MARIGOLD

Marigolds are grown all over the world and used in traditional Mexican and Indian celebrations.

Marigolds are cheery, easy to grow flowers (even from seed) that usually come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They are good for containers as well as in the vegetable garden; their lack of appeal to deer and rabbits makes them a great addition to your garden plan!

VARIETY: Lemon Drop

BLOOM COLOR: yellow

BOTANICAL NAME: Tagetes patula (French type)

ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL?: annual

WARM SEASON OR COOL SEASON?: warm season - may be able to handle light frost if plant is well established, will not survive hard frost or freeze

PLANT SIZE: 6 to 12 inches tall with blooms about 1 inch across

LIGHT NEEDS: at least 6 hours of full sun a day for optimal blooming

WATER NEEDS: normal (about an inch of water total per week), somewhat drought-tolerant

FERTILIZER NEEDS: low (weak balanced fertilizer every 6 weeks, you can use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer after blooming begins) - will be fine without fertilizer in soil higher in organic matter

IDEAL SOIL CONDITIONS: well-drained soil

PLANT SPACING FOR TRANSPLANTS: 8 to 10 inches apart

PLANT SUPPORTS NEEDED?: no

WHEN TO PLANT OUT: after last frost date

CAN IT BE PLANTED IN A CONTAINER?: yes

DURING GROWTH: hot weather may slow blooming but flowers usually return in cooler weather before frost

WATCH FOR THESE PESTS/DISEASES: slugs, powdery mildew (especially when watered from above or if grown in humid conditions)

TIME TO BLOOM: 50 to 80 days - blooms summer to frost

DEADHEADING: helps prolong bloom season and can help plants form bushier foliage habit

PLANT USES: cut flowers, edible flowers, may discourage nematodes in soil near marigold plants, may deter cucumber beetles and squash bugs if marigolds are planted near host plants for those insects

POLLINATOR FRIENDLY?: yes, attracts moths, butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects