Marigold
Deadhead relentlessly through summer — like many summer bedding annuals, letting flowers set seed slows and eventually stops new flower production.
Care
Regular watering, especially in pots, but tolerates short dry spells once established.
Free-draining soil of any reasonable fertility.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep the display going right through to the first frost. Pinch out young plants once a few leaves have formed to encourage bushier growth.
No feeding in the ground; in a container a weak liquid feed every few weeks is enough. Well fed, marigolds make leaf rather than flower and go soft enough for aphids to move straight in.
From seed, sown under cover in early spring — cheap, quick and reliable, and F1 bedding strains will not come true from saved seed anyway.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayPlant out once the risk of frost has passed. how ›
- JuneDeadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- JulyOften grown alongside vegetables as a companion plant, said to help deter some pests — a traditional practice, not a guaranteed control method.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out once the risk of frost has passed. how ›
- JuneDeadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- JulyOften grown alongside vegetables as a companion plant, said to help deter some pests — a traditional practice, not a guaranteed control method.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out once the risk of frost has passed. how ›
- MayDeadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- JulyOften grown alongside vegetables as a companion plant, said to help deter some pests — a traditional practice, not a guaranteed control method.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchPlant out once the risk of frost has passed. how ›
- MayDeadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering. how ›
- JulyOften grown alongside vegetables as a companion plant, said to help deter some pests — a traditional practice, not a guaranteed control method.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Ragged holes in leaves, or seedlings disappearing.
What to do. Protect small plants until established.
How to spot it. Fuzzy grey growth on flowers in wet weather, especially double-flowered types after rain.
What to do. Deadhead affected blooms promptly, improve air circulation.
How to spot it. Stretched, sparse plants with few flowers.
What to do. Usually insufficient sun — needs a genuinely open, sunny spot.
Questions
Marigold: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Does very well in pots, window boxes and as summer bedding.
Marigold: when do you prune it?
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep the display going right through to the first frost.
Marigold: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–October.
When do you feed it?
No feeding in the ground; in a container a weak liquid feed every few weeks is enough. Well fed, marigolds make leaf rather than flower and go soft enough for aphids to move straight in.