Sow seeds, cover, firm down and water well. Sow seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost (especially recommended for the taller cultivars) or direct-seed when the soil is warm. African marigolds are beloved for their bright large, fully double flower heads, and French marigolds are bushy and compact with small flowers and a neat overall appearance. All of these recommendations are the faster-maturing French type marigolds, T. patula. Scrape back a little bit of soil to use for covering the seeds. Planting Marigolds in Florida. When all chance of frost has passed, you can transplant your marigolds outside. Compare your number of frost-free days with the number of days the plant needs to reach maturity. Don't leave them in dry soil for more than a couple of days. Growing marigold plants from seed, a simple how to guide. They will flower from June to September. Moreover, marigolds finally became a garden flower in North America. It is preferable to use a nutrient-enriched soil or mix when starting seeds, rather than straight topsoil, as it will give the seeds an extra nutritional boost and make it easy for young roots to take hold. Give them full … How to Plant Marigolds. The French Marigold stands out due to its brightly colored blooms in hues of yellow, brown, and orange. That’s why these plants smell like summer – and not spring. Press seeds lightly into the soil, then cover lightly with the soil you pushed to the side, so that they are buried 1/2 inch deep. Increase to 16 hours a day over the first month. In Colorado French Marigolds (Tagetes) pretty much grow like weeds. Marigolds can also be purchased as transplants from most garden centers. 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The variety of marigold you plant is essential if you’re planting for pest control. Water daily for the first week. Marigolds are spaced according to whether you are planting seeds or transplants and in relation to the expected width of the specific variety. Here are some reasons why you might want to start your marigolds indoors instead: If you decide to start your seeds indoors, plan to sow them 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date. Planting marigold seeds at the right time is important. Marigolds are most commonly thought to be the little orange and yellow flowers everybody grows because everybody can grow them. How to Grow China Aster for Color in the Late Summer Garden, How to Grow Pansies and Violas for Multi-Season Color, How to Grow Anise Hyssop: A Flowering Perennial Perfect for Borders, 9 Fast-Growing Vegetables and Herbs to Pep Up Your Pantry Menu, How to Identify and Treat Hydrangea Diseases, 11 of the Best Gardening-Themed Books for Children, If you are growing a faster maturing variety, such as most French (. There’s lots of variation in climate conditions in this part of the country – I’m in NE Utah and a full zone lower than the next town over. Plant them in the spring and you’ll have a whole new generation of marigolds. Anyone see it around I’ve checked all places of seed exchanges etc. These plants are frost tolerant and are good as a garden bed plant or container plants for outdoor spaces. How to Plant Marigold Seeds – Most home gardeners like to have beautiful flowers with a pleasant fragrance. Remove the Marigold Seeds. The seeds also differ between the two plants. Level out the soil and pat it gently to firm it up. Pot marigold, Calendula, is a joyful flower.The simple, daisy-like blooms in yellow and orange come in single, semi-double or fully double forms. Marigolds are tender annuals, which means they are not at all cold hardy and will be damaged or killed by frost. Separate seedlings once they are 2 inches tall. In fact, their hardiness makes it unnecessary to start marigold seeds indoors. If you are able to successfully grow warm-season crops like tomatoes, squash, eggplant, and peppers  without concerns about them being killed by early frosts, you probably have a long growing season in your area. On the other hand, if you have had issues with these crops getting hit with early frosts in the past, you are probably like me and many other northern and high elevation gardeners who must deal with the challenges of a short growing season. Kristina Hicks-Hamblin lives on a dryland permaculture homestead in the high desert of Utah. Sow marigolds in spring, or set them out as bedding plants. Sign up for our newsletter. However, if your growing season only has an average of 104 days (my growing season is closer to this number), you might not get to enjoy the blooms at all if you sow seeds outdoors. Companion planting: Marigolds are one of the most popular companion plants for vegetable gardens. Propagating Marigolds . Don't leave them in dry soil for more than a couple of days. Should I Grow Marigold Seeds Or Plants? Do not sow the marigold seeds too deep, cover the seeds lightly with soil. