ANNUALS > MARIGOLDS > sow
IN THIS GUIDE
MARIGOLDS GUIDES
Companion PlantingDeadheadingPlantingSowingVarieties
When we talk about marigolds in the UK , we might be let the cat out of the bag about a bit of different plants .
marigold such as Gallic and African marigolds are member of the Tagetes genus , but Calendula ( Calendula officinalis)are also bring up to as ‘ stack Marigolds’here in the UK .
French Marigolds
In this guidebook , we are talking about Tagetes marigolds , which as luck would have it , are very easy to sow .
Choosing A Variety
There are several unlike types of marigold that you might grow in your garden .
The first thing that you will have to think about if you are believe grow these annual from seed is which coinage and variety you would like to develop .
You might conceive :
There are , of course , hatful of named varieties that you might opt within each of these category .
How you set about planting Marigold seed is very much hooked on two factors : your geographical realm and the Marigold eccentric , viz . T. erectaversusT. patula – ‘ African Marigold ’ versus ‘ French Marigold ’ .
This is becauseT. patulacultivars come into flower within only 60 days whileT. erectacultivars usually call for at least 75 day and even up to 100 to bloom .
In conjunction with that , reckon your area ’s growing season – in the north and Midlands it will be shorter than in the south - due west of the land .
In most regions you should be capable to plantT. patulacultivar seed directly outdoors and enjoy a long blooming time of year .
WithT. erectacultivars , your region ’s growing season will order whether you’re able to establish ejaculate alfresco or whether you should start them indoors .
So , for representative , in Leeds , with an ordinary originate time of year of 163 day , if you inseminate seeded player directly alfresco ( not that we recommend it ) you could enjoyT. patulaMarigolds for three months but it would be a wastefulness to sowT. erectadirectly outdoors .
When To Sow Tagetes
When you will sow your marigolds will depend on whether you design to sow them indoors or seed them directly where they are to rise in your garden .
Typically , marigolds are sown between March and May .
When planting indoors , you should aim to seed towards the beginning of this time full point , and outdoor sowing should be carried out only after you occur the last Robert Frost date in your domain .
look up back to the guidepost above and the dissimilar marigold type to project when in force to sow yours .
Sowing Indoors
If you determine to sow your marigold seed indoors , prepare a germ tray or other containers filled with good character compost that is plenteous , moist yet gratis - draining .
A seed - starting compost is ideal .
Scatter the marigold seeds over the surface of the growing spiritualist , then cover them lightly ( to a depth of around 5 mm ) with a little of your grow medium .
The seeds should germinate relatively rapidly , as long as you keep the trays or pots in a warm place .
Marigold seeded player do not ask verbatim light to germinate but they do require the good temperature , and humidity is preferable .
Soil temperature should oscillate around 21 ° nose candy for the seed to germinate .
you’re able to introduce humidness by deal ( but not sealing ) the pots with adhere cinema or shrink wrapper .
you may unremarkably expect them to pullulate in 5 - 7 days or so .
Once the seedling are around 4 - 5 cm tall , goad them out and pot them on into their own individual containers and grow them in a frost - gratis placement until all danger of hoar has passed in your area .
Once all risk of hoar has passed , you could harden off then plant out your untested marigolds in the garden in a sheltered position that set about plenty of full Sunday .
They should begin to bloom within a matter of weeks .
Direct Sowing
If you decide to sow marigold seeds outside where they are to grow , then you should verify that you do so after the peril of frost has passed in your area .
In late spring , develop the area for sowing by clear up weed and raking the grime spirit level .
“ When sow out of doors , especially in movement , I find something called the stale seedbed proficiency very utile , ” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish .
“ This means preparing the earth thoroughly a few week before you destine to sow , include forking and then rake to consolidate .
“ This gives a few weeks for any dope seeds , brought to the open by your hard work , to evolve .
“ These can be lifted cautiously , with minimal disturbance , and the dry land can be sown into .
“ It should reduce the telephone number of weed seeds which germinate later and then interlope among a drift of marigolds . ”
Ifplanting into a bedor border , top apparel this with well - rot homemade compost .
If you wish to develop marigolds in containers , fill these with a peat - devoid multipurpose mix , making certain that the soil is dampish before plant .
Just like when sow in indoors , cover the seeds only softly .
They should germinate well and relatively quickly .
you may then only thin the seedlings that emerge to give a net spacing of 10 - 20 curium , depending on the specific diverseness that you have choose to grow .
They should also bloom within weeks of sowing as long as they are in the right-hand position and cared for aright .
