🏵️ Marigold
Tagetes spp.
The garden's bouncer — bright, tough, and quietly running pest control.
Sun
Full sun, 6+ hrs
Days to harvest
50-60 days from seed; blooms summer through frost
Spacing
8-12 inches apart
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
How to grow
Direct sow after frost danger or start indoors 4-6 weeks early — marigolds germinate fast and grow faster. They want full sun and average soil; rich soil grows leaves at the expense of flowers. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are the nematode-suppressing, compact edging type; African marigolds (T. erecta) are the big pom-pom showboats.
Water & feeding
Water at the base; established plants handle drought, but even moisture keeps blooms coming.
Common problems
- Spider mites in hot, dry weather — rinse foliage.
- Slugs on seedlings.
- Few serious issues — famously easy.
Harvest
Deadhead for continuous bloom; cut for cheerful bouquets — the pungent foliage actually helps them last.
Nerdy fact: Marigold roots exude alpha-terthienyl, a compound that suppresses root-knot nematodes — which is why gardeners plant them around tomatoes. It's chemical warfare, but make it flowers.