodes in the soil, and their scent confuses some flying pests. Plant them in the rows between tomatoes, potatoes and cabbages.
Long flowering
Remove spent flowers — the plant immediately produces new ones. Leave a few to dry on the plant: from them you will collect your own seed for next year.
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
