Dwarf Orange Marigold

I started with six 1" Dwarf Orange Marigold starters from Fred Meyer Garden Center.  I planted them all around the garden in terra cotta pots and cedar boxes.  Dwarf Orange Marigolds produce large, crested double flowers with a deep orange hue. Perfect for gardens or containers.  While marigolds are a natural pesticide for vegetable gardens, they do attract slugs in wet weather.

Growing Tips: Dwarf Orange Marigolds prefer full sun.  Plant 4" apart, grows 10 - 12" tall.  Remove dead flower blooms to encourage new growth throughout the summer.

White Marigolds

Marigolds will bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. They give off a pungent odor that adds a lovely smell to any outdoor garden plus, the aroma of marigolds are not favored by many garden insects making them a natural companion plant in vegetable gardens to keep insects away. Marigolds are very easy to grow from seed, start indoors and transplant outdoors after the first frost for best results. (right) My White Marigolds in late August 2009.

Growing Tips: White Marigolds prefer full to partial sun and water as needed. Remove dead flower blooms to encourage new growth.

Safari Yellow Marigold

I started with multiple 4" starter plants of Safari Yellow Marigolds from Tanasacres Nursery. Marigolds naturally repel many garden pests so I planted them all around my vegetable, herb and flower garden. Marigolds bloom all summer and are very aromatic which make them a wonderful splash of color for any garden. (right) My Safari Yellow Marigolds mixed with an orange marigold plant in a single pot.

Growing Tips: Marigolds prefer full sun and planted 4" - 12" apart (the tags will typically suggest a 12" distance between plants but they will grow much closer together and fill in very nicely). Can grow up to 12" tall. Pinch off heads of old flowers to promote new growth.

Brocade Marigold

I started with Brocade Marigold's from Lake Valley Seeds. The method I used to start the seeds were with peet pods which are these little rounds of dirt that sit inside a plastic container with a see-through lid. You can find these at almost any garden store and are great for starting seeds indoors. The instructions for getting the seeds started in peet pods are included with the pods and are easy to follow. Brocade Marigolds are compact, bushy plants with rich deep-red and bright gold-orange blossoms. They will flower from early spring until frost and are rarely bothered by heat or insects and are very fragrant. (right) These are some Brocade Marigolds I already have planted in my garden.

• Day 1 (06.08.09): Planted two seeds per pod, covered and let sit in a warm, dark spot.
• Day 3 (06.11.09): Sprouts begin to appear.
• Day 10 (06.18.09): Transplanted into terra-cotta pots, trimmed back smaller plant of each pod.
• Day 11 (06.19.09): Plants are about 2" tall with two little leaves and two tiny jagged leaves in the middle. (see right)
• Day 18 (06.26.09): Plants are 3" tall with four large leaves. Stems are turning a reddish green color and are getting thicker.
• Day 54 (08.01.09): Plants are 6" tall with flower buds, some have already bloomed. Transplanted outside. (see bottom right)

Growing Tips: Marigolds prefer full sun and water when top soil is dry. I recommend that you clip the flower heads when they begin to turn downward to encourage new growth and flowering.


Starting from Seed: Start seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Plants may be started indoors four to six weeks before transplanting. Keep young plants evenly moist until established. In mild climates plants may be started in late summer for fall-winter blooms. Plant seeds 2" apart, 1/4" deep, 8 - 10" apart. Sprouts should appear within 5 - 7 days and will grow to an average height of 10 - 12" tall. Plant as an annual.