Why You Should Always Grow Marigolds In The Garden

Marigolds are mainly known for the warm colors of their yellow flowers, and orange flowers, but more than that, they are an excellent choice to add to your garden. Because they make great companion plants for many vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

But that’s not all. This popular flower can be your secret weapon since the scent of marigolds can repel many insects and pests as well from your old and new plants. Below we’ve shared the answers to why plant marigolds in vegetable garden and flower garden and why are marigolds good for the garden.

Cheery and bright Marigolds are always a welcome sight in any garden. Their warm-hued blooms bring a special allure and make your garden look interesting. Making them a popular choice for many.

But did you know that a Marigolds garden or Marigolds in your existing garden or vegetable garden are just as beneficial as they are beautiful? Marigold plants are known to attract beneficial insects with their colorful flower heads. They also have the ability to repel garden pests, making them great additions to any garden. Even vegetable gardeners love these colorful flowers.

Today, we’ll be talking about why plant Marigolds in garden, vegetable garden, or your flower garden. Let’s get started!

Different Species Of Marigolds Include:

• African marigolds
• Pot marigolds
• Signet marigolds ( are also known as Tagetes tenuifolia)
• Mexican marigold ( are also known as Aztec marigolds are tagetes species)
• French marigolds (are also known as tagetes patula, American marigold, t. patula and tagetes erecta)
• Triploid marigolds

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They Attract Pollinators

Pollinators like bees play a vital role in the success of a garden. They help plants reproduce and increase your crop yield.

If you have wondered, do bees like marigolds or do marigolds attract bees into my backyard, the answer is yes. Marigolds in the garden are great for attracting and sustaining the population of bees in your garden. Bees and pollinators are attracted to yellow of the marigold petals, so Marigolds are great for attracting them.

Go for single-bloom varieties of marigold flowers are double flowers and have a double bloom. You should also pick organically-grown marigolds since these low-maintenance bushy plants do not contain pesticides that may be bad for the bees and your garden.

They Protect Tomatoes From Pests

If you’ve ever asked yourself can you plant marigolds and tomatoes together? The answer is yes. Growing marigolds and tomatoes together are a match made in heaven. These golden blooms help repel predatory insects like nematodes, slugs, and tomato hornworms. Who knew Marigolds repel garden pests?

French Marigolds, especially, are great for protecting tomatoes. These low-maintenance plants roots produce toxic chemicals that kill nematodes.

Plus, the pungent smell of Marigolds also helps keep insect pests at bay. It makes them an excellent addition and companion plant for tomato plants.

They’re An Excellent Companion Plant

Marigolds are also perfect companion plants for a lot of edible mature plants. They’re great when paired with bush beans, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, squash, eggplant, roses, strawberry, and kale.

You can also plant this perfect companion plant as borders around flower beds. Marigolds help mask the scent of other plants in your garden, which keeps them safe from pests.

Moreover, the chemicals present in the roots of Marigolds also inhibit the growth of unwanted weeds.

They Add a Splash of Color to Your Garden

They Can Be Perennial

I get asked a lot: “Are Marigolds Perennial?” The answer is yes AND no. It depends on the variety and the zone.

I know the first year Ii saw mine come back I wondered the same. Also, keep in mind that although you may see Marigolds come back in your garden each year, they may not be perennials, but they may be a product of seed having been dropped in your garden the season before.

Some marigold varieties are true perennials, meaning they’ll come back year after year.

Some of the most popular varieties of perennial marigolds include:

• Mexican marigold (Tagetes lemmonii): This tall, shrubby marigold can grow up to 6 feet tall and produces bright yellow flowers with red centers. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11.
• Mountain marigold (Tagetes palmeri): This low-growing marigold typically reaches about 3 feet tall and produces small, golden-yellow flowers. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10.
• Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida): This petite marigold grows to about 1-3 feet tall and produces small, green flowers with a strong mint scent. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10.
• Fernleaf marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia): This delicate marigold has slender, feathery leaves and small, yellow flowers. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10.
• Signet marigold (Tagetes signata): This marigold is known for its unique, daisy-like flowers with orange or yellow petals and a dark red center. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10.

These are just a few of the many varieties of perennial marigolds available. With their diverse range of colors, sizes, and fragrances, perennial marigolds can add beauty and interest to any garden.

In fact, perennial marigolds offer a host of benefits, including:

• Longevity: They’ll return year after year, saving you the hassle of replanting each season.
• Durability: They’re tough and resilient, able to withstand harsh winters and hot summers.
• Adaptability: They can thrive in a variety of soil types and climates.
• Beauty: They produce stunning blooms that attract pollinators and add a splash of color to your garden.
• Pest control: They’re known to repel pests, making them a valuable addition to your organic gardening.

So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance flower that’s both beautiful and beneficial, consider adding perennial marigolds to your garden.

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They’re Easy To Care For

One of the best things about Marigolds is that they are low maintenance. They are fairly easy to care for and they can grow for several seasons.

Not only that, but they’re also a hardy species that can tolerate drought and frost. They can also grow in practically any soil condition as long as there is good drainage, so you don’t end up with root rot. For how to grow marigolds, you only need to sow in the pot marigold seeds 1/8 inches deep, cover lightly with well-drained soil or potting mix, and keep them moist.

Here are a few tips for keeping your marigolds healthy and happy:

Sunlight: Marigolds thrive in full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade. Choose a planting location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

Soil: Marigolds prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.

Watering: Marigolds are drought-tolerant once established, but they’ll need regular watering during the first few weeks after planting. Water deeply instead of frequently and allow the soil to dry out a little between watering.

Fertilizer: Marigolds don’t need a lot of fertilizer. A light application of a well balanced fertilizer in the spring is usually fine.

Deadheading: Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage your marigolds to continue blooming throughout the season. Just pinch off the spent flowers with your fingers or use pruning shears.

Pests and Diseases: Marigolds are pretty resistant to most pests and diseases. But, they can be susceptible to powdery mildew if they are in humid conditions. To prevent powdery mildew, make sure there’s plenty of air circulation around your plants and water them at the base of the plant instead of overhead.

Overwintering: Some of marigolds are perennial, meaning they’ll come back year after year. If you live in a climate with mild winters, you can protect your perennial marigolds by mulching them with a layer of straw or shredded leaves.

So, you can see with just a little care they will bloom like crazy for you!

FAQ: Marigolds

Q: Do marigolds come back?

Answer: Do marigolds come back the following year? The answer to that is yes, but not as perennials do. They come back from seed pods. This is because they self-seed.

Q: Are marigolds perennials?

Answer: Are Marigolds perennials? They are actually both; most are annual flowers, but a few are perennials. Many people tend to get confused and think all marigolds are perennials. This is because they come back every year.

Q: What do marigolds attract?

Answer: What do marigolds attract? Marigolds for garden attract many beneficial insects due to their bright colors but such as: Lady beetles, honeybees, hoverflies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.

Q: Do earwigs eat marigolds?

Answer: Do earwigs eat marigolds? Yes, you can find earwigs eating flowers from your marigolds garden. They are also known for eating harmful aphids, snails, slugs, larvae, and nematodes. Unlike pollinators, you may consider them beneficial insects as long as you can control them.

Q: Do marigolds attract pollinators?

Answer: Do marigolds attract pollinators? The answer to that is: Marigolds are great for attracting and sustaining the population of bees in your garden. So if you ever wondered what are Marigolds good for you now have an answer.

Q: Are marigolds good for bees?

Answer: Are marigolds good for bees? They are but be sure you pick organically-grown marigolds in garden since these easy plants do not contain pesticides that may be bad for the bees.

Q: Should I plant marigolds in my vegetable garden?

Answer: Should I plant marigolds in my vegetable garden? Yes, they bring a bright and colorful element to your garden and look great next to your vegetable plants but their color also attracts pollinators. They are also known for repelling harmful pests.

Q: Where to plant marigolds in vegetable garden?

Answer: Where to plant marigolds in my vegetable garden? The best place to grow them is next to your tomato plants. They fight off tomato hornworms and other pests that attack your tomato plant. But you can grow them anywhere if they receive partial to full sun. They can even be grown in poor soil quality. Planting them on the outer edge of your garden may help repel more pests.

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