Looking for a cheerful addition to your garden? Look no further than the marigold. These bright, vividly-colored flowers bring a joyful touch of summer to any outdoor space. Growing marigolds from seed is an easy task that even those new to gardening can do. Let’s take a look at what you need to get started.

the different kinds of marigolds

Marigolds are an annual flower that adds a bright splash of color to gardens during the growing season. There are two main types of marigolds, African and French. African marigolds have large blooms that come in shades of yellow, orange, and white. French marigolds have smaller flowers but come in a wider variety of colors like red, pink, yellow, and orange. While both types of marigolds tend to thrive in hot summer climates, African marigolds require more direct sunlight than French ones. Additionally, African marigolds can sometimes grow to be over 2 feet tall while French varieties usually stay around 8-12 inches in height. Both varieties of marigold make excellent additions to any garden due to their vibrant colors and ease of care.

Recommended Marigolds for a garden of annuals:
African (tall, double including carnation-flowered, chrysanthemum-flowered, dahlia-flowered, peony-flowered; French Single; French Double; Dwarf Signet (Tagetes signata pumila).

Marigolds to grow for variety in color:
Man-in-the-moon, very pale yellow
Glitters, canary yellow
Fluffy Ruffles, gold
Limelight, lime-yellow
Mayling, primrose yellow
Tetra, deep orange.
Dwarf types: Butterball, yellow
Lemon Drop, lemon
Red Head, gold and maroon
Cupid, yellow.

Common reasons why your marigolds might not blossom well:
Too late sowing, too much rain; too heavy or too-rich soil, insufficient sun, overfeeding or over watering.

Getting Ready to Plant Marigolds

To begin, you will need some marigold seeds, potting soil, and planters or flower beds. The type of container you use depends on the size of the plants you would like to grow. If your goal is tall plants with large blooms, then larger planters or beds will be needed; if your goal is more modest plants with smaller blooms, then smaller containers are all you need. To sow the seed, wait until the danger of frost has passed and the last frost date has come and gone. Once you have everything ready and set up in an area where sufficient sunlight is available, it’s time to plant your marigold seeds.

Where to plant marigolds

Marigolds are one of the most popular edging plants and are quite easy to plant. Marigolds prefer a sunny spot in your garden, so if you’re looking to plant marigolds, try to find a location that has the most sun throughout the day. Make sure to give them plenty of space between each plant, as they can grow quite wide. Marigolds do best in soil that is well-draining and rich in organic matter, so adding compost to the area before planting is ideal. When it’s time to water, make sure you are providing them with enough moisture but avoid over-watering as this can cause root rot.

Using marigolds as companion plants to repel pests

Marigolds are wonderful companion plants to have in the garden as they naturally repel many pests. Planting marigolds near vegetables or herbs that are prone to being attacked by these types of pests can help reduce the likelihood of an infestation. Additionally, when planted around the perimeter of your garden or landscape, marigolds can act as a barrier against some garden-invading insects. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs which prey on other pest species and help keep them from damaging your plants. By using companion plants like marigolds, you can create a natural form of pest control that is both efficient and aesthetically pleasing!

Planting Marigolds from Seed

Growing marigolds from seed is a great way to add color and beauty to your garden. Marigolds are an annual flower, meaning they will only bloom for one season, but they can be easily replanted each year because they reseed themselves. Growing marigolds from seed is also a cost effective way to fill your garden with beautiful blooms, as the seeds are generally inexpensive compared to buying established plants. Additionally, growing marigolds from seed allows you to create unique combinations of colors and sizes that may not be available through nurseries or other stores. Plus, it’s a fun activity that can be done with kids! With just a few simple steps you can watch as your tiny seedlings take root and start to grow pretty marigolds in your garden.

Fill the containers halfway with potting soil, sprinkle in some marigold seeds (you can purchase these at your local garden center), cover them lightly with soil, and water gently until moistened. Place the containers in a spot where they will receive lots of sun during the day and wait for germination! Depending on the variety of marigold seeds used, it may take anywhere between 7–14 days for them to germinate. After they have germinated, the seedlings should be transplanted into individual pots or containers. From there, it will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for the marigolds to reach maturity and bloom their first flowers.

The amount of time it takes for a marigold to grow from seed may vary depending on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. In general though, most marigolds will begin blooming within 8 weeks of sowing the seeds. Although it does take some patience, growing marigolds from seed is an enjoyable activity that brings about beautiful results in a short amount of time.

In contrast to other plants which require careful watering and monitoring during their infancy stages, marigolds are incredibly resilient flowers that can tolerate different levels of moisture and tend not to suffer from diseases or pests very often.

Once your plants reach about 4 inches tall (in other words once they’ve been transplanted into their final destinations) it’s important to continue regularly watering them so that they remain healthy and vibrant throughout the summer season. With some patience and regular TLC and perhaps a bit of supplemental composting or fertilizing every few weeks your marigolds should reward you with plenty of bright blooms all summer long!

If you’re looking for an easy yet rewarding way to bring some color into your outdoor space this summer season, why not give growing marigolds from seed a try? These sunny flowers are sure to delight anyone who sees them – gardener or otherwise. With just a bit of preparation and regular maintenance once they’re planted, they will be sure to provide plenty of vivid splashes of color all summer long.