Viewing comments posted by Samlav

Tagetes patula, French marigolds, are easy to grow from seed, and they produce an abundant amount of seeds. I have had many self-sow in my garden as well. They germinate quickly in warm weather, and when they are 1-2 inches tall they are ready for easy transplanting, about 10-12 inches apart. They do not need to be deadheaded, but are more prolific if they are. They produce many blossoms per plant and are heat tolerant with a little water when the soil gets dry.

Their lacey leaves produce a chemical, alpha-terthienyl, that deters: nematodes, slugs, tomato horned worms, leaf hoppers, bean beetles, mosquitos, and white fly. They can be a great companion plants for: tomatoes, potatoes, bush beans, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, squash, eggplant and kale. The plant makes an effective pest spray and cover crop. Deer and rabbits avoid them. Conversely, they attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, so it is important to grow them organically.

They provide bright, showy color in the landscape as a border, in planters, and for a vegetable garden. I prefer the petite variety since I like the look of neat, tidy borders. They demand your attention in a variety of colors. They commonly come in colors such as vanilla, yellow, orange, russet, red, and bi-color yellow and orange. The more recent and rare colors developed are strawberry-blonde, rose pink, and even blue! As a cut flower, they last in a bouquet and the many varieties offer different heights.

Historically, the French popularized these flowers. They were originally brought from Mexico and Central America, and thus the common name "French Marigolds" originated. Shakespeare wrote of them in "A Writer's Tale." He wrote, "The Marigold that goes to bed wi' the sun, and with him rises weeping."

If you have not cultivated tagetes patula yet, you really must give these beautiful, beneficial flowers a try!