Which marigold is best for insect repellent?
The best marigold when planting for pest control is the French Marigold. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) keep aphids, whiteflies, and even mosquitoes at bay. African Marigolds are not as effective against pests. Beneficial: The bright blooms of French marigolds are particularly good at attracting ladybirds, which eat aphids. French marigolds also attract bees, butterflies, parasitic wasps and hoverflies.French Marigolds are highly effective at deterring a variety of garden pests due to their strong scent. They are especially useful in repelling aphids, mosquitoes, whiteflies, and even root-knot nematodes, making them ideal for vegetable gardens.Flowers That Keep Bugs Away Marigolds – Their scent repels aphids, mosquitoes, and nematodes, making them great companion plants for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Chrysanthemums – Contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in many bug sprays. They help deter roaches, ants, and ticks.Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.
What not to plant with marigolds?
It’s important to point out, however, that not all plants work as marigold companion plants. For example, some gardeners swear that marigolds stunt the growth of pole beans. I’ve also heard that marigolds and cabbage don’t get along so well. From slug control and getting rid of snails, to sap-sucking pests like aphids and spider mites, and other insects, such as beetles and weevils, marigolds are attractive to a range of pests. There are larger pests that destroy plants that marigolds can ‘trap’, too. This includes rabbits, deer, and even squirrels.French Marigolds are highly effective at deterring a variety of garden pests due to their strong scent.In their natural state they’re in fact susceptible to a fair range of pests, just like any other plant. And in fact, many gardeners use that to their advantage, planting marigolds as a trap crop or sacrificial crop near vegetables so the marigolds intercept the likes of aphids and Japanese beetles and get struck first.The compact bushing nature of French marigolds make them a perfect example of a ‘working flower’. Plant several marigolds along with herbs around your vegetable garden and you’ll not only suppress weeds, you’ll attract pollinators, and keep your vegetables healthy!Bushy plants with a compact, mounded shape and bright colors make French marigolds (Tagetes patula) a favorite. They are generally not bothered by insects or disease and make fabulous companion plants for your vegetable garden.
What is the best companion plant for marigolds?
Marigolds and thyme are excellent companion plants that provide a barrier against unwanted insects in your garden. Thyme is another great option to pair with marigolds in order to create a bad insect barrier. This aromatic herb is a low-growing, full sun crop that attracts the good bugs but repels the bad ones. Nematode Control Marigold (Tagetes patula) is a French marigold variety specially selected for its ability to suppress soil-borne nematodes when grown and tilled under. These 30–40 tall, upright annuals provide natural pest defense while adding seasonal beauty with bright orange flowers and yellow centers.French marigolds secrete a substance in their roots that is especially effective in deterring nematodes. This effect can last several seasons. French marigolds are also great for deterring whiteflies. In contrast, Mexican marigolds are the most effective variety in repelling insects.
What is the difference between French and African marigolds?
French marigolds are smaller than 12 inches, the flowers are smaller, and have more color variations like bicolor and tricolor. African Marigolds are around 36 inches tall, have larger flowers, and typically only come in solid color varieties. Marigolds are annuals, which means they die back each year. Since they like warm weather, they likely won’t self-sow unless you’re in a warmer growing zone – most of Mexico, where marigolds are native, are in USDA growing zones 9 and above. However, you can save seeds from the plants to sow next spring.French marigolds and African marigolds are the most common annual varieties, prized for their long-lasting, abundant blooms. Although annual marigolds have a short lifespan, many of them self-seed and grow back the following year.Do marigolds spread? Marigolds are rapidly growing plants and most varieties are self-seeding, which means they will drop seeds and spread throughout your yard or garden. Limit the ability to self-seed by deadheading before blooms go to seed.Once the plants come out of the ground and get bigger and bigger, the growing space soon gets overcrowded. They can’t realize their full potential due to lack of room for growth and consequently lack of light and food as well. The solution to overcrowded pot marigolds is thinning.After the Last Frost Date: Marigold seeds should be planted after the last frost of spring.
What’s the best month to plant marigolds?
Young French and signet species can be planted from spring through midsummer, but the tall African marigolds are best planted right away in the spring (after the danger of frost has passed) because they are slower to mature and produce flowers. Find local frost dates here. Marigolds are typically grown as annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one season and do not come back each year. However, in warm climates, such as USDA zones 9-11, they may reseed and return the following year. Most gardeners replant them annually.Are marigolds perennials or annuals? Actually, both! Most marigolds are annuals, but a few are perennials. Marigolds self-seed so they may appear to be a perennial when in reality, they are just coming back from seed.Marigolds are typically grown as annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one season and do not come back each year. However, in warm climates, such as USDA zones 9-11, they may reseed and return the following year. Most gardeners replant them annually.Sunshine – Marigolds are sun-loving plants. In shade, they may produce foliage, but few blooms will appear. Lack of adequate sunlight is a very common reason for no flowers on marigolds. If this is the problem, move the plants to a location where they are exposed to full sunlight all day.End of Life Cycle: As annuals, marigolds will complete their life cycle within one growing season, typically from spring through fall. Once they have produced seeds, they die and do not return the following year.