As a professional kitchen nurseryman , I hear a lot of marigolds in all the vegetable garden . They are not only beautiful , but they are also very utile .
Marigolds deserve a home in any vegetable garden . They are idealistic to grow with vegetables for multiple cause . Marigolds not only look great , but they can also be rust . They are also great as comrade plant in any vegetable garden .
I have always acquire marigolds in my veggie gardens . In all the kitchen gardens I work in , they were there , and I produce them in my own vegetable plots at home .
The good types for a vegetable garden are French marigolds ( Tagetes patula ) and the signet , or jewel , types . They grow less tall than the big , statuesque African marigolds , and you’re able to apply them in a peck of different way around your plants .
flora marigolds in a sunny spot in the veggie garden ( deferred payment : sheryl caston / Alamy Stock Photo )
Marigolds are a upbeat , colorful peak that most nurseryman are familiar with . But did you know that marigold are n’t just fairly faces ? These flowers in reality dish out a pragmatic intention in the vegetable garden by helping to protect and stick out the growth of vegetables .
In this clause , we ’ll research the benefits marigolds provide and the practiced pattern for where and how to plant marigold in your veggie garden .
Why Plant Marigolds in a Vegetable Garden?
There are a few key reason why marigolds are a nurseryman ’s beneficial Quaker when it amount to grow vegetable :
Pest deterrent – Marigolds contain Dalmatian pyrethrum , a lifelike chemical substance that helps deter unwashed veg pestilence like mosquito , aphids , whiteflies , squash hemipteran , and tomato hornworms . Some also fight off nematodes and other harmful soil - dwelling organism .
Pollinator attractant – The bright , fragrant prime attract good pollinating insects like bee , butterflies , and hoverflies to your garden . More pollinator visitor means better pollenation and fruit band for your vegetables .
Companion planting benefits – When planted near certain vegetables , marigold have been shown to excite growth , increase yield , and make the plant more disease - resistant through intricate natural processes that scientists do n’t fully sympathize . More on companion planting benefits later .
Beautification – With their cheery color and ability to bloom non - stop all season , marigolds simply make a vegetable garden more attractive !
Where to Plant Marigolds in a Vegetable Garden
Now that you know why to implant marigolds , rent ’s explore the optimal locating for draw all these benefits in your veggie garden .
As Single Companion Plants
One very common feeler is to plant marigolds as companion flora next to specific vegetable diversity they gain . Some try - and - true union include :
When planting marigold as companions , place them within 6 - 12 inches of the veg plant . you’re able to stud individual marigold plants throughout your garden seam near their crony harvest .
In Wild Profusion
Another option is to let marigold run freely throughout your vegetable beds . When planted en masse in a polyculture system , marigold will happily fill in blank blank space and meander through your vegetable .
This result in a gorgeous , almost wildflower meadow - like burden . It also maximizes pest protection across your integral garden since the marigolds ’ ancestor commingle and perfume the whole area .
As Intercropping Rows
For a neater , more ordered facial expression , marigolds can be imbed as rows in between row of vegetables in an intercropping scheme . As an bring bonus , the marigold supply a vibrant splatter of color !
Some exercise :
As Garden Borders
Finally , planting marigolds along the verboten edges and perimeters of your growing space makes for an attractive border . It also helps deter pests from ever making it into your garden in the first place .
stress encircling your entire vegetable garden with marigolds 1 - 2 plants deep . you could also describe them along :
This protective edge approach shot is sometimes called the “ sacrificial lamb ” method since the marigolds act as lure to lure pests by from your crops .
Marigold Planting Tips
opt marigold varieties that are known to do best as fellow plants like Signet , Petite , or Lemondrop .
Start seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before your last expected frost appointment , or buy nursery transplants .
Plant marigolds in full sun in well - debilitate ground . They choose poor to average fertility
Space marigolds 6 - 12 inch apart depending on variety size of it . They grow 12 - 30 inches tall on average .
abstract or trim marigold flowers once spent to encourage newfangled blooms .
At season end , till spent plant life into vegetable beds to add organic topic .
Ask An Expert: How Close Do Marigolds Need to Be?
On a popular gardening forum , a user call VeggieGrower88 asked :
“ How close do marigold familiar plants need to be to my vegetable in purchase order to be effective ? Is it ok if they are across the garden bottom from each other ? ”
MasterGardener101 replied :
“ bang-up interrogative ! Most experts recommend planting marigolds within 6 - 12 inches of their companion vegetable . Some believe they need to be affecting or extremely unaired for the companion effects to work . However , studies have shown benefits even when planted further away across a garden layer up to several foot aside . The pest deterrent personal effects in special run to have a wider reach . That say , closer proximity is conceive to enhance the other growth and disease fighting benefits . So take aim for 6 - 12 inches if potential , but do n’t accentuate if they terminate up a bit further aside ! ”
The Takeaway
Marigolds extend an comfortable , colorful way to naturally protect your vegetable garden from pests while pull in pollinator and improving growth . Strategically set them as undivided fellow traveler plants , wild richness plantings , dandy intercropping rows , or border plantings . With proper charge and placement , they ’ll soon become your most treasured ornamental edible garden help !
Plant them in pots and raised beds
Gallic marigolds will gayly grow planted as part of a vegetable container garden ( reference : Getty s / Alex Potemkin )
If you have a vegetable container garden , it is still worthful to plant marigolds . You do n’t need a lot of plants to make a difference , especially since Gallic marigolds have a strong look that keep bugs away .
you may plant marigolds around the boundary of large toilet or raised beds to get all of the benefits number above for planting with other plant . instead , merely dot some small pot of marigold around a little veggie garden .
Plant them between vegetables
pollinator are pull to marigold planted in a veggie garden ( deferred payment : schnuddel / E+ / Getty s )
you’re able to also plant marigolds among your vegetable , either one at a prison term , in group , or in course between the plants .
They actively repel many insects but also attract others . This means they can also be used as trap plants for pesterer controller . Marigolds can attract those worm and preclude them from affecting other crops they may otherwise work mayhem on . For instance , slugs like marigolds , and the plants can keep thripid away from other crops by drawing them to them .
How to Plant Marigolds in Vegetable Gardens : The Chef’s Garden
FAQ
Should you plant marigolds in your vegetable garden ?
What veggie do n’t like marigolds ?
How secretive should I establish marigolds to tomato plant ?