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! They adorn gardens from early summer until late autumn. While some marigolds are edible others can be toxic. You’ll find the ‘Durango’ mix, and an assortment of other ‘Durango’ colors, in packs of 1000 seeds at True Leaf Market. Plants reach 10-12 inches in height and have a 9-inch spread. They are quick and easy to grow from seed, germinating in … Marigolds are easy to plant and can do well in virtually any type of soil. Sow seeds of both types of marigolds outdoors after the last frost. Once plants are established, give them a good soak about once a week. Marigold flowers give a burst of color to annual gardens. 5 The marigold plants are ready to harvest. Probably one of the most commonly planted annuals in the world, Marigolds are a fantastic variety to begin as they were, most likely, the first seed you may have planted as a child. Start your plant at 12 hours of light per day. There are three main types of marigolds. It is because marigolds’ fragrance can repel certain pests. Avoid sowing more than 2 seeds in the same division of your seed planter; sowing too many seeds in the same spot will force them to fight for sunlight and oxygen and will prevent rapid growth. Sow seeds directly into a sunny, well-drained garden bed once the soil is warm in spring, or get a head start and sow into pots in late autumn. Seems like a good deal to me! By: Deborah Stephenson 21 September, 2017. Tagetes Asteraceae Marigold 'Tangerine Gem'Marigold 'Lemon Gem' Temperature Germination: 22°C Growth: 24°C Light Marigolds do best with plenty of light. Care: Marigolds don't require deadheading, but if spent blooms are clipped, the plants will continue to bloom profusely. Grow marigold seeds to bring the colour of sunshine to your garden in all weathers. Marigolds are a garden staple, known for their bright flowers and pest repelling qualities. The “Brownie Scout Marigold” was the seed my mom gave me to plant. How to Plant Marigold Seeds. There are fewer steps involved, fewer materials required, and you avoid the risk of transplant shock. Storing marigold seeds is best done in a paper envelope so any additional moisture can escape. Wait for the Marigolds to Dry Before Harvesting. However, I have been searching high and low for the marigold seed that got me started. Thanks for sharing your additional tips! Or perhaps both? If your area is prone to late killing frosts in the spring or early summer. 5 Sow the seeds in the soil. This opens up your options to enjoy exciting new cultivars, and saves quite a bit of money in your gardening budget, to boot. Healthy Marigold plant 1 The seeds have only just been planted. Marigolds are hardy to hot and cold temperatures. Refer to the package directions for the appropriate planting depth, as this will vary by marigold breed. Start your plant at 12 hours of light per day. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. 5 The marigold … Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. Decrease to 10 hours per day over the second month. For a full guide on starting plants from seeds, see my blog post titled “The complete guide to starting plants from seeds indoors”. You’ll enjoy gorgeous blooms early in the season, whether you sow indoors in flats or outdoors in the garden. tall. You can also get a jump start on your marigold plants by starting seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Here are a few tips for you to get started: About a week before you wish to transplant your seedlings, start hardening them off outdoors to acclimate them to their new growing conditions. [1] X Research source Short varieties should be spaced a foot (0.5 m.) apart, and tall varieties should be 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) apart. If your final frost date is late, you’ll really benefit from planting marigold seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. You don’t want to plant marigold seeds too early. Soil Marigolds have no particular soil requirements. 2. These traditional cottage garden plants were often used in healing remedies and have added benefits as the petals are edible and they make good companion plants for vegetables. If you’re dealing with heavy clay, mix in some compost to help with drainage. Plant them in loose soil or in a pot or container. They have a distinctive scent, which many gardeners use to deter whitefly from their other plants by growing marigolds among them. Glorious marigolds flower in the colors of the sun: brilliant yellow, bold orange, bright white, rich gold and warm red tones. SEED COLLECTION (Tagetes erecta) Collecting marigold seeds may result in being buried in marigolds, because these flowers produce a lot of seeds per bloom.It’s beyond easy to wind up with enough seeds to fill a mason jar by constantly harvesting from only a few plants- … How to Plant Sow seeds directly into the flower bed and just cover and keep them warm and moist. 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